ADF People – CONTACT magazine

David Humphry receives his Veteran Defence Common Access Card from Squadron Leader Lancelot Monteiro, alongside Flying Officer Reece Jansen, left, and Warrant Officer Wayne Wilson, right.

Two-year base pass for retiring service members

17/07/202617/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 998 Views 0 Comments

Veterans transitioning to civilian life are now able to continue accessing Defence bases for up to two years under a

Outgoing Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) Admiral David Johnston hands over the CDF ensign to incoming CDF Admiral Mark Hammond during a ceremonial parade at Russell Offices, Canberra. Story by Sergeant Matt Bickerton. Photo by Kym Smith.

ADF ADF People News

New Chief of Defence Force

10/07/202611/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 5122 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force

After nearly 50 years of service, Admiral David Johnston handed over command of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to Admiral

Australian Army officer Captain Ian Eagle and New Zealand Defence Force soldier Lance Corporal Aaron Marinus during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area. Photo by Private Alli Craig.

ADF People

Anzac spirit strong at Southern Jackeroo

09/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 726 Views 0 Comments Exercise Southern Jackaroo, NZDF, Reservists

Two former New Zealand cavalry soldiers have reunited in Townsville nearly a decade after first serving together. CAPTION: Australian Army

The recently launched Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency will strengthen support for veterans and families of veterans, and will provide access to support services for ADF members transitioning to civilian life. Story by Hannah Donald. Photo by Rohan Thomson.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Centralised support for veterans and their families

02/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 968 Views 0 Comments DVA

Defence has welcomed the launch of the Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency on July 1, marking an important step in

Air Force personnel celebrate at the Ower’s Corner Kokoda Track monument, Papua New Guinea. Story by Taster Murdoch.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Air Force

Leading through resilience

02/07/202604/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1091 Views 0 Comments Air Mobility Group (AMG), Kokoda Track

Air Mobility Group (AMG) personnel are accustomed to operating in demanding environments, preparing for uncertainty and responding when called upon.

HMAS Moreton hosts a 100th birthday celebration for World War II veteran Doris Fay Royle. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos by Warrant Officer Shane Cameron.

ADF People History Royal Australian Navy

A century of service and spirit

25/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 735 Views 0 Comments

HMAS Moreton welcomed one of its earliest members home on June 16, as World War II veteran Doris Fay Royle marked her

Commanding Officer 100 Squadron Wing Commander Richard Brougham, left, and 100 Squadron Warrant Officer Andrew Doyle, right, sit with Ted McConchie to watch the Anzac Day commemorations together. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti.

ADF People History Veterans

Honouring past and present generations

04/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1707 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, No. 100 Squadron, RAAF Point Cook

A 102-year-old Second World War veteran has reconnected with the Air Force squadron he served with more than 80 years

Private Michael Staszak, centre-left, receives orders from his platoon commander before a patrol as part of Exercise Menin Blade at Singleton Military Area, NSW. Story and photo by Corporal Michael Rogers.

ADF People

Back where he belongs

04/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1088 Views 0 Comments 2nd/17th Battalion Royal NSW Regiment (2/17RNSWR), Army Reserve, Exercise Menin Blade, Singleton Military Area

Despite the rain and cold, leading a section of infantry through the scrub makes Private Michael Staszak feel at home.

ADF personnel form a catafalque party for an Anzac Day dawn service in Darwin City. Story by Captain Nicholas Marquis. Photo by Corporal Gregory Scott.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Large crowds gather for Anzac Day in Top End

08/05/202608/05/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1154 Views 0 Comments 1st Brigade, ANZAC Day

As flags at half-mast gently moved with the cool breeze in the Top End, thousands of Territorians commemorated Anzac Day

ADF People History Lest We Forget Videos

Anzac Day 2026 Around the World

01/05/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1289 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day

On Anzac Day, we mark the landings at Gallipoli of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers in 1915

Wing Commander Patrick Bridge honours his great-uncle Private Donald Arthur Bridge in Gapeyong, South Korea, at the 75th anniversary of the Korean War Kapyong battle. Story by Squadron Leader Bel Culley.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Remembering the Battle of Kapyong

01/05/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1090 Views 0 Comments Kapyong, Korean War

In a solemn tribute to the past and a firm nod to the future, Australian Defence Force (ADF) members serving

Chief of Joint Capabilities Lieutenant General Susan Coyle hugs Rick Deeks during the Anzac Day service at the Bullecourt Digger Memorial in France. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photos by Sergeant Jarrod McAneney.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Commemoration becomes personal for relatives

01/05/202601/05/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 666 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Bullecourt, ww1

At the Bullecourt Digger Memorial on Anzac Day, the commemorative address took on an unexpectedly personal meaning for one family

Able Seaman Isabella Anderson and Lieutenant Craig Grant on board the Japanese Ship Kumano, during a port visit to Melbourne. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Andrew Murphy. Photos by Leading Seaman James McDougall.

ADF People News Royal Australian Navy

Aussies learn the lay of the land at sea

01/05/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 894 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force

Two Royal Australian Navy (RAN) members have been forging connections at sea on board the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force frigate

3 Squadron personnel, who raised funds in this year’s March On, in front of a 3 Squadron F-35A Lightning II aircraft at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Evana Ho. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Elise Ross.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Marching On for mental health

29/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 667 Views 0 Comments Air Warfare Instructors Course, March On, mental health, No. 3 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown, Soldier On

Across March, members from 3 Squadron balanced running the Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC) with putting in the hard yards

Second Lieutenant Duncan McKenzie has been identified a century after World War I.

ADF People Australian Army Europe History Lest We Forget News

Unknown no more: two WWI soldiers identified

29/04/202603/05/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 926 Views 0 Comments Battle of Fromelles, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Passchendaele, Third Battle of Ypres, WWI

More than a century after they were killed in action in World War I, the remains of two missing Australian

Gunner Daniel Mazzaferri, of Australia’s Federation Guard, at Lone Pine Cemetery on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Türkiye. Story by Flying Officer Freya Hansen. Photos by Corporal Andrew Shaw.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Gallipoli’s living legacy

24/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 401 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, WWI

Australia’s Federation Guard has made its annual trip to the battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Türkiye. CAPTION: Gunner Daniel

An all‑female Federation Guard catafalque party reflects on Lieutenant Irene Singleton's legacy and the broader contributions of women in military service. Story and photos by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Remembering nurse’s contribution to military history

24/04/202624/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 391 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, WWII

An Australian Army nurse killed in World War II was honoured by an all‑female catafalque party during a Last Post

Able Seaman Rachel Brandt lays poppies for her great-great uncle at the Bapaume Communal Cemetery in Bapaume, France. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photos by Sergeant Jarrod McAneney.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Sailor’s personal connection to the Western Front

24/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 366 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, WWI

On March 25, 1917, in Bapaume, France, Lance Corporal Jules Schuller of the 20th Infantry Battalion was sheltering in a

Veteran Robert Dean when he was a young soldier, after returning to Hobart hospital for a hand injury in 1967. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Marching memories forward

24/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 378 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion RAR, Long Tan, Vietnam War

Witnessing what artillery and bullets can do to a man following the carnage of Long Tan in 1966 has stayed

Australia’s Federation Guard alongside the Royal Australian Navy Band visits memorial sights from the Western Front in France prior to partaking in Anzac Day 2025 dawn services. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

French town where war dead are not forgotten

22/04/202622/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 611 Views 0 Comments

In the farming country of northern France, a small town carries a quiet Australian accent. CAPTION: Australia’s Federation Guard alongside

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