As you know, the Festive Season is quickly closing on us and it is asked that you spare a thought for our soldiers serving our country in harm's way in Afghanistan.

Perhaps you may wish to send a soldier a care package. The idea behind this is that some troops over in Afghanistan may not have family who are able to send them packages with things they may need or things that make their time over there just that tiny bit easier. There may also just be a soldier who is finding their time over there difficult and just needs a bit of cheering up. It'll get given to whoever needs it most.

To send a care package to an Australian Soldier in Afghanistan, you need to purchase a "BM" size box (weighs 175g itself) from Australia Post, they cost $2. They'll give you some customs forms which you will also need to fill out. The address you need to send the package to is below. Make sure you seal all the edges of the box with packing tape. If the box after being packed weighs less than 2kg, Australia Post will send it for Free.

An Australian Soldier
Op Slipper
AFPO 13
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890

To give an example of what can be sent, a care package could be:

1 x Lynx Shower Gel Travel Size
1 x Pack of Schick Disposable Razors
1 x NON-AEROSOL Shaving Cream
1 x Lynx Role On Deodorant
1 x Small Baby Powder (Talc)
1 x Chap Stick (SPF 30+)
3 x Bags of Allen's Lollies (NOT CHOCOLATE)
1 x Beef Instant Noodles
1 x Pack of Scotch Finger Biscuits
2 x Canned Tuna (Pull Ring Style)

But don't limit it to this let your imagination do the walking.


You may wish to also include a self addressed envelope and a letter, or include your email address as well just in case they want to contact you or have something specific they want you to get for them.

Things not to send:

Alcohol
No Clothing, Except socks
Aerosols
Cigarettes
Pork
chocolate (melts)
Magazines with naked people.

You can also send a female specific care package, including feminine deo, perfume sample sachets, girly mags. All you need to do is when addressing write ³An Australian Soldier - FEMALE².

For those of you that are animal lovers, you may wish to do the following: sending care packages to our Explosive Detection Dogs (EDD) with the following items included:

1 x box dog biscuits
1 x beef bone (not fresh)
3 x "greenies"
1x toy
1 x tennis ball
and don't forget a couple of packets of lollies for the handler.


The dogs do a magnificent job under very trying conditions and to date, four have lost their lives serving their country.

The address is:

An Australian EDD Handler
Op Slipper
AFPO 13
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890

This is a fantastic way to help out our serving soldiers, and show your support. What about getting the local kids at school involved and send some special packages from them there is still time before they finish the year. What about your club or association making this a special project. Maybe you could rally the people in your work place or your church … it is important that we all show our soldiers we all care.

Ray Payne OAM
Veteranweb Network
raypayne@veteranweb.asn.au