Scheyvillians

Each year the DVA puts out a calendar featuring a different topic. The 2026 Calendar features National Service.

If you would like a copy or copies of the 2026 calendar, please email education@dva.gov.au with your name and mailing address. Due to popular demand, they will be doing an additional print-run, so the calendar may not be ready until January or February 2026.

The front cover of the Calendar is shown in the “2026 DVA Calendar” Gallery (the last Gallery) on the OTU website. It features richly illustrated images from the Australian War Memorial and the Department of Defence, this 12-month calendar for 2026 is the ideal planning tool for the home or office. The calendar lists national public holidays, DVA pension days, and official days of commemoration proclaimed by the Governor-General of Australia.

Community Engagement Team, Commemorations Division, www.dva.gov.au 

Neil Leckie, Editor, The Scheyvillian

Victorian Scheyvillians

The second iteration of National Servicemen’s Day will be held at the Melbourne Shrine on Sunday 15 February 2026.

Members/former members of the NSAA, members of Nasho Fair Go, members of the OTU Association and unaligned Nashos from either scheme of National Service are welcome, as they were last year, to attend.

To fit in with other planned activities at the Shrine on the day, the short march will ‘Step-off‘ from the top of the steps of the forecourt at noon.

As per last year, the ‘Salvos’ Catering Van will be there for ‘afters’.

Please advise me of your planned attendance.

Wear your large medals and your OTU Tie, or some other means of identifying that you are a ‘Scheyvillian’! A nametag would be useful!!!!

Neil Leckie

Parade Commander

nkaleckie@optusnet.com.au 

0400 573 802

Scheyvillians

Michael Graham Izzard commenced officer training at RMC but eventually transferred to OCS Portsea and became one of the members of the first OCS Class at Scheyville. After some years of poor health ‘Mike’ passed away on 16 December 2025. His wife Trish had been bravely battling pancreatic cancer for the past 12 months. She held on courageously to see out Christmas and their wedding anniversary on 30 December (53 years) and saw in the New Year. However, Trish passed away on 5 January 2026.

Neither Mike nor Trish will have a funeral, but a Celebration of Life for both Mike and Trish will be held at the Belconnen Soccer Club in Canberra from 1200hrs on 31 January 26. See the link below.

 https://www.canberratimes.com.au/tributes-funerals/memorial-tributes-and-services/742024/izzard-michael-and-patricia/

I you are attending, please advise Mike Prain at pepperprain1@outlook.com or on 0402 301 661.

Neil Leckie

Editor

The Scheyvillian

0400 573 802