Download and read:
Invitation, Registration and Information Handbook for Military Pilgrims.

Military Pilgrims Preparation Guide (June 2008). This will assist you to spiritually and practically prepare for your journey to Days in the Military Diocese and World Youth Day.

Please download, complete the following forms:

• the Emergency Contact Details Form (for all military pilgrims), and

• the Next of Kin and Consent to Recevice Medical Treatment Form (for all military pilgrims aged under 18).

Submit a Defence Travel Budget calculator, as per the Joining Instruction, to your unit for approval (similar travel arrangment to that for ADF sporting activities). Book your flights to Canberra (arriving no later than 3:00pm on 9 July 2008) and from Sydney (departing no earlier than 21 July 2008) through the normal Defence Business Travel process. Australian civilian dependents are to book flights separately through commerical means at their own expense. Once booked, please email your itinerary to wyd2008@defence.gov.au by no later than 31 May 2008.

Go to the WYD08 online registration website: http://egeria.wyd2008.org, and register as a pilgrim under Group Number 164. You are to pay for "Package B". As highlighted in the Joining Instruction, these meals are not considered as Defence provided so ADF members can claim for reimbursements on their Travel Budget Calculators. Participating civilian dependents will not be eligible to claim for this. Click here for more information about WYD packages.

(Non-Australian Military Pilgrims) - Book your flights to Canberra (if possible, arriving no later than 3:00pm on 9 July 2008) and from Sydney (departing no earlier than 21 July 2008). QANTAS, Virgin Blue and Jetstar provide domestic flights between most Australian state capital cities to Canberra, and your local travel agent or Harvest Youth Tours (the Official Tour Operators for WYD08) may be able to assist with international and domestic flight bookings. Once booked, please inform the Military Pilgrims Coordination Cell of flight details, as soon as possible, by emailing wyd2008@defence.gov.au.

Go to the WYD08 online registration website: http://egeria.wyd2008.org, and register as a military pilgrim (group leaders are to create a military group - please include the word 'military' in your group name and indicate that you will be participating in the military 'Days in the Diocese'). Military pilgrims are to pay for "Package B". Click here for more information about WYD packages.

(Please Note: The Australian Department of Defence reserves the right to conduct background security checks on all applications. By submitting the Military Ordinariate's Registration Form, applications automatically indicate that they consent to the conduct of these checks.)

FLIGHTS AND OTHER TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS

• Make sure you have a valid passport (foreign military pilgrims only).

• Foreign Group Leaders Only: Contact your local Travel Agent for flights to Canberra and from Sydney. If your group will not be flying into Canberra, you will need to arrange your own transport to Canberra. You need to arrive in Canberra by Wednesday 9 July 2008. Please email wyd2008@defence.gov.au with your flight arrival / departure details as soon as possible.

• If your group is planning to arrive in Australia prior to 9 July 2008, or depart after 21 July 2008, you are responsible for your own food, travel and accommodation. Harvest Youth Tours may be able to assist you in additional travels in Australia. You are also responsible for getting yourself to Canberra on 9 July 2008. A representative of the Military Diocese of Australia will greet you at Canberra Airport or at another pre-arranged location in Canberra.

• The Australian Defence Force and the Military Diocese of Australia will not be responsible for misadventures to pilgrims during the Days in the Defence Diocese, whilst travelling or during the WYD08 week. All pilgrims are strongly advised to purchase adquate travel insurance. Limited insurance for pilgrims during the WYD08 Week will be covered through WYD08 registration. (As ADF members will be considered 'on-duty', they will not require additional travel insurance.)

• Winter days in Canberra may be cool with sunny days; however, the temperature at night may drop down to around zero degrees Celsius. Average winter temperatures in Sydney may fall to single digits (Celsius). Therefore, military pilgrims are reminded to bring appropriate warm clothing and a warm sleeping bag.

• If you have any other travel concerns, please inform your group leader as soon as possible.

• CLICK HERE for more TRAVEL TIPS and information about Australia (for foreign military pilgrims).

IMMIGRATION AND WORLD YOUTH DAY VISAS

WORLD YOUTH DAY AGE POLICY FOR DEPENDANTS OF MILITARY MEMBERS

Civilian dependants under the age of 16 wishing to attend, require their parents to apply by writing to Commander Joint Task Force 665 (Operation Testament) and email to wyd2008@defence.gov.au. This will be reviewed on a "case-by-case" basis and waviers will only be granted on exceptional circumstances.