Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2007/Defence Families of Australia News
Defence Families of Australia (DFA) is a group formed to represent the views of Defence families. Its aim is to improve the quality of life for Defence families by providing a recognised forum for their views and by reporting, making recommendations and influencing policy that directly affects families. ADF families can contact DFA to represent them regarding an individual situation or to advocate an issue concerning many families.
DFA 2007 annual conference
This year's national conference, held in Canberra in the period June 18-22 with the theme Absent from Home, was a great success.
National delegates, representing all regions around Australia, had the opportunity to raise and discuss many of the unique issues which Defence families face as a normal part of our lives.
Housing, removals, education, childcare and remote localities are regular themes each year and DFA continues to fight for improvement in these conditions.
Also raised at conference, was the effect that the continued absences from home are having on families. The current high operational tempo is not likely to change any time in the near future. Families are feeling the pressure of constant deployments, as well as regular absences from home due to other commitments such as training. As one senior Defence person put it: "How many nights do they actually get to sleep in their own bed?"
In addition, we had comments that in some areas members at home are working longer hours to cover the shortfalls created by personnel away. DFA had the opportunity to discuss this with some very senior Defence personnel and workshop some ideas to help make life a bit easier for families.
DFA also highlighted the issue of families accessing information relating directly to them. Information on family policy and entitlements is often available on the secure Defence website or are difficult to find through the general Defence website.
So DFA is planning to redevelop our website into a portal - an easy-to-use, one-stop shop for Defence families to find relevant information. It will also provide an opportunity to build an online community to reduce the isolation we sometimes experience. We will provide links to policy and entitlements, local regional and national information and related websites. Work will start in the coming months and we value input and ideas from all Defence families.
DFA wishes to thank the conference speakers who clearly value the work of DFA and generously gave us some of their valuable time. The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Mr Bruce Billson, Chief of Defence Force ACM Angus Houston, the Chiefs of Navy, Army and Air Force, Head of Personnel Executive, Directors of Personnel, Head of DCO, Director of Entitlements, DHA and Toll senior executives, to list a few. Their support is strong and very much appreciated.
Meeting with the Minister in his office during the Defence Families Australia annual conference were (l. to r.) communications officer and Navy spouse Cath Scott, South East Queensland national delegate Elizabeth Sayers, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Mr Bruce Billson, and South Australia national delegate and Navy spouse Rowena Jimmieson.
Your local national delegate will be holding post-conference meetings in your area over the next few weeks to brief families on the outcomes of our conference. These dates and our conference minutes will be updated to our website very soon. If you wish to discuss our conference outcomes please contact your local delegate.
Support
Families can show support for DFA by subscribing to our family information network. Please take a few minutes to enter your details on our web site. You will receive regular DFA news bulletins updating you on DFA activities and contribute to being a 'voice for Defence families'.
DFA Subscribe: www.dfa.org.au/subscribe.php
How you can be involved in DFA
If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with DFA or becoming a senior representative for your area, please contact your local national delegate or check out our website: www.dfa.org.au.
Nicole Quinn National Convenor Defence Families of Australia CP2-1-11 Dept. of Defence Canberra ACT 2600 convenor@dfa.org.au
