News

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights," says world-renowned feminist, journalist and social and political activist Gloria Steinem.

Within Defence, LTCOL Lara Bullpitt-Troy thrives in her role as the Commanding Officer of Joint Logistics Unit-North. A proud mother of two young boys, Lara has witnessed a positive change in the way that diversity and International Women’s Day (IWD) is embraced across the nation.

Read more ...

'Serving in Silence' the untold history of Australia’s LGBTI service personnel was launched earlier this week by Alex Grenwich, MP and supported by DEFGLIS president Vince Chong.

This exhibition brings to light the contributions of brave LGBTI service men and women performing combat and support roles, and the families that emerged in the most extraordinary of circumstances.
     - Vince Chong, DEFGLIS President

The TAP Art Gallery & Function House hosts the 'Serving in Silence' exhibition until Sunday 4th March following the successful installation at the State Gallery in Melbourne during the Midsumma Festival.

Read more ...

Over 75 years of LGBTI military service in Australia was presented by Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives and City of Melbourne Library Service.

To commemorate 25 years since lifting the LGB ban, this exhibition showcases the history of LGBTI military service in Australia since World War II.

The exhibition brings together photographs, objects, documents and the life stories of current and former service personnel to explore how LGBTI Defence members navigated their lives in the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force.

Read more ...

DEFGLIS memebr Rachel recalls her time on peace-keeping operations on board HMAS Tokbruk.

I was part of the ships force protection team.

I conducted wharf sentry duties, which included talking to the locals and helping them understand that we were there to help.

I also drove the Army troops ashore on our organise LCVP, small transport craft.

I remember seeing the happiness on the faces of the local kids when they knew we were there to help.

They would gather of an afternoon at the boundary fence to talk to us. They would follow the Army LAV's down the street clapping and waving at them.

You knew it was volatile, so you had to be on guard all the time, I recall gun fire and small explosions.By the end we had more friends then enemy's and the ARMY troops loved coming onboard to get some

By the end we had more friends then enemies in Dili.

The Army troops loved coming onboard to get some well-deserved feed and sleep, before heading back out for another security rotation.

The Govenor-General said that it was important to aspire to peace, humanity and compassion.

“It’s much harder to achieve peace and to actually protect the vulnerable and the dispossessed.

“It seems part of the human condition to want it with every fibre of our being, but never to attain perfect peace.

“Well, for 70 years Australian peacekeepers have served and sacrificed in the name of peace and this continues to this day.”

The Governor General said in missions right across the world, from the Middle East to Africa, from Asia to the Pacific, Australian peacekeepers were distinguished by their dedication and courage.

“Protecting children from abuse and exploitation, freeing others from a life as child soldiers, supporting democratic elections that are free and fair, stepping in in times of crisis and conflict,” he said.

“They do so to make the peace, to keep the peace, and honour those before them.

“In their blue berets, peacekeepers are a symbol of hope, they save lives, they change lives, they restore order, and bring security and stability.”

Image by Jay Cronan for Department of Defence