About Us
Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc
Our History
The Partners of Veterans Association (P.V.A.) was established in 1999 by several unaffiliated partner groups from across New South Wales, including Wauchope, Sydney, Central Coast, Maitland, and Tamworth. Members of the Central Coast group organised a foundational conference on 31 August 1999, which brought together twenty-eight partners of veterans. At this pivotal meeting, a steering committee was elected to oversee incorporation and unite the various groups under the banner of the Partners of Veterans Association of New South Wales. Membership applications were received at the Association’s first official meeting in Broke, NSW in November 1999, and by May 2000, P.V.A. NSW was formally incorporated with 130 members.
The organisation experienced remarkable growth over the following years. Within just four years, P.V.A. NSW expanded to include members from every state and territory across Australia. Having successfully built the foundations of the Association, P.V.A. NSW played an instrumental role in establishing the national parent body in 2003. Today, P.V.A. operates state branches, functioning as one united, nation-wide organisation that provides much-needed support and assistance for the welfare, health, and special needs of partners of veterans.
At the inaugural Annual General Meeting of the Association in 2000, the members present voted to invite Mrs. Lynne Cosgrove to become our Patron, a position which as Lady Cosgrove, she still holds to this day.
National Board
The National Board is governed by Directors nominated from all member state branches of the association.
Elected in October 2025 until 2027, the current Board consists of:
Executive Committee
President: Beverly Benporath (WA)
Vice President: Narelle Bromhead OAM (NSW)
& Alethea GimorE (WA)
Secretary: Rona Lunney (NSW)
Treasurer: Lesley Minner (NSW)
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Other Directors
Lucinda Casey-Billington (NSW)
Ann Stephenson OAM (QLD)
Margaret Thomas (QLD)
Debbie Smith (WA)
Pauline Cameron (SA)
Sherold Kelleher (VIC)
Cleo Field (VIC)
P.V.A.'s National 1300 Helpline
1300 553 835
The P.V.A. 1300 Helpline is a 24/7 link to support and information for partners of veterans, current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families.
Our 1300 Helpline provides vital assistance to a section of the veteran community who in many cases find it difficult to speak with government departments and are more at ease speaking with partners who are trained and able to pass on up-to-date welfare information while offering friendship and understanding at the same time.
Constitution and Financial Statement
To receive or obtain a copy of the constitution, send your request to the P.V.A. National secretary at secretary@pva.org.au or via the ‘Contact Us’ section of this website.
The Association Poem
Rosemary Remembrance
Think of Rosemary leaves
Strong and green
With little white flowers in between
Sweet and fragrant,
Always there
Behind the leaves
Strong and fair.
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Then think of the mothers
The partners, the wives
Who were there for the veterans
All of their lives
Behind the scenes,
Strong and fair
Remember the women
Who were always there. Â
© 2003 Stella Conway-

