Debbie Smith and Fiona Sassenfeld of the WA Branch of the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia (PVA) came along this week to explain how their organisation provides much needed assistance to the partners and families of Australian veterans. The PVA was established in the Eastern States in 1999, with WA following a few years later. It is a not-for-profit organisation and all officials contribute on a voluntary basis. WAPVA is committed to working with its members and to seeking out those younger partners who are in need of support. It also seeks to improve conditions of all partners and families of defence and ex-defence personnel. WAPVA groups meet regularly, and offer partners of veterans both information and support, as well as a range of activities to enjoy together. Events are organised by the local members and reflect the individual group preferences. Consequently, they vary from area to area, and may consist of lunches, morning or afternoon teas and the opportunity to have a chat. Things are ever changing though, as it turns out that younger veterans’ families need different support compared with the older ones. There are four groups in WA, based at Hillarys, Midland, Bunbury and the South-West, and they have 3 formal get-togethers each year, and their association with Open Arms facilitates mental help support to the wider families of Navy, Army and Airforce veterans. All in all, the PVA seeks to provide friendship, information and understanding, and clearly it achieves it’s objectives magnificently.