About us
The Australian Veterans Linguist Association (AVLA) is a professional community for both current and former linguists and language enthusiasts within Defence Australia. We exist to keep people connected, skills current, and knowledge alive — during service and well beyond it.
We work alongside Defence — not within it — allowing us to advocate for linguists, partner with industry, and preserve hard-won expertise that might otherwise be lost.
We are just getting started as an organisation — once our core infrastructure is established, we will open up for membership registrations. In the meantime, please follow us via our social media to keep up to date.
Objectives
The association seeks to deliver services that address the full spectrum of professional and welfare needs for Defence linguists.
Advocacy
Leverage an aligned (but independent) voice to represent linguist interests and capabilities to Defence leadership, including the appointment of a prominent and respected Defence Patron and/or other Ambassadors to enhance recognition and advocacy.
Professional Development
Provide access to industry-standard translating and interpreting training, further language training (including English), certification, and immersion programs. When funding capacity allows, further supporting veterans through scholarships and other educational advancement opportunities.
Community Building
Maintain professional support networks and relationships across linguist careers, regardless of Defence career duration.
Knowledge Preservation
Capture and share corporate knowledge and best practices.
Cultural Development
Foster development of cross-cultural competency and cultural intelligence, important for enhancing linguist effectiveness.
Career Support
Offer mentorship, connection, guidance, and transition assistance.
Industry Integration
Connect Defence linguists with civilian translation / interpretation communities and resources.
Our board
The executive and leadership teams are committed to delivering the organisation’s strategic outcomes.
Paul Thomson
Founder & CEO
Milê Glamcevski
Board Director
Dana Pham
Secretary
Ritchie Cunningham
Board Director
Mandy Yuan
Treasurer
Our partners
We rely on the support of corporate partners and sponsors to assist our operations and service delivery. For more information on partnerships with AVLA, contact admin@avla.org.au.
