Exercise Pitch Black 12 Exercise Pitch Black 12 - The Top Ender Tri ...

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Defence Families of australia (DFa) is an independent
advisory group convened by the Department of Defence
in 1985 to improve the quality of life for ADF Families by:
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Representing the diversity of today’s Defence families;
Providing accurate and honest advice to Government;
Providing a recognised forum for the views of Defence
families; and
Reporting and making recommendations to the Minister
responsible for Defence Personnel and the Chief of the
Defence Force (CDF); and
influencing policy making that directly affects ADF families.
Your New Delegate
Hello, I’m your new National Delegate for the
Northern Territory, Laura Simpson-Helman.
My husband has been in the army for nearly
5 years. We moved from my home town of
Melbourne to Townsville, then to Darwin
where we have been for 2 and a half years.
We have 3 children aged under 5.
I enjoy the Defence lifestyle and always have a positive attitude
but I also understand the impact this lifestyle has on families and
how important it is to support each other.
I’m a very outgoing person and love to meet new people. I
already attend a lot of Defence events in Darwin. I’m also on the
committee for the Robertson Barracks Family Group and The Top
Ender magazine.
I regularly attend DCO events and events run by other community
houses. This is a great way to meet other Defence Families.
I’m looking forward to been even more involved in the Defence
community in this rewarding DFA role. If you have any questions
about your individual situation or an issue affecting many
families, please email me at nt@dfa.org.a
nt@dfa.org.au.
As your National Delegate, I meet with DHA, TOLL, DCO and the
DRHM (Defence Relocations and Housing Manager), as well as local
Commanders on a regular basis to represent the views of Defence
Families, and I can raise issues affecting you and your family.
DFA WORKING
FOR YOU
Defence Families
of Australia
A voice for Defence Families
Defence Families of Australia National
Delegates came to Canberra for a week
of meetings with senior Defence leaders
starting Monday 20 August 2012.
Conference provides an opportunity
for DFA delegates to collectively discuss
August / September 2012
the priorities of Defence families with Defence leaders and
Senior Managers.
Topics for discussion included the following points but were not
limited to them:
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follow-up from DCO’s Defence Family Forum;
recent changes to entitlements;
child care for members with children;
mental health;
support services for MWOD families; and
review and discussion of Hamilton report and how it relates
to today’s ADF.
Later in the year, DFa will issue the DFa agenda for 2012-13
which will detail outcomes from the conference and priorities
for the year ahead. Download it from the DFA website or
Facebook Page.
Reminder: DCO Deployment Assistance
If your partner is going away on deployment or exercise, or you
are going to be away from your family for exercise, deployment
or as MWD(U), you can register for absence From Home
assistance from DCO Darwin and Tindal for your family through
the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608. You can also
email at DefenceFamilyHelpline@defence.gov.au for a response
within 24 hours.
The Defence Family Helpline will discuss with you the options
for deployment support, including registration for regular DCO
phone contact with the family, a support package for your
children and invitations to upcoming events.
There will be regular absence from home support events
throughout the year in the Darwin, Tindal and Katherine area
which will also be advertised.
The Helpline will link you in with the FLO or DSW at Darwin and
Tindal who will assist you further.
Your Local Delegate
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you require
any assistance.
Laura Simpson-Helman
National Delegate for Northern Territory
nt@dfa.org.au
www.dfa.org.au
www.facebook.com/DefenceFamiliesofAustralia
Infoline 1800 100 509