BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
A national grassroots campaign is asking Australians with Defence connections to help “start the count” in federal electorates where no veteran community records yet exist.
Veterans Count is building a picture of Australia’s Navy, Army and Air Force community, electorate by electorate, across all 150 federal seats. But founder Mark Croxford says some electorates still have no records at all — and he believes the answer lies in the way Defence life spreads people across the country.
“Defence people move. Families move. Friendships and service connections stretch across Australia,” Mr Croxford said.
The campaign is now asking existing supporters to think about who they know in the electorates still showing a blank. The connection doesn’t have to be uniformed service. Family members, carers, clinicians and others who support the veteran community all count.
“Do you know someone connected to Navy, Army or Air Force, past or present — whether through service, family, caring, support, clinical work or another connection?” Mr Croxford said.
Anyone who knows someone in an uncounted electorate is asked to send them the campaign’s 60-second walkthrough, which explains how to take part.
“With your help, we can whittle down the number of electorates with no count and build coverage across all 150,” Mr Croxford said.
The list of electorates still waiting for their first record is at veteranscount.com.au/start-the-count, and the walkthrough video is at veteranscount.com.au/watch.