The following article was reproduced from ‘Frontline’ The Additional Disablement Amount (ADA) is a new payment being introduced from 1 July 2026, when all new claims for compensation and rehabilitation will be assessed under the improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). The ADA is similar to the Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) benefit available under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA). It will provide support for veterans over pension age with a high degree of impairment due to service-caused injuries or illness once the VEA is closed to new compensation claims. Benefits for veterans and dependants Veterans who are eligible for the ADA will receive a Veteran Gold Card. Eligible dependants will also have access to education assistance and compensation following the death of the veteran, including a Veteran Gold Card. Partners of veterans who were eligible for the ADA at the time of their death and who meet the MRCA criteria of ‘Wholly Dependent Partner’ will be entitled to compensation and a Veteran Gold Card. The children of deceased ADA veterans will also receive an eligible young person payment (if applicable) and access to the MRCA education scheme as well as a Veteran Gold Card. Useful information An Additional Disablement Amount (ADA) fact sheet is available on the DVA website. Other resources to help the veteran community understand the changes from 1 July 2026 include: • an information booklet • more than 20 fact sheets and summaries for particular groups, including VEA veterans and their partners, DRCA veterans, and the children of veterans • scenarios that demonstrate how the improved MRCA may impact individual circumstances • frequently asked questions For more information visit www.dva.gov.au/veteranslegislation Phone Calls Over the last couple of months, I have spoken to several Old Boys including Johno, Dave Alderton and PJ Smith who is currently back in Vietnam leading a small group around both the north and south. Always great to hear what Old Boys are up to. Happy Birthday Happy birthday to 108th Battery for 1 September. The Battery was raised on 1 September 1965 at Wacol. Happy birthday to our National Flag which was first flown on 3 September 1901- the year of Federation. 3 September is celebrated each year as Australian National Flag Day. Artillery Calendar – by Brigadier John Cox (Rtd) The idea of an Australian Artillery Calendar for serving and retired Gunners has been on agendas for decades. August might hold the record with its 20 ‘defining moments’. This trial intentionally provides month size bites of calendar information. The trial’s previous
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