How you can support our troops
Defence welcomes all expressions of public support for our people deployed on operations overseas. One way to show support is to send an email message to the troops at supportthetroops@defence.gov.au. These emails are widely circulated and much appreciated by Defence members.
Another method is through “Postcards to the Troops.” These are popular among children who put in great effort to decorate and design their cards. The troops appreciate the messages of goodwill and proudly display the handicraft.
Postcards to the troops can be sent to;
Messages to the Troops
Media Section
39 Personnel Support Battalion
Building 217
Randwick Barracks NSW 2031
If you wish to make a lasting contribution to deployed personnel and their families consider donating to “Soldier On,” the RSL or Legacy. Soldier On is a program that assists in the rehabilitation of wounded Australian soldiers.
The best and preferred method for our troops to receive some physical items to remind them of home is for members of the public to make a donation to the RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund. The 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 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 all donations should 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 below in order to ensure items can be delivered.
To learn more about forwarding care packages to the troops please see “Instructions”
Thank you for your support.