The Top Ender Magazine February March 2021 Edition

From your Delegate
Moving Towards Improved Wellbeing
2020 was anything but an ordinary year and 2021
provides the perfect opportunity to take steps to
improve our mental and physical wellbeing.
Setting Good Habits
When we talk about habits, one thing is clear: not all
habits are good. But, just like bad habits have the
potential to significantly impact our lives in a negative
way, good habits can lead us towards a happy, healthy
and successful life.
Some tips to build good habits include:
Start with small adjustments
Be positive
Commit to your decisions
Create a plan to succeed
number of 386 events nationally. Here in the Top End,
the fantastic range of events promoting Social
Connection included:
• Darwin RSL’s Poppy Craft Mornings, Barefoot Lawn Bowls
Competition, Curry Cooking Night and Poppy Planting
and Remembrance Service
• Veteran Sport Australia and Darwin Off Road Cyclists’
Mountain Biking and BBQ
• Veterans Australia NT Inc.’s Visit to the Darwin Military
Museum, Bounce into the Build-up and Live Country
Music and Bush Band
• Palmerston RSL’s Parkrun
• Mates4Mates’ Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Learn to Cook
Thai, Clay Pottery Class, Go-Karting Family Fun Day
• Robertson Barracks Family Group’s session on
Recognising Mental Health Crises Through Social
Connection and Positive Mental Health Connections
Through Therapy Dogs
• Larrakeyah Neighbourhood House’s Canapés With
Friends and Dinner With Friends
Firstly, to our new families - Welcome to the Northern
Territory! I hope by the time this is published you are
starting to find your way around this unique part of
Australia.
My name is Jessica, and I am the National Delegate for
Defence Families of Australia - Northern Territory and
Kimberley. I have been a Defence spouse since 2009
and my family have undergone many postings since
then, so we are familiar with the challenges of
relocation, housing, schools and moving to the Territory.
Defence Families of Australia (DFA) is the
official government appointed advisory body
representing the views of Australian Defence Force
Families. Our role is to directly inform the Minister for
Defence Personnel and the Chief of the Defence Force
on issues affecting families.
Keep up to date by following the DFA Northern
Territory Facebook page. I regularly upload content
that I think you will find relevant and engaging about
life in the Northern Territory.
https://www.facebook.com/DFANorthernTerritory/
DFA Webinars
We have received feedback from partners that they
wanted to know more about Defence life – so we ran
three webinars during March 2020, with one for each
service.
These webinars looked at the first five years as an
ADF partner. During this time, information was also
provided on how COVID-19 and ADF operations was
affecting families.
To watch these recordings please visit the DFA
website at: https://dfa.org.au/webinars-2/
Please note, these were recorded in March 2020, so
any COVID related information was relevant at the
time the recordings were made.
Build a routine
Get support from family,
friends and your community
Celebrate your achievements
along the way
Invest time working on these strategies and let good
habits help you to make the most out of life.
Social Inclusion
Good health isn’t just about physical activity and eating
well, social inclusion is just as important as other healthy
lifestyle choices.
Loneliness and social isolation can have negative impacts
on your physical and mental health, so investing in
social inclusion and how we interact with the world
around us can have positive effects on a healthy
lifestyle. It can enhance our psychological well-being and
improved health habits.
Last year’s Veterans’ Health Week theme of Social
Connection is one of the most important aspects of
mental health and wellbeing, and 2020 showed us that it
is more important than ever to remain connected with
our families, friends and local communities.
Despite all the challenges 2020 threw at us, last year’s
Veterans’ Health Week was a great success, with a total
• Network Tindal’s Ceramics Course, BBQ and Base Run/
Walk
• Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association’s Tech
Tune Up and Try Out
In 2021, I encourage you to take the opportunity to
get out and about and become involved in our local
community. Darwin and Katherine are friendly towns
and if you are new, or looking for new ideas to become
involved, there is plenty on offer. Community and
sporting groups are always looking for new members so
get out there and make those social connections. It’s
great for your overall wellbeing!
If you have any questions about entitlements you may
be eligible for, transitioning from the ADF, or what
veteran support services are available in your local area
call DVA on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).
Meghan Bailey
Deputy Commissioner, NT
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
The National Convenor of DFA is based in Canberra,
and 8 National Delegates are formally appointed by the
Minister for Defence Personnel. DFA advocates
on issues which are brought to our attention by families,
serving ADF members, Commanding Officers and
Defence stakeholders. Through the DFA network, we
are able to discuss issues concerning families at both
regional and national levels, to seek clarification and
resolution. Please contact DFA if you have been
unsuccessful in resolving a concern through either your
local relevant channels or national channels.
Jessica Hanison
NT Delegate
DFA
16 The Top Ender | Tri-Services Magazine Incorporated FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 17