Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2007/Defence Families of Australia
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.
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From the National Convenor
I am finding the allocated 24 hours a week as national convenor is consumed very quickly as DFA continues to provide timely and important feedback into Defence and its service providers. I have met with Minister Assisting, CDF, Chief of Navy, Chief of Army and Chief of Air Force as well as senior Defence policy-makers and Defence stakeholders. Your nine volunteer national delegates have been working hard to present regional issues and trends affecting ADF families and I thank them for their continued commitment and passion.
In my first few months of convenor I have endeavoured to continue the great relationships that Maureen had established and also look at what unique skills I can bring to the role and organisation.
DFA also needs to review, adapt and change to assist and accurately represent the modern Defence family. A focus of my time as national convenor will be improving how families receive and access Defence and relevant community based information
Welcome to our new national delegates
Hunter Nth NSW region
My name is Sarah Hobden-Munro. I am the new National Delegate for DFA for Hunter/Nth New South Wales. My husband has been in the Air Force for 17 years and we have two wonderful children, my step-daughter Michaela, 12, and our daughter Claudia, 4. We have been fortunate in our Defence posting life with only one remote locality posting away to Tindal, NT and back again to Williamtown, NSW. My working background is in the community services sector, as a counsellor and women’s support worker. In the coming months I hope to meet as many Defence families in the region as possible so I can represent them on issues that may affect us all at one time or another. nth.nsw@dfa.org.au or visit our web site
New National Delegate for Victoria/Tasmania
My name is Debbie Jeffrey and I’m really pleased to be appointed as the national delegate for Victoria / Tasmania with DFA. My husband has been in the Air Force for around 25 years and this is our first posting away from Williamtown, NSW. Victoria is a fabulous place to live although I’m yet to experience my first winter here! The lifestyle is relaxed and everyone is so incredibly friendly. If you wish to discuss any matters regarding our local community or your family please contact me at vic.tas@dfa.org.au or visit our web site. 2007 DFA Annual Conference
By the time you read this we will have had our annual conference in Canberra, (June 18-22) and this year’s theme is Absent From Home. The DFA executive committee meets once a year to discuss current issue’s affecting Defence families and to be briefed by Defence personnel and stakeholder organisations on issues and policies. The Committee makes recommendations, if required, to Defence and the Minister as an outcome from conference.
Our national delegates were very busy holding pre-conference regional meetings to get your feedback on the issues you would like to see raised at conference.
Some of the issues placed on the agenda include:
- Child care expansion program
- Family support funding advisory committee
- Defence Housing Australia advisory committee- DFA’s role
- New housing classification policy
- Superannuation review
- Deployment, relocations and housing support
- Education assistance review
- Support to community groups and houses
We hope to have the conference minutes available on our website in the weeks following. Our NDs will also be holding post-conference meetings in each of our regions and you are welcome to come along to be briefed and to discuss the outcomes of our week. Regional meeting dates and venues will be made available on our website.
National Families week 13-20th May
National Families Week is an annual event to celebrate the importance of families. This year’s slogan was “FITT Families – Families investing in times together“. Defence Community Organisation (DCO) hosted a number of family fun days for Defence families in regions across Australia. Events like these provide a great opportunity for Defence families to get together, support each other, build important networks and create a sense of community. DFA secured sponsorship from Defence Health who generously donated $5,000 towards activities during National Families Week.
“On behalf of Defence Families I would like to thank Defence Health for their support for a second year running of this important week. DFA has worked closely with DCO to assist with the national activities associated with the week. This DFA support has been made possible by the generous sponsorship of Defence Health.” Nicole Quinn, National Convenor – DFA.
Support!
Families can show support for our goals of representing their needs by subscribing to our family information network. Please take a few minutes to enter your details on our web site www.dfa.org.au/subscribe.php. You will receive quarterly DFA news bulletins updating you on DFA activities and contribute to being a ‘voice for Defence Families’.
“Nothing will improve for my family or future ADF families if I do not provide feedback” - Navy Spouse – Western Australia
How can you 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.
For more information about DFA please visit our website www.dfa.org.au or call 1800 100 509 National Convenor
Nicole Quinn
CP2-1-11
Dept. of Defence
Canberra ACT 2600
convenor@dfa.org.au
www.dfa.org.au
