Partners of Veterans Association of Australia

21/08/2026

🎶 THE BAND IS BOOKED. THE TABLES ARE SET. NOW WE NEED YOU.

The Royal Military College Band Contemporary Ensemble is joining us LIVE for the Honouring the Hidden Service Gala Dinner at the Australian War Memorial.

This is a night for the whole veteran community — serving members, veterans, partners, widows and widowers, children, families, carers, ESOs and friends — across every generation of Australian service.

🥂 Fine dining
🎶 Live music & entertainment
🏅 Awards
🎤 Guest speakers
✨ All inside the magnificent ANZAC Atrium

Friday 16 October | 7.00pm for 7.30pm
Black Tie/Formal | Mess Dress & miniatures welcome

🎟️ P.V.A. Members: $150 + booking fee
🎟️ Non-Members: $175 + booking fee

Not a member? There’s a rather obvious solution to that. 😉

Join P.V.A. and save on your Gala ticket:
https://pva.org.au/join-us/

🔥 Grab your partner. Rally your mates. Get your ESO together. Book a table.

We want to fill the ANZAC Atrium with the veteran community and give generations of Defence families the recognition they deserve.

DON’T JUST HEAR ABOUT IT AFTERWARDS. BE IN THE ROOM.

🎟️ Book now:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1993091266631

17/08/2026

For every partner who waited. Every child who said goodbye. Every family who carried on.

Across generations of Australian military service, families have served too.

On 16 October, it’s their turn to be honoured.

It’s time to fill the ANZAC Atrium.

On 16 October 2026, the Australian War Memorial will host a very special evening beneath the iconic F-111 — the Honouring the Hidden Service Gala Dinner.

And this isn’t just for partners.

If you’re part of Australia’s Defence and veteran community, this night is for you.

Serving members. Veterans. Partners. Families. Carers. ESOs. Advocates. Defence industry. Health professionals. Researchers. Supporters. Friends.

Come together for a night of:

✨ Fine dining
🎶 Live entertainment
🎤 Guest speakers
🏅 Awards recognising outstanding contribution to the veteran community
🥂 Good company — and a chance to actually enjoy ourselves!

7.00pm for 7.30pm
📍 ANZAC Atrium, Australian War Memorial
🎩 Black Tie / Formal
🎖️ Military Mess Dress (Mess Kit) and miniature medals warmly welcomed.

P.V.A. Members — $150 + booking fee
Non-Members — $175 + booking fee

Already coming to the Wreath Laying or Symposium?

Don’t go home afterwards.

Get dressed up, bring your partner and finish the day with us.

Better yet — grab your mates, your ESO, your workplace or your State Executive and make up a table of ten.

Help us fill the room and make a very visible statement:

The service of Australia’s Defence and veteran Partners and families matters.

🎟️ BOOK YOUR GALA TICKET:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1993091266631

Join us for a night to celebrate and appreciate the unsung heroes making a real difference!

06/08/2026

Are you looking for accomodation for the 16 October 2026? Look at neighbouring Queanbeyan - lots of opportunities in Queanbeyan and only a short taxi trip away!

https://www.touristqueanbeyan.com.au/stay-with-us

17/07/2026

17/07/2026

Missed out on a Symposium ticket? There may still be a chance!

A small number of additional Symposium tickets for Honouring the Hidden Service (16 October 2026) are available for allocation.

✅ Paid-up P.V.A. members will receive first priority.

Not a member? Consider joining P.V.A. to improve your opportunity to secure a ticket while supporting Australia’s leading organisation for Defence and veteran partners, families and carers.

What you need to do:
• Contact your State P.V.A. Secretary by 31 July 2026.
• State Secretaries are coordinating a single consolidated return to the Event Management Team.
• Please provide your full name, email address and mobile number when registering your interest.

For your State P.V.A. contact, visit www.pva.org.au.

Please note: Registering your interest does not guarantee a ticket. Tickets will be allocated based on availability, with priority given to paid-up financial members of P.V.A.

08/07/2026

Missed out on Symposium tickets? Don't give up just yet!

The response to Honouring the Hidden Service has been incredible, and while Symposium registrations have been in high demand, we may still be able to help.
I
f you missed out and would still like to attend, please contact the Event Manager at [email protected] or speak with your P.V.A. State Secretary.

💛 Join us on Friday, 16 October 2026 at the Australian War Memorial as we recognise the extraordinary contribution of Australia's Defence and veteran families.

🌿 National Commemorative Service & Wreath Laying
🕘 9:00 am – 9:30 am (FREE – registrations essential)

🎓 National Symposium
🕙 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

✨ Honouring the Hidden Service Gala Dinner
🥂 7:00 pm for a 7:30 pm commencement
📍 ANZAC Atrium, Australian War Memorial

Gather your family, friends, colleagues or veteran community and join us for a truly special evening celebrating the people who have stood beside those who serve. Enjoy fine dining, inspiring guest speakers, entertainment and the warmth of friendship in one of Australia's most iconic venues.

🎟 Book your Gala Dinner tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1993091266631?aff=oddtdtcreator

Together, let's ensure that Australia's Hidden Service is hidden no longer.

The wattle is our symbol—representing resilience, remembrance and the strength of the families who quietly serve beside those in uniform.

08/07/2026

03/07/2026

🇦🇺 HONOURING THE HIDDEN SERVICE – NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM 🇦🇺

This is a unique opportunity to hear from some of Australia's most respected leaders, policymakers, clinicians and advocates as they explore the challenges, sacrifices and enduring strength of veteran families.

🎤 Featured Speakers

Alison Frame
Secretary, Department of Veterans' Affairs
Providing the Australian Government's perspective on the evolving veteran family landscape and the importance of supporting families throughout the service journey.

Annabelle Wilson
Veteran Family Commissioner
Sharing insights into the realities faced by military and veteran families and why their contribution deserves greater national recognition.

Charlotte Webb
Defence Families of Australia
Exploring the vital role families play in supporting serving members and veterans, and why they remain central to Defence capability.

Brigadier Kahlil Fegan DSC AM
Repatriation Commissioner
Discussing the importance of recognising families throughout rehabilitation, recovery and transition from military service.

A/Prof Alexander (Alex) Y.C. Lim, FRANZCP
Consultant Psychiatrist
Examining the impact of military service on partners and families, including mental health, caring responsibilities, compassion fatigue, family relationships and resilience.

Cathy Every
A compassionate discussion on supporting families through death, dying, bereavement and the lifelong impact military service can have on grief.

Ben Maguire AM
Founder, Remount
Sharing an inspiring perspective on rebuilding purpose, identity and connection after service, and the important role families play in that journey.

Throughout the day, attendees will also enjoy:
☕ Morning Tea
🍽️ Lunch
🤝 Community Support Showcase
💬 Panel Discussions and Audience Q&A
🌿 Networking with organisations dedicated to supporting veterans and their families
🎟️ The National Symposium is FREE to attend, but registrations are essential.

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/honouring-the-hidden-service-national-symposium-tickets-1992616217747
Together, let's recognise the strength, sacrifice and resilience of those whose service has too often gone unseen.
Because behind every uniform is a family that serves too.

30/06/2026

🇦🇺 Honouring the Hidden Service – Registrations Open!
Join us at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra on Friday, 16 October 2026 for the inaugural Honouring the Hidden Service event.
A powerful day recognising the partners, spouses, carers and families who stand beside Australia’s veterans and serving members.
✨ Commemorative Service
✨ National Symposium
✨ Community Support Showcase
✨ Gala Dinner
🎟 View all events and register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/partners-of-veterans-australia-121492682015?aff=ebdsshcopyurl
P.V.A. members receive discounted Gala Dinner tickets. Join here:
https://pva.org.au/join-us/
Let’s make the hidden service seen.

Become a Member Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. The Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc. ARBN 105-524-972 ABN 95-105-524-972 Patron: Lady Lynne Cosgrove APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Personal Information collected by the Association is used at State and/or....