Our Culture and Story
Established in 2021, the ACA-ACT is a community for all current and former unit members across the Special Operations Command (Australia) (SOCOMD), including the two commando regiments and all supporting elements, who live, work or have a connection to the ACT region (including family residence, regular attendance or service connection). The Association’s culture is strengthened by inclusion, respect and connection, extending to the families of all unit members
The Association’s culture supports the well-being, resilience and sense of belonging of individual unit members, veterans, families, teams and the units.
As the National Capital is the melting pot for the Army Headquarters, SOCOMD, CYBERCOMD, Cyber Operations Division and the National Intelligence Community, our membership reflects this with a high degree of signalers, signals intelligence and senior officers within our membership.atron or Vice-Patron.
Our Objectives & Mission
Our Constitution aligns to and meets the requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Act 2012 (Cth) (the ACNC Act), the ACNC Governance Standards and the ‘model rules’.
The ACA-ACT was established exclusively for charitable purposes and operates on a not-for-profit basis in accordance with the Act and ACNC Governance Standards. The mission is to foster comradeship, support welfare for veterans and families, and uphold the proud traditions of Australian Commandos. To advance its charitable purpose, the Association:
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promotes remembrance and commemoration
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provides welfare, support and connection for members, veterans, families and dependents
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advocates on matters affecting veterans and their families
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supports SOCOMD personnel, families and community, and
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collaborates with the Commando Welfare Trust (CWT) and other charitable partners to assist those facing hardship.
Key Mission aspects include:
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Comradeship & Welfare
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Support for SOCOMD
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CWT support and fundraising
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Advocacy
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Commemoration, and
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National duty and service.
All activities, decisions and resources of the ACA-ACT must be directed toward advancing its charitable purpose and not be inconsistent with clause 3 of our constitution.
Our Values and Expected Behaviours
Our members must meet our expected behaviours and align with our key values.
Our values guide how members and the Committee members conduct themselves within the ACA-ACT community and the broader community.
Our core values are:
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Selfless Service – placing team and community before self
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Respect – valuing diverse views and treating all people with dignity
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Integrity – ensuring words, decisions and actions are aligned and honourable, and
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Accountability – taking responsibility to each other, to the community, and to relevant regulatory authorities within the Association’s governance framework.
Membership
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Ordinary Members: current or former SOCOMD personnel (including Commandos and supporting/enabler units) living, working in, or otherwise connected to the ACT region.
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Family Members: immediate family of current/former Commandos and enablers, and surviving dependants.
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Associate Members: persons who have directly supported Australian Commando Units since WW2 or are from a like-minded military unit from a friendly partner force, who are aligned with ACA‑ACT’s mission
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Social Members: are individuals who support the Association’s objects and wish to participate in social and community activities including community partners and supporters of CWT.
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Honorary/Life Members: are conferred by the Committee or a general meeting for exceptional service. Any person who has rendered distinguished or special service to the Association or its antecedent associations which has been formerly recognised as such by the passing of a Special Resolution at an Annual General Meeting. This member must have completed a minimum of 10 years dedicated service to the ACA in either State sub-branches or a combination of one or more State branches / associations.
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Patron & Vice-Patron Members: The Committee of the Association may invite a person deemed suitable and be approved by the Committee as a P
