It has been a busy Term 2 for our students, and as winter approaches, I know many are looking forward to sleeping in on these cold mornings during the June/July school holidays.

Military Life: A Teenage Perspective

This term, Defence Students were asked to participate in completing a questionnaire, asking what their experiences as an ADF student is like, particularly in times of parental absences and posting in and out of locations and schools. Students have provided some very insightful information of what challenges they face, how they meet those challenges, along with offering advice to other ADF students who are going through similar experiences.

The Defence School Mentor Program is designed to support children of full time serving personnel as well as those students who families are transitioning out of military life into the civilian environment. These students experience frequent mobility due to postings, and parental absences due to deployments and exercises.

The information the ADF students are providing will enhance the delivery of support services by the DSM program by allowing teachers to be better informed in the challenges military life presents to families. Participation in the questionnaire also allows students to share their experiences and to see that they are not alone in the school community and that there are others experiencing similar challenges.

As the ADF student population at RVSSC expands, this information will become invaluable. A BIG thank you to students who are participating.

Coffee and Chat

RVSSC held its first Defence School Mentor Coffee and Chat in the Resource Centre. This terms focus was on Absence Support, and parents were able to access information pertaining to pre-deployment, deployment and post deployment support that the Defence Community Organisation offer Defence families from the Family Liaison Officer (FLO) and the Education Liaison Officer (EDLO). Parents were also able to share their own experiences of when Defence Members were away.  Information about the Partner Employment Assistance Programme was also discussed.

All information can be found the Defence Community Organisation Website defence.gov.au/dco/ 

DCO South Queensland Upcoming Events

ADF members and partners are invited to ‘Amberley Coffee Connections’ for the chance to meet with other ADF families and find out about local services available.

Join the local Family Liaison Officer on Thursday 24 June from 9.30am-11am at Vibe Kitchen Café in Springfield Central. To RSVP, follow the Defence Community Organisation Facebook page or look out for the event on:

www.eventbrite.com.au/o/defence-community-organisation-brisbane-17817370612

ADF Member and Family Transition Seminar Dates

ADF Member and Family Transition Seminars can help ADF members and their family plan and prepare for transition to civilian life. Serving members and their family are welcome to attend at any time during the ADF members' career. At the seminars there will be access to information on:

• Transition support and administration
• Future employment
• ADF Reserves
• Finance and superannuation
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and
• Veteran and family support services.

Seminars are currently held both online and face-to-face. The next online seminar will be held on Wednesday, Thursday 24 June. Current serving members can register for these seminars through CAMPUS, while family members or support persons can register directly at: 

www.adftransitionvirtualseminar.com/en/registration

The next face-to-face seminar will be hosted at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 15 July. Current serving ADF members can register for this event through CAMPUS and family members, or support persons can register by emailing the ADF Transition Seminar Team at: 

adf.transitionseminar@defence.gov.au 

Defence Community Organisation Name Change

On 1 July this year, Defence Community Organisation (DCO) will change their name to Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS). There will be no changes made to the services offered to ADF members and their families. The local area offices around Australia will remain and the Defence Family Helpline is still the first port of call for all hours support. The Defence Family Helpline can be contacted 24/7 on 1800 624 608.