The Top Ender Magazine June July 2022 Edition

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Defence Member
and Family Support
Where has the time gone? We are now in the dry
season and units, members and families have had
time to settle into operational tempo, work, school
and study routines. The DMFS team has been out
and about meeting new and returned ADF members
and families, plus Command. 2022 (as predicted) is
busy for many ADF members and families,
punctuated by planned absences in support of
deployments, courses and exercises, plus short
notice absences due to operational contingencies,
and visits interstate now that travel is again a reality.
DMFS can assist you in preparing and planning for these
absences and have a number of resources to share, plus
programs to provide support in the event of an
emergency.
Take the time to look at the deployment support
resources at defence.gov.au/members-families/Militarylife/deployment/default.asp
and work through the
Member and Family Care Plan contained at
defence.gov.au/members-families/Resources/Default.asp
Should there be a family emergency, please reach out
and we can assist. Additional information is at
defence.gov.au/members-families/emergency.asp
Remember, Defence Member and Family Support are
here to help. Reach out to the Defence Member and
Family Helpline at any time for advice, support or
connection with your local community.
Our website is the best source of information on ADF
member and family content so be sure to bookmark our
URL. And follow us on social media to keep up-to-date
on planned events.
Photo: Fabulous earrings. By: Annick Beyderwellen
DMFS Activities
It has been a busy few months for our members and families with the
rapid implementation of Operation Flood Assist and ongoing COVID
Assist taskings. The DMFS team have been working closely with
Headquarters 1 Brigade and units making sure that those members,
partners and families affected have been given information about support
and activities to attend while their loved ones, ADF personnel, are away
from home.
Information sessions for partners took place at the Rydges in Palmerston
and sessions were held during the day and the evening to encourage a
wider audience.
DMFS_AusDefence
DMFS_AusDefence
Save the Date
01/08/15 June: Munch to Music - Darwin & Tindal
02 June: Sew-social Frocktails - Darwin
04 June: Katherine Outback Experience Show - Tindal
08 June: Darwin Gaol & Cool Spot Coffee - Darwin
16 June: Transition Seminar Katherine - Tindal
21 June: Evening Barefoot Bowls - Darwin
22 June: Crafty Clay Creations Art Workshop - Tindal
30 June: Resin Casting Workshop - Darwin
10 July: Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Darwin - Darwin & Tindal
13 July: Kids Crafting Workshop - Darwin
27/28 July: Adults Epoxy Resin Workshop - Darwin
ADF members and families are very welcome
to register for events in both Darwin & Tindal
Photo: Making itself at home. By: Di Elson
Meanwhile, it has continued to be busy with
events and activities from both our offices in
Tindal and Darwin offering various workshops.
These have included a Meet and Greet at the
RAAF Tindal Pool, coffee connections, jewellery
making for teens and tweens, bowling and laser
tag, ice skating and a sunset soiree at the Ski
Club.
We have been crafty too with our “take a
break, let’s create” workshop offerings including
the ever-popular jewellery making workshop, as
well as our new sew-cial sewing workshop. We
even thought about our amphibian friends and
created a frog hotel workshop.
Written by Di Elson
We recently had the pleasure of our financial educator,
Nicole Hoschke from ADF Consumer who came to
Darwin for a couple of financial workshops sharing a
plethora of information on all things financial, including
Defence Home Owner Scheme, salary sacrifice and
everything in between. Nicole also presented an Overseas
Lateral Transfer financial workshop sharing her knowledge
of how things can work a little differently from the
countries people have moved from.
We have met so many new and familiar faces in the last
few months and the events have been snapped up at
speed on Eventbrite. If you have not been able to get
tickets, please remember to pop yourself on the waitlist
through Eventbrite.
Photo: Who is watching who? By: Liana Walker
We had a wonderful time seeing you at our Welcome to
the Top End event at Crocosaurus Cove. It was great to
see so many visitors getting up close and personal with
the reptiles. It was also an opportunity to introduce the
various stakeholders who can assist with support and
information while members and families are posted to the
Top End, including Robertson Barracks Family Group,
Larrakeyah House, Soldier On, Open Arms and Navy
Health.
In the coming months, look out for our new social events,
including a possible trivia team night - it is guaranteed to
be a lot of fun for our members and families.
The best way to find out about our upcoming events is to
register with Eventbrite via our DMFS Darwin or Tindal
website or dropping us an email
DMFS.darwin@defence.gov.au, we can add you to our
mailing list for the DMFS eNews.
Photo: Getting creative while listening to some tunes. By: Sarah Jacka
Mums, dads, teens and tweens hung out at the DMFS office in
Tindal and had some creative fun making jewellery with other ADF
families. There were some gorgeous creations made on the night
with participants designing bracelets and earrings, and one of the
teens had a go at making an eye-catching key chain.
If you have a great idea for a teen and tween activity, email us at
dmfs.tindal@defence.gov.au - we’d love to hear from you.
DMFS Meet and Greet at the Pool, Tindal
ADF Katherine families braved the heat and humidity to meet with
the hosting DMFS team and support partners for a chat, snack and a
dip in the pool at the DMFS meet and greet held at the RAAF
Tindal Pool on Tuesday, 8 March.
Families were able to meet some of the team from Open Arms,
Network Tindal and learn more about the DMFS Partner
Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) and the Defence School
Mentor Program. It was a great opportunity for everyone to engage
in a casual environment and find out about DMFS support services
and partner programs available to ADF families living in Katherine.
Photos: Cooling off and having a chat at the DMFS Meet and Greet held at
the RAAF Tindal Pool. By: Liana Walker
DMFS Webinars
To support and stay connected with ADF families across Australia and around the
world, we hold a number of webinars. During these webinars families can access
some great tips, strategies and resources to help them know more about a range
of topics like maintaining healthy relationships, the DMFS support available,
children’s education during and after COVID-19, support for families with a loved
one deployed, communication and healthy connections, returning to Australia from
an overseas posting and how to stay physically, mentally and emotionally strong.
Additional information is available at defence.gov.au/members-families/Events/
Webinar.asp
memberandfamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au DefenceMemberFamilySupport Area Manager NT
Defence Member and Family Support
defence.gov.au/members-families
dmfs-darwin.eventbrite.com.au
20 The Top Ender | Tri-Services Magazine Incorporated dmfs-tindal.eventbrite.com.au
JUNE/JULY 2022 21