Over the month of March 2020 DFA hosted a First Five Years webinar for families of each of the three ADF Services.
We asked the Deputy Service Chiefs to talk about what to expect from a Services perspective such as how much the member will be away and in what locations. And we asked the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) and the Chaplains to share top tips for keeping a relationship strong in these circumstances.
This post is a summary of the Navy webinar held Monday 30 March 2020
Please note: Any COVID-19 advice that was given was current as of this date
This webinar was aimed at Navy partners, however there is a lot in this for other service partners as well, particularly with some COVID-19 questions.
The webinar was hosted by our National Convenor, Maree Sirois.
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Recording is here
Summary of Webinar
Start – National Convenor of DFA – Maree Sirios
1 minute 40 seconds
Major General Natasha Fox
3 minutes 59 seconds
Rear Admiral Mark Hammond
23 minutes 15 seconds
Chaplain James Sutherland
40 minutes 20 seconds
Debbie from the Defence Family Helpline
49 minutes 30 seconds
Participant Questions
WEBINAR ENDS
COVID-19 Resources
Defence Community Organisation
*How to get help*
Open Arms Mental Health Resources
Resources for ADF Families
The Defence Family Helpline
1800 624 608
This is the first point of call for support, information and connection with your Defence community. You can also email the Helpline on DefenceFamilyHelpline@defence.gov.au and receive a response within 24 hours. This helpline is located within the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) which also offers a broad range of programs and services to help Defence families.
Defence Housing Authority (DHA)
139 342
Provides housing and services for ADF members and families.
Toll Transitions (TOLL)
1800 819 167
Provides moving services for ADF members and their families
Open Arms
1800 011 046
Provides free counselling for members, veterans and their families.
ADF Family Health Program
1300 561 454
All recognised dependants of full-time ADF members are eligible to register for the National Family Health Program.
Defence Special Needs Group (DSNG)
A support group for ADF families with special needs.
Defence LGBTI Information Service (DEFGLIS)
Provides supports and represents ADF LGBTI personnel and their families.
ForceNet
An online communications platform for Defence to connect with members and families.
Chaplains – Army – Navy – Air Force
Provide support to members of the ADF and their families to work through a range of life issues, especially as they apply to military service.
To contact a Chaplain please call the Defence Service Centre on 1800 333 362 and ask for the Duty Chaplain in your area.
ADF Consumer Centre
Provides financial and consumer education service for ADF members and their families.
At Ease – Family (DVA)
DVA’s portal to online mental health information. It provides self-help tools and information to support mental health and wellbeing and is a gateway to websites and free mobile apps about stress, PTSD, alcohol management, resilience and suicide awareness and prevention.
