Support for a New Zealand Veteran in Australia

After joining the New Zealand Army in 1977, I enjoyed a diverse and rewarding 34 year military career.

Following my studies at the RNZAF Command and Staff College, I was appointed Deputy Director Joint Operations at Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force followed by Commanding Officer 16th Field Regiment.

I deployed to Angola in 1992 with UNAVEM, becoming the longest-serving NZDF member on that mission. It was a challenging mission that tested all the skills that I had been trained in by the Army, and NZDF.

I later served in East Timor as Chief of Staff for Sector West (2000)* and in Bougainville participated in Operation Coracle to recover PNGDF and Solomon Islander Prisoners of war**. I also served as J3 at HQ JFNZ and visited Afghanistan a number of times in that role.

I now reside in Brisbane, and from 2020 my vision began to deteriorate. By 2025 my eyesight was blurred, and everything had a yellow tinge to it.

I applied for support from Veterans' Affairs, and they accepted my condition as service related and helped me get ophthalmological treatment for my cataracts.

There is a reciprocal arrangement between the New Zealand and Australian Veterans' departments, so my treatment went ahead with support from Australia's Department of Veterans' Affairs.

It was life changing. My vision was restored and I can drive safely and enjoy the pleasure of seeing again, unaided by spectacles.

The service and support I have received from Veterans' Affairs has always been first class and professional. I can only recommend them.

The untold story of the daring NZ SAS mission to rescue UN personnel in West Timor | Stuff ** Spears, machetes and guns in daring POW rescue | Stuff.(external link)