Supporting Defence personnel on Anzac Day

In the lead-up to Anzac Day, Australians are encouraged to show their support for Australian Defence Force members, particularly those deployed on overseas operations.

The most effective way to show support is to send an email message to the troops at supportthetroops [at] defence.gov.au. These messages are widely circulated and much appreciated by Defence members.

The ADF also encourages the public to consider making a lasting contribution to personnel who have deployed, and their families, by donating to the RSL, Legacy or Soldier On.

The RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund prepares care packages that are dispatched twice each year to Defence, Australian Federal Police and other Government Agency personnel deployed on operations. These care packs contain various non-perishable items, a letter of appreciation on behalf of all Australians, and RSL Membership contact details. Importantly, these packs are professionally prepared and meet all Defence and host nation transport and import requirements. Donations to the RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund can be made at http://www.rsl.org.au/Support-Us. Donations over $2 are tax deductible, and every donation is individually acknowledged by the RSL.

For members of the public wishing to send parcels to deployed personnel for Anzac Day 2013, the Australian Forces Post Office box address below will be open until 12 April. 

An Australian Defence Member
AFPO 60
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

In order to ensure an equitable distribution of parcels it is requested that all donations be gender-neutral, and be addressed to ‘An Australian Defence Member’, not to a specific job title, trade or unit member.

Please note Defence can not accept care packages for Military Working Dogs or Explosive Detection Dogs due to strict care requirements relating to both their diet and their training programs.

To ensure that all items are able to be delivered to our deployed forces, donors are asked to ensure that packages are of non-perishable goods. Previous experience has shown that items that are not robustly packaged can break open during transit, which can lead to infestation and spoilage of perishable goods. Defence cannot send perished or infested items overseas.

All items must be submitted to an Australia Post outlet by the cut-off date of 12 April, and meet the requirements and restrictions detailed on the Defence website at: http://www.defence.gov.au/people/message_to_troops.htm 

Media contact:  Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999