NEWS HEADLINES

Nation to mark 25 years since first Australian deployment to Afghanistan

BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’

 As the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan approaches, we invite you to join the nation in recognising the service and sacrifices of all who served.

On 11 October 2026, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will deliver a national commemorative service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, marking 25 years since the commencement of Operation Slipper, Australia’s first Australian Defence Force operation in Afghanistan.

The service will honour all Australians who served in Afghanistan and the Middle East Area of Operations in relation to Afghanistan, the families who supported them, and the coalition partners, including Afghan nationals, alongside whom Australians served.

Attendance at the national commemorative service is free. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be broadcast live on the ABC. For event information, including accessibility and transport arrangements, and to register, visit www.dva.gov.au/Afghanistan-anniversary. 

Share a tribute on the Wall of Remembrance

As we prepare to mark this significant anniversary, we also invite you to contribute to the Wall of Remembrance.

The virtual Wall is an evolving, community-led tribute where Australians can share a personal reflection, memory, or message honouring those who served. Each contribution helps create a lasting tribute to those who served and the families who supported them. 

We encourage you to share information about both the commemorative service and the Wall of Remembrance with your networks, helping more Australians honour and remember the Afghanistan veteran community.

Story courtesy of Department of Veterans’ Affairs 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE NEWS

Students get a close-up look at Defence careers

More than 100 Western Australian students spent a day exploring life in uniform when Royal Australian Air Force Association WA hosted an inaugural ADF Careers Day on Tuesday 11 August. Nine school groups, comprising 117 students from Midland Learning Academy, Belmont...

Proposed allied health threshold will not proceed

 The Australian Government has decided not to proceed with the proposed $5,000 allied health service threshold due to start on 1 July 2027. This means eligible Veteran Card holders will continue to access allied health treatment under the current arrangements.  The...

Tweed Heads veteran hub opens its doors to the community

 The North Coast Veteran and Family Hub in Tweed Heads will hold a free Community Open Day this Saturday, 26 September, giving locals a chance to see the services and support on offer to veterans and their families across the region. The event runs from 10am to 2pm at...

Hobart Remembers The Ones Who Waited

More than forty years of Battle of Britain commemoration in Hobart closed at the Cenotaph on Sunday, where the National Vice President of the Air Force Association turned her address from the pilots to the households that waited for them. Wing Commander Deanna Nott...