United magazine Summer 2019

VICTORY FOR VETERANS
Some years ago when USU Manager North Stephen Hughes watched an ABC program about the Veterans
Employment Program it began a campaign to include Local Government in the Program. While some Councils
have embraced the Program many have not. Stephen Hughes explains why it is such an important initiative.
A couple of years ago I saw a
program on the ABC regarding
a story about the Veterans
Employment Program that had
just been established by the
NSW Government with the aim of
assisting and educating Veterans
and retiring Veterans regarding
employment opportunities within
the NSW State Government run
entities, such as police, prisons,
and transport.
LTCOL Ret
Craig Delaney
addressed the
USU’s State
conference in
October.
At the time this was being headed up by
Retired Major Garth Callandar who was
our first casualty in Iraq when his vehicle
was blown up by an IED.
Garth suffered significant injuries which
led to his retirement from the Australian
Army.
I reached out to Garth as I wanted to see
this worthwhile program extended into
NSW Councils.
As an ex-serviceman myself where I
served as an infantry rifleman and forward
scout in 3RAR including overseas
service in south east Asia I had basically
been lucky enough to stumble into a
job in Narrabri Shire Council, initially as
part of the old red scheme in 1984 after
my enlistment period ended.
I had never considered a job in local
government as a career but once I got
the chance I made the best of it.
NSW Councils exist in almost every part
of the state where communities exist.
It provides local services in more vocations
and communities by far than either
the Federal or State Governments
in most communities.
No other employer has the coverage
which can provide a significant range of
employment opportunities to their local
communities, which also include our
deserved Veterans.
The organisational structures of
Councils which include teams, gangs
and departments, in many ways mirror
the structures found in the military
and offer opportunities for advancement
from trainee and entry level right
up to the trades, professions and Senior
Management.
Our Veterans come from every part of
our State and many would want to return
to their communities (particularly
regional) if opportunities for local employment
were available.
Today far too many Australians are ending
up living on the streets and Veterans
unfortunately appear to be over represented
in these circumstances, that no
person in a country like Australia should
ever find themselves in.
After contacting Garth and with the support
and approval of the USU General
Secretary Mr Graeme Kelly, we set
up joint meetings with the Office of
Local Government and the Employer’s
Association (LGNSW) as well as the then
Minister for Local Government’s office.
This resulted in Government support
and funding to develop the program to
include NSW Councils.
22 • United Summer 2019