Author: defencefamiliesaustralia278598976
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What’s it like living in Tindal?
We spoke with Defence partner Brychan recently about life in a remote posting. How did you meet? Neal and I met in 2009 at RAAF Base Richmond. Back then I was in the Army, posted to 176 Air Dispatch Squadron and he was at 1CCS. Neal is originally from Brisbane and I am from Daylesford…
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Veterans’ Health Week – Queensland
Social Connection is the theme of this year’s Veterans’ Health Week which runs from October 24 to November 1. This year has thrown us all challenges and presented us with many barriers to social connection which have been out of our control. We know Defence Families often face more challenges than most in staying connected for many…
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Volunteer work in the Defence Community
Tell us about the group you volunteer for and your role. I volunteer for Pearce Community Group, I am currently the secretary, previously I was the president and one of the founding members. We are still just a small group but aim to connect and support Defence families of the northern suburbs of Perth. How did…
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Top Tips for Defence Special Needs Families
This post was originally published in the Defence Special Needs Support Group Newsletter. About 15 years ago we were posted to a small country town and I became pregnant with our first child. I had a normal, although quick labour and proceeded to settle into my new role as first time mum. Later that day after some…
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Our ADF Families: Charlie and Nick
How did you meet? I had been living and working on the Gold Coast and had just returned back to Sale in 1997 following an injury. I met Nick not long after while he was posted to East Sale as an instructor at the School of Air Traffic Control. Approximately how many moves/ locations/ countries?…
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From Weapons Instructing to Knitting Queen and B’n’B Entrepreneur
We spoke recently with Michelle Wood, ex serving member and current ADF partner about her experience with the Prince’s Trust, an organisation that is supporting veterans and ADF partners of current serving members through workshops for small businesses. The Prince’s Trust welcome attendees at all stages in their business journey. Their discovery workshops are designed to…
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ADF Family Health and Private Health Insurance
Alison Berlioz-Nott from Defence Health explains how the ADF Family Health Program and private health insurance can work together for ADF families. Support for your health The ADF Family Health Program provides valuable support towards the health of ADF family dependants. It is separate to private health insurance (PHI), but if used in combination with PHI, it can dramatically…
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Do you have a will?
When you’re in a relationship with someone in the ADF, being apart from your loved one often just becomes the norm. It might be a deployment, course, exercise or you might be living as MWDU. (Member with Dependents Unaccompanied) Whatever the reason, Defence strongly encourages all ADF members to have a will and to consider whether…
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Pregnancy loss as a Defence family
Trigger Warning: Pregnancy Loss It’s the club no one wants to be a part of. We had our first miscarriage early in a posting. We hardly knew anyone in the location, and we had a toddler with a chronic health condition. I can honestly say it was one of the most difficult and loneliest times…
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Being a parent of someone in the ADF
Defence parents Lee and Barb have three daughters. Two joined the Army Reserve whilst at university before transferring to undertake full time service. One daughter has since left the military whilst the other is still serving. They also have two sons-in-law currently serving in the Australian Army. We caught up with Lee and Barb on…