Our History
The concept for the Association was formulated in 1993 after after peacekeepers returned from the United Nations Advanced Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC) and the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). Many peacekeepers had noticed that some of their colleagues that had deployed with them on UNAMIC and UNTAC were ill, however the counselling services did not consider them as veterans. Then on the next Anzac Day the veterans of UNAMIC and UNTAC were not permitted to march as a formed body of Peacekeepers. This triggered the desire to form an new organisation to rekindle the camaraderie that was experienced on operations. (More below the image)
The Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Association (APPA) was formed on United Nations Day 24 October 1997. In 2003 the APPA was incorporated in Victoria as the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association Inc (APPVA) and permission was given for branches to be established in all states and territories.
The APPVA agreed to close all branches in 2019 and revert to the original element as the only entity to be recognised as the APPVA throughout Australia. That entity has since adopted best practice good governance and become a company limited by guarantee with a board of directors to provide its strategic direction, and a management committee to be accountable for the day to day operation of the Association. The APPVA is a registered charity.
Today the initial veterans who formed the Association like Nick Hannay to the left, are long term members of the Association and have gone on to influence many younger veterans and lead where leadership is needed in the current veteran environment