MUFTI

MUFTI | Volume 65

Read MUFTI online today.

A Voice for the Departed: Inside French Island Memorial

The French Island War Memorial is many things to the French Islanders who built it - a tribute to those who have served, a living piece of history, and a means of keeping important stories alive.

‘Long Overdue’ Recognition for Servicewomen Granted Through Mural

In the heart of Violet Town, Victoria, a vast mural stands as a testament to the long-overlooked contributions of Australian women in war. Dr Kirsty Harris, a former Army officer turned historian, tells the story of how her biggest history project to date came to life.

How a Simple Act of Kindness Sparked Storytelling Endeavour

The publishing of one compelling life story inspired Vernon Knight AM to create a project that captures tales from an entire community. The result is The Mallee Living Histories, an ongoing book series that tells stories of resilience, determination and friendship.

The difference between life and death 

Stuart Chandler looks back on his service history, some of the most challenging times of his life, and the transformative effects of finding the courage to seek help.

‘What an Honour’: A Look Back at Australians and Peacekeeping

From Indonesia in 1947 to Rwanda in 1994 and beyond, Australia has played a pivotal role in restoring peace in turbulent nations around the world.

Keeping the Peace in a Country in Chaos

Jamie Wolf faced confronting scenes of destruction in his time as a peacekeeper. Read how his experience has served him well in the community-building work he has undertaken since his discharge.

MUFTI | Volume 64

Read the 64th edition of MUFTI online today.

From the Murray River to Vietnam

When Uncle Graham Atkinson’s number was drawn in the national draft for the Vietnam War, he stepped up without hesitation. Of course, he didn’t have to.

Hands-on history at Terang RSL

In a corrugated iron building close to the main street is the Terang RSL Sub-Branch. Though the building may appear unassuming, a difficult-to-miss attraction within its grounds draws attention from far and wide to this remarkable rural Sub-Branch.

Essential Allies: The History of the Wartime Homing Pigeon

Today, pigeons get a bad rap, often referred to as ‘rats with wings’. There was once a time when the humble pigeon performed a vital role as a military messenger, trained to communicate intelligence to and from the frontlines.

Generations of service continues with Nadia

Nadia Al Lahham has always craved a career that would give her the opportunity to give back to the community. She’s found that with the Australian Defence Force.

I was only 19: An unofficial national anthem

“Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing out parade at Puckapunal”; These are the opening words to John Schumann’s I Was Only 19, a song that means so much to many. In a Mufti exclusive, John chats about the inspiration behind this ‘unofficial national anthem’ and how this song has changed his life.

Nine times through hell and back

Corporal Hugh Hince, walked the Kokoda Track nine times during his WWII service with the 1st Australian War Graves Maintenance Unit. Nine times through one of the most gruelling theatres of war, searching for and retrieving the remains of soldiers lost on the frontline. His is a story of resilience and faith.

Mental toughness and its role in our successes

Francine Dudfield has scaled cliff-faces, traversed through caves and provided life-saving support in her role as an Army Medic. Her physical strength is undeniable, but the real key to her success is in her mental stamina.

Sub-Branch's touching acts for veteran during dying days

The family of a veteran has come forward to thank the RSL for giving their relative dignity in his dying days.

Vietnam veteran's 'life of service' honoured

It has been 40 years since Viet Long Nguyen came to Australia as a political refugee, after enduring years of adversity in his fight for freedom. Since arriving in Melbourne, Long has made an indelible difference in the lives of many.

'Surreal': Veteran's rise to sporting stardom

The last five years of Lenny Redrose’s life have been a blur of "surreal” events, from sustaining a spinal cord injury and descending into a deep drug addiction, to emerging as a competitive athlete on the world’s stage.

Australians buried in Serbia honoured in ANZAC Day ceremony

This ANZAC Day, 25 April, a special ceremony was held at the British War Cemetery section of the New Cemetery in Belgrade, Serbia. In attendance were the descendants of Australians who served in Serbia during the First World War.

The Unsung Heroes of Remembrance

In 2023, Australians commemorated more than 80 years since some of the biggest battles and most tragic events from the Pacific war. But there is a story missing from the narrative on Australia’s wartime experience in the Pacific.

Family ties

The strengthening and Protecting Veteran Family Relationships is a new research study looking at programs or services that aim to strengthen relationships where one (or both) partners are current or ex-serving Australian Defence Force members. Corina Carli is one veteran welcoming the study.

It takes two

Dan and Melissa are partners in life, now the duo are also lending their passion to the Wonthaggi RSL Sub-Branch.

Opening Doors

As an Indigenous Liaison Officer, Micheal Naawi is now part of the Royal Australian Air Force’s efforts to strengthen understanding and career pathways with First Nations communities.

Preserving Legacy, Preserving History – The War Records of Alan Clark

The Werribee RSL Sub-Branch is the custodian of something precious, the war records of WWII Veteran Alan Clark. Now with the help of the Wyndham City Council, the Sub-Branch is able to share Alan’s records with more people than ever before. Preserving a vital part of Victorian wartime history.

Forgotten veteran recognised

Approximately 150 individuals have requested that their names be suppressed from the Vietnam Nominal Roll. There is no public record of their service, and many remain unrecognised today. Until recently, Peter Richardson was one of these veterans, but with the help of this local RSL, the Melton RSL Sub-Branch, Pete’s service has now come to light.

The Road is Long, But It is Walked Together: RSL and The Rochester Flood

Often in times of crisis, the human spirit shines brightest. Such was the case in the Northern Victorian town of Rochester when, in October 2022, it suffered the worst of the state's catastrophic flooding event.

Still Serving

They are the very definition of “Serving Still” - people who not only have ties to the Australian Defence Force, but now occupy the essential role of First Responder in their communities. Meet two extraordinary individuals, driven to continue assisting Australians through their work in the emergency services and, in the process, finding immense reward and personal fulfillment.

Our Serving Nurses

As the sole survivor of the 1942 Banka Island massacre whilst serving with the Australian Army Nursing Service, Vivian Bullwinkel undoubtedly had a life of harrowing stories and experiences. In honour of all the nurses, we bring you the story of current serving nurse, Major Dianne Hutchinson.

Korea 70 Years On

Only five years after the end of the Second World War, Australia became involved in the Korean War. Often called the “Forgotten War” because it was largely overshadowed by WWII and Vietnam, the Korean War would involve personnel from all three service arms who would serve from 1950-1953 in defence of South Korea.

MUFTI | Volume 64

Read our 64th edition of MUFTI online today.

Still Serving: Veteran's journey from army to RFDS

To and from the furthest and most remote corners of Australia’s vast landscape, the iconic Royal Flying Doctor Service provides lifesaving services. The RFDS is proud that many of those are current or ex-serving defence personnel, who bring a unique skillset to their role in the organisation.

The journey to becoming a WWII spy

Service at Monterey base in Albert Park during World War II was top secret. Now at 96 years old, veteran Jocelyn Kelso is ready to tell her story of service.

Meet the leading ladies of our Sub-Branches

A record number of Victorian RSL Sub-Branches have female Presidents. Meet two of this cohort; President of the Hampton RSL Sub-Branch Helen Ward and President of the Healesville RSL Sub-Branch Colette Shaw.

'More salt and pepper in the room'

Growing up in Ecuador and New York City, a career in the Royal Australian Air Force was far from Ivan Benitez-Aguirre’s mind. The now Wing Commander shares his story exclusively with Mufti.

60th Anniversary of the Vietnam War

Veterans Jim Dewar and Rob Edgell are part of a dedicated group working to educate the next generation about Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. On the 60th anniversary of Australia’s involvement in the war, Jim and Rob share their story with Mufti.

New Leadership at RSL Victoria

With perhaps more information than we’ve ever had before about the veteran community thanks to the latest census, and the ongoing Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, RSL Victoria’s new CEO Sue Cattermole looks forward to leading RSL Victoria and honing its services to meet the needs of veterans and their families.

Keeping The Peace

Major Michael Lee has just returned from a peacekeeping operation in South Sudan. His service is part of a proud, 75-year legacy of Australian involvement in United Nations Peacekeeping operations.

Controlling Your Outcome

As he cried into his father’s arms, Joel Sardi never really understood the true meaning behind “we will get through it”. In the weeks and years after a catastrophic accident rendered him paralysed, he couldn’t fathom what life would look like — until he found happiness again.

MUFTI | Volume 63

Read the October 2022 edition of Mufti online, as it was printed.

Anguish Alleviators: The Science Behind Assistance Dogs

It has long been said that dogs are man’s best friend. Assistance dogs like Lola, show that friendship can be life-changing.

MUFTI | Volume 62

Read our October 2021 edition of Mufti!

MUFTI | Volume 62

Read our April 2022 edition of Mufti!

The Vivian Bullwinkel memorial

The legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO, MBE, ARRC, ED will live on through a new memorial

A life of service

What is life like for members of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force today? Meet Jackson, Alisha and Ben, three young service people keen to tell their story.

RSL Victoria’s new Veteran Employment Program

A new, holistic approach to the career journey for veterans is being offered through the RSL Victoria Veterans’ Employment Program (VEP).

Our Greatest Comeback

How have Victoria’s RSL Sub-Branches coped over the past two years, and what are they doing now as we start to live with ‘COVID normal?’

Quilts of Valour

Helen Comport is a mother. A mother of a son who was wounded while serving overseas in 2010. Few can understand the stress of that situation, but Helen was able to take some comfort in a beautiful patchwork quilt made by other mothers from far away, and placed on her son’s bed while he healed from his injuries. This patchwork quilt inspired Helen’s new mission…Quilts of Valour.

Finding Vera

It’s a long way from Cardross in northwest Victoria to Singapore, but that’s where Vera Torney found herself in February 1942, facing a Japanese advance down the Malay peninsula.

Art from the Heart

For artist Kat Rae, art has always formed part of the solution when she sought to make sense of her own experiences, whether it was through creating works of her own, or immersing herself in the expressions of others. While it was her constant companion and her calling, it wasn’t her first career.

Remembering Kokoda

Eighty years after the Battle of Kokoda David Howell helped veteran George Cops return to the track.

A short history of the ANZAC biscuit

For more than 100 years the humble ANZAC biscuit has been a much-loved part of the Australian way of life, but do you know the story of how the ANZAC biscuit came to be?

Places of Pride

A national register aimed at collecting photographs of war memorials around Australia has been launched and the Australian War Memorial needs your help!

Life on the Line

Life on the Line is a podcast that tracks down Australian veterans and records their stories. From World War II to Afghanistan and Iraq, these are the stories of Australian men and women, each of whom put their life on the line for their country.

The Land Girls

After Japan entered WWII in December 1941, Australia was faced with an urgent problem - a desperate need to increase its armed forces and what that deployment of even more able-bodied men would mean for the ongoing needs of other important industries at home.

Looking back

Just over 20 years ago, Munjed Al Muderis escaped the brutality of Saddam Hussein’s regime. Now, he shares his story of how he rebuilt his life in Australia, and how he’s helping injured soldiers and civilians to rebuild theirs.

From Germany to the Mallee

Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England, is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the United Kingdom. Within it lies the remains of 446 Australians killed during both world wars including 95 from the Second World War. The story of one of those men, Private Eric Richard Schiele, begins in Germany, extends all the way to the Mallee in Victoria, and ends tragically in England during the Second World War.

Defence on the storm front

While the Australian Defence Force’s primary role is to defend and protect Australia, it also provides assistance through its capabilities and resources in times of natural disasters, as we have seen countless times.

Gardening for wellbeing

Gardens have long been a source of solace, particularly for people who have suffered trauma. Whether it’s sprouting seeds on your windowsill, tending to plants in your backyard, or perusing a public garden, there is something deeply satisfying about being connected to nature.

Preserving history

Could there be an important piece of Australian military history hiding in your garage?

The longest war

Gwen Cherne is an advocate, mother, and widow. In our exclusive interview, Gwen shares recollections from her time as an aid worker in Afghanistan, the story of how she met and fell in love with her husband, and an insight into her new found purpose of using her voice to advocate for veterans and their families.

RSL Advocacy Here For You

Lynne McCullagh is a changed woman. After 43 years of living day to day, her future is more secure than it’s ever been.

RSL Victoria's Poppy Appeal, 100 years of giving

For 100 years, Victorians have generously donated their time and money towards the annual RSL Poppy Appeal. And with the Appeal’s centennial anniversary this year, it’s an apt time to reflect on its evolution, ongoing relevance, importance, and the tireless efforts behind each Appeal.

Memories from the Kokoda trail

One of the last members of the legendary 39th Australian Infantry Battalion, WWII veteran Cec Driscoll’s story is both harrowing and humbling.

Eleven Bats

Anthony Moffitt, or Harry as he’s known, wears many hats – he is a Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment veteran, a registered psychologist, a human performance consultant, a father, husband, cricket tragic and now an author.

Celebrating 100 years of the RAAF

1921 saw the formation of the Australian Air Force (AAF), later known as the Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF). There are very few people around today who will remember Australia 100 years ago, when the country marked several milestones that shaped the life we enjoy now.

Love and the ‘Forgotten Army’

It’s been 75 years since Joan Sanders Majithia was formally discharged from the Women’s Royal Australian Navy Service, but despite the passage of time she has kept her war time secrets close to her chest.

A visit from the American First Lady

A visit from an American First Lady is an event to rival royalty, so when Eleanor Roosevelt touched down in Australia at the height of a war effort, it was a moment of history feverishly celebrated.

Ardmona’s “mystery” airman

Many Australians have researched a family member who served during wartime as a way to remember and honour their service and sacrifice, especially during the centenary years of the First World War.