Advocacy

Kilcoy RSL Sub Branch DVA Advocacy

Dear Members

My name is Francis “Blue” Reidy and I have recently built a home in Kilcoy. Prior to our arrival in Kilcoy, both Linda and I lived in Brisbane where I was a Major in Australia Army and retired after 40 years’ service in June 2019. My Corps was the Royal Australian Medical Corps where I gained integral knowledge and experience on managing medical administration and the Department of Veteran Affairs claim management systems. In 2016, I commenced my Advocate training under Mr Ken Cullen who has and continues to mentor me through the Advocate training modules.

 I am keen to speak with each veteran and their spouses and or partners to establish a relationship with the RSL and the greater Kilcoy community. My immediate aim in to ensure that all veterans within Kilcoy and surrounding catchment areas are receiving their entitlements based on their service to this great country. With the assist of the Kilcoy RSL Sub Branch management team, I will provide Advocate Services to veterans on Tuesday Mornings from 9 am – 12 pm. If you need to come and see me, please email me, or call me on the details provided below to make an appointment.

Initial Observations

  1. Veterans need to ensure they have setup a MYGOV Account to enable them to gain access to the Department of Veteran Affairs Portal. This portal provides you with existing accepted conditions in relationship to your service in the ADF and provides several letters if you are entitled to subsidised resources, example, registrations, council rates and water rates to only name a few. You can also complete travel requests where the department will reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses associated to medical treatment of accepted service-related conditions.
  • Several veterans have not applied for their white cards. All veterans who served in the ADF are entitled to a white card and liability for treatment for Mental Health Conditions.
  • Several veterans with accepted service-related medical conditions are relying on friends and family to transport them to their medical appointments.  All Veterans are entitled to book DVA sponsored transport to attend all medical appointments if the condition has been accepted by DVA. Carers and spouses can also attend appointment with the veteran in the same transport. GOLD card holders can use DVA sponsored transport for all Medical and dental appointments.
  • A Several veterans have been attending medical appointment for conditions accepted by DVA, using their own private motor vehicles. Be aware that you can seek reimbursement for all cost associated to attendance at Medical appointments for conditions accepted by DVA. Reimbursements include Km’s travelled to and from appointment, Parking, Tolls, accommodation and meals.

Once again, I look forward to supporting our veteran community in the further and Linda and I look forward to establishing new friendship in the Kilcoy community.

Blue Reidy

Francis (Blue) Reidy, OAM

Advocate Kilcoy RSL Sub Branch

Mobile Phone: 0400727026

My Private Email:  francis_reidy@bigpond.com

Kilcoy RSL Sub Branch Email: info@kilcoy.rslqld.net.au

Kilcoy RSL has arrangements in place for Advocates to work at home as much as possible to contribute to the Nation’s agenda to minimise social interaction and support social distancing. To assist us it would be appreciated if you could communicate with me via email using this address francis_reidy@bigpond.com and info info@kilcoy.rslqld.net.au on all future correspondence.