Defence in Business

Defence in Business held its latest event in Melbourne this week with the "Veteran Support Teams" theme attracting a large audience at the office of Bupa Australia. (Photos attached)

The event brought together ADF serving members, veterans, employers, business owners, and supporters - to connect, exchange insights, and explore current and emerging business and career opportunities. It was a stimulating evening with a lively conversations after an entertaining and interactive panel discussion with veteran support leaders .

Very grateful to Peter Whitelaw from Melbourne RSL for organising and MCing, and welcoming the panel speakers:
- Sue Cattermole CEO at RSL Victoria
- Greg YORKE for Australian National Veterans Arts Museum
- Jordana Patterson COO at Melbourne Legacy
- Steven Woodward Corporate Partnerships Manager at Soldier On Australia
- Tracey Jobling Community Engagement Coordinator at Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling (DVA).

We are building the DiB Victoria team, so please reach out to Blake Barrett or Peter Whitelaw if you are willing to help to deliver meaningful events with interesting speakers, facilitated networking, and actionable takeaways.

Tickets are on sale for our next Melbourne event on 15 Oct "AI Masterclass - Career Translation Workshop" https://www.facebook.com/events/2287716065372121/

Speaker update for the "Veteran Support Teams" Defence in Business Networking Event in Melbourne on the 29 Jul. Get your tickets now! https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/veteran-support-teams-tickets-1986180211479?aff=oddtdtcreator

Greg YORKE is presenting for Australian National Veterans Arts Museum. Greg Yorke AM CSC has held a non executive Director position on the ANVAM Board since 2017. He is also the Chair of the Victorian Veterans Council, providing advice on Veteran’s matters to the Victorian State Government, through the state Minister for Veterans.

Greg is a retired member of the Royal Australian Navy having served for over 40 years in the permanent Navy and as an active reserve. He has worked as a principal warfare officer in the Executive Branch, having completed many sea postings including exchange in HMS Liverpool and two most successful commands, HMAS Gladstone, a Fremantle class patrol boat, and HMAS Arunta, an Anzac class frigate.

He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for his leadership role as Chief Staff Officer (Operations) Maritime Headquarters during Operation Falconer (Iraq 2) in 2003. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours for exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy in senior command positions.

Greg also had a successful second career as a management consultant during a 10-year absence from the Navy and since retirement has returned to that career path.

We are looking forward to hearing from the following five speakers connecting with veterans at the event:
- Sue Cattermole CEO at RSL Victoria
- Jordana Patterson COO at Melbourne Legacy
- Steven Woodward Corporate Partnerships Manager at Soldier On Australia
- Tracey Jobling Community Engagement Coordinator at Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling (DVA).

Use the "DiBFacebook" promotion code to save 10% on your ticket here - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/veteran-support-teams-tickets-1986180211479?aff=oddtdtcreator

Kindly supported by Bupa Australia and Melbourne RSL

Veteran Support Teams Join us in person to connect with others who understand the veteran journey and to explore practical support, services and opportunities.

One week to go for the "Veteran Support Teams" Defence in Business Networking Event in Melbourne on the 29 Jul. Get your tickets now! https://www.facebook.com/events/1446523436952167

Bupa Australia is proud to partner and host the Defence in Business Veteran Support Teams Business Networking Event. Since 2019, Bupa has supported ADF members, Veterans and their families as a contracted health partner to the ADF and Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Bupa are proudly a Veteran Friendly Employer, with many ex-service personnel working directing in our ADF and DVA businesses as well as across the full scope of Bupa’s service lines.

Bupa Australia employees more than 18,000 people supporting more than 5 million customers.
- They are one of the largest health insurers in Australia, covering approximately 2.36 million members and 4.6 million insured Australians.
- Establishing a truly national healthcare network of more than 270 medical centres, Urgent Care Clinics allied health (dental, optical & hearing), mental health and speciality services locations.
- A trusted partner to Government across key health contracts with ADF, DVA and Department of Home Affairs.
- National network of 57 aged care homes supporting more than 5,550 residents.

Bupa welcome the following five speakers and look forward to connecting at the event:
- Sue Cattermole CEO at RSL Victoria
- Greg YORKE for Australian National Veterans Arts Museum
- Jordana Patterson COO at Melbourne Legacy
- Steven Woodward Corporate Partnerships Manager at Soldier On Australia
- Tracey Jobling Community Engagement Coordinator at Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling (DVA).

Use the "DiBFacebook10" promotion code to save 10% on your ticket here - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/veteran-support-teams-tickets-1986180211479?aff=oddtdtcreator

Veteran Support Teams Join us in person to connect with others who understand the veteran journey and to explore practical support, services and opportunities.

Melbourne RSL affiliates with several ex-service organisations that support veterans, serving ADF members and families. Through its partnership with Defence in Business we have asked representatives of Soldier On, Australian National Veteran Art Museum (ANVAM), Melbourne Legacy, DVA Open Arms and RSL Victoria to present an overview of their services at a networking event “Veteran Support Teams” on the 29th July 2026. See: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/veteran-support-teams-tickets-1986180211479?aff.

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides free, confidential mental health and wellbeing support for current and former Australian Defence Force members and their families.

Founded by Australia’s Vietnam veterans, Open Arms understands military service, transition, deployment, separation from family, trauma, grief and the challenges that can come with life during and after Defence service. Its counsellors and staff are military-aware, and many have lived experience of service or military family life.

Open Arms offers individual, couple and family counselling, available face-to-face, by telephone and online. Support can help with anxiety, depression, stress, anger, trauma, PTSD, relationship difficulties, family change, transition to civilian life and bereavement. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 011 046.

Open Arms also provides group treatment programs, education workshops, online programs, self-help resources, care coordination for complex needs, and a Community and Peer Program where trained peer workers with lived experience walk alongside veterans and families.

Eligibility includes current serving Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, ADF members transitioning to civilian life, ex-serving members, partners and children, some former partners who are co-parenting, and eligible reservists. Parents and siblings may also be eligible where a service person has died in service-related circumstances or by su***de.

For veterans, serving ADF members and families, Open Arms offers a trusted, confidential and compassionate place to start a conversation and get support.