SENATOR THE HON. MICHAEL RONALDSON
MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
MINISTER ASSISTING THE PRIME MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC
SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE
TIM MCCOMBE OAM
2 February 2015
It is with great sadness that I extend my condolences to the family and friends of Tim McCombe OAM.
Tim passed away on Saturday, 31 January 2015, at Bowral District Hospital, New South Wales.
Tim McCombe OAM was a veteran who devoted his time to lending a hand to other veterans and current serving men and women.
A regular soldier himself, Tim served in the Australian Army from 1964 to 1973 in locations including Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam. During the Vietnam War he served as an infantry soldier from May to August 1967 with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment and was severely injured by a mine explosion.
At the time of his passing he was the National President of the Vietnam Veterans Federation Australia (VVFA), and NSW Branch President of the VVFA’s affiliate, the Vietnam Veterans Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of Australia (NSW Branch) Inc. Both of these organisations support Vietnam veterans and work with those returning from current and recent deployments.
Tim was a strong advocate for his fellow veterans. As an original member of the Ex-Service Organisation Round Table he contributed greatly to the conduct of the group and its significant representation of the veteran community since 2009. His insight and contribution will be missed.
Tim was also a member of the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service National Advisory Committee (NAC) from 1986 - 1993 and again from 2007 – 2012. In this position he championed the needs of veterans of all ages and all backgrounds and assisted the NAC in understanding many of the barriers facing veterans and their families in the access to services.
In opposition and in Government Tim provided me with frank and fearless advice, for which I will be forever grateful.
In recognition of his services to veterans Mr McCombe was granted the medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2001 and was also awarded the Centenary Medal that year.
I send my deepest sympathies to Tim McCombe’s family and friends during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
Media inquiries: Minister Ronaldson: Mark Lee 02 6277 7820 or 0408 547 381
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) and Veterans Line
can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free and confidential counselling.
Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 4546).
