Visionary alliance delivers defence health benefits

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Danna Vale and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Mal Brough today launched a unique education and research centre to lead the development of health initiatives for defence and veterans’ communities.

The Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH) will have long-term health benefits for Australia’s past, present and future Defence personnel, The University of Queensland’s Vice Chancellor, Professor John Hay said.

Professor Hay said the Centre represented a unique alliance that combined the knowledge and skills of academic, research and Defence sectors.

The Centre is the product of a consortia led by The University of Queensland, in partnership with The University of Adelaide and the Menzies School of Health Research, formed to meet the needs of Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs. The Centre’s main focus will be to provide professional development and training for defence health care providers. It will also lead research into human performance and Defence and Veterans’ health matters.

“The Centre is a visionary alliance that links top educational and research institutions with the Defence and Veterans’ health services. It will help generate the healthcare knowledge and skills needed to support Australia’s modern Defence capabilities,” Professor Hay said.

The Director of the Menzies School of Health Research (MSHR), Professor Kerin O`Dea, said that the MSHR was well positioned to join forces on this initiative as leaders in the field of tropical health research.

"MSHR values the opportunity to collaborate on the important questions of tropical health particularly given our strategic base in Darwin where a large contingent of Defence personnel train and reside, and there is a strong clinical tropical medicine tradition,” Professor O’Dea said.

The University of Adelaide’s Professor Sandy MacFarlane said the Centre was an example of how government and the tertiary sector should work together for the benefit of the nation.

“This initiative embodies an unusual opportunity to ensure the highest standards of training for Defence health personnel and support the commitment of the ADF to its members,” he said.

As well as education, the Centre will focus on health research, e-health and establishment of a strategic think tank with high-level input to the Defence health debate.

Former Queensland Governor, Major General Peter Arnison, AC, CVO, has been
appointed Chairman of the CMVH Board. Maj. Gen. Arnison combines a strong
academic background with a distinguished military career. He completed his
Army service as Land Commander Australia, responsible for Army operational
forces. He holds academic qualifications in defence studies, economics,
finance and investment.

The CMVH will be located at The University of Queensland’s Mayne Medical School in Brisbane. A satellite facility will be located within the School of Medicine at the University of Adelaide.

For more information, please contact Faculty of Health Sciences communications officer Marlene McKendry on (07 3346 4713, 0401 996 847 or email: m.mckendry@uq.edu.au)