The Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association (APPVA), is a non-profit, veterans organisation of profession of arms and services that encompasses all operations that have involved Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces Servicemen and Women, Federal and State Police, Philanthropic Organisations (Everyman’s Welfare Service, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc) and Defence Civilians.

Australia’s proud peacekeeping and peacemaking (enforcement) involvement, commenced in Indonesia on 14 September 1947, with four (4) Australian Military officers being the first world peacekeepers by deploying to the United Nations Good Offices Commission in Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). It has since involved the contribution of over 66,000 veterans, who have participated in 73 Operations to 64 different countries non-stop up to the present day with Iraq, Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa and The Solomon Islands. The roles recognised by our association include Warlike and Non-Warlike Operations including Peacekeeping, Peacemaking, United Nations Contingents, Military Observers, Truce Supervision, Emergency Forces, Special Commissions, Humanitarian Aid, Monitoring Forces, Demining Teams and Training Teams – and any other Australian Defence Force (ADF), New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), and Australian Federal, State and Territory Police Operations.

Since 1975 (post Vietnam War), Australia has sent thousands of troops and police to War Service around the world. Most recent and better known operations being the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) Oct 1999 - Feb 2000; The International Coalition Against Terror (ICAT) in Afghanistan 2002; The War in IRAQ 2003 - Present; and again deployment of Special Operations Task Forces to Afghanistan in 2005 - present. The term "Peacemaking", colloquially, in the terms of the APPVA means those ADF members who have served on Warlike Service since 1975. Although under the auspices of the United Nations Charter, "Peacemaking" is a function of diplomatic process, prior to the agreement of the UN Security Council Resolution and prior to the deployment of a Peacekeeping Force (PKF) to a designated mission.

Under the auspices of the APPVA, the term "Peacemaker" realistically reflects Active Service or Warlike Service since 1989, when Australia sent the first Engineer Contingent to Namibia in South West Africa. From 1989 onwards, ADF members have served on warlike service in the following countries:

• UN Transition Assistance Group in Namibia (UNTAG), April 1989 - March 1990;
• The Gulf War (incl Kuwait) 1991;
• The Australian Contingent to the UN Advance Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC), Oct 1991 - May 1992;
• The Australian Contingent to the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), May 1992 - Nov 1993;
• Unified Task Force Somalia (UNITAF), OP SOLACE, The 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Battalion Group, Dec 1992 - May 1993;
• The Second UN Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II), May 1993 - Mar 1995;
• The Australian Contingent to the Second UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR II), May 1994 - May 1995;
• The Australian Contingent to the UN Protection Force in Bosnia/Herzogovnia (UNPROFOR) 1994;
• ADF Members who served on Active Service in the Balkans with Implementation Force (IFOR); Stabilisation Force (SFOR); and Kosovo Force (KFOR);
• International Force, East Timor (INTERFET), Sep 1999 - Feb 2000;
• UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), Feb 2000 - May 2002;
• UN Mission In Support of East Timor (UNMISET), May 2002 - Aug 2003;
• The International Coallition Against Terror (ICAT), 2002 to present;
• Iraq, 2003 to present; and,
• Afghanistan, 2005 to present.

The APPVA provides a comprehensive service to current and ex-serving members of the ADF in all aspects of Military Compensation. We have paid and volunteer specialists that are competent in VEA, SRCA, MCRS, MRCA, DFRDB and MSBS. Visit our website Contact List:
http://peacekeepers.asn.au/contacts.htm to make contact with an APPVA representative in your State. We also provide the same service to those who have served as Police Officers on a range of Peacekeeping and other Operations.

We represent the best interests of our members, constituents current and ex-serving ADF and AFP IDG members to the highest levels of Government and have had a number of successful outcomes.

To enable us to continue this good work, please consider joining the APPVA, in order to help us to help others in need.