Our Executive Staff
National Convenor
Nicole Quinn convenor@dfa.org.au
The life of an ADF spouse began for me over 13 years ago when I met Andrew, who is in the Navy. Since then we have experienced the highs and lows of ADF life and I, like all ADF partners, quickly discovered that my husband’s work had a large impact on my, and now my children’s, daily lives.
It was the impact on my children’s life, especially the impact of education inconsistencies across the states that first lead me to DFA. I was pleased to discover that an independent group was representing my concerns on this topic. As I further became involved in DFA, I was impressed to see an active and professional group lobbying both Defence and Government on issues affecting my life as an ADF family.
DFA 2008, mainly due to those spouses who have been before us, is a highly regarded and influential advocacy group representing the ‘end user’ of family policy. DFA is already receiving outstanding support from our new Minister, Warren Snowdon and continues to receive a supportive and ‘open door’ approach from the Chief of Defence Force, ACM Angus Houston and all of the Service Chiefs.
As National Convenor I will endeavour to represent the views and issues effecting ADF families and with the continuing support of the National Executive and families within the ADF community provide a strong voice for all Defence Families.
National Communications Officer
Cath Scott communications@dfa.org.au
My husband, Paul and I have been married for 12 years.
Paul has been in the Navy for 22 years and I am very proud of him and his job. We have experienced the usual challenges of our ADF lifestyle, including many lengthy periods of separation and our fair share of removals. The highs include great friendships and, despite the challenges, a good lifestyle. I am currently balancing three young children (Ellen 6, Conor 6 and Amy 4), part time work, volunteer work and the ‘absences from home’.
My background is in research and information management. I love being involved in DFA as the Communications Officer. It is a great organisation and has really made a difference helping families over the last 20+ years.
Administration Officer
Emma Ward families@dfa.org.au
Emma has been the nexus of an Airforce family for seventeen years, and experienced 14 postings all over Australia and India with husband Christopher, a RAAF Legalo. During that time, three sons (Jasper 17, Chester 14, Banjo 12) four deployments & seven Mini Foxies later, Emma has volunteered in each locality for the Defence community & local school. Her time in these community and education positions (eleven state schools) have brought her wealth of Defence family knowledge. Her ethos "you get back what you give out!"
National Delegate for the ACT/Southern NSW
Jo Aboud act.sthnsw@dfa.org.au
My husband and I currently live at Duntroon in Canberra, and are blessed with four young children. We are finding Canberra a great place to live as the region has so much to offer, although we are noticing the difference in climate after moving from the NT. The Defence Force by its very nature is a great organisation to be involved in and over the last 17 years, we have had a very interesting and varied life. We have enjoyed some great postings that have taken us across the length and breath of the country as well as overseas. Canberra and Southern NSW can be a unique place to live and Defence families have a wonderful opportunity to experience all the nation's capital and Riverina have to offer. However, at the same time it can present some particular challenges associated with regional and rural communities.
My involvement in DFA is motivated by my desire to assist in the ongoing improvement in support for Defence families. As a high school teacher by trade, the effects of mobility on children's education are of major concern to me. Other important issues are the availability of childcare, home ownership assistance and support to families during spouse absence.
National Delegate for Central NSW
Brie McNab central.nsw@dfa.org.au
My partner Scott and I live in Sydney. Scott has been in the Navy for over 6 years and we have two sons, Benjamin (5) and William (1). We both originally grew up in Sydney so I have a great understanding of the region and the geographical challenges associated with the provision of adequate Defence community support vs. the sprawling urban landscape of the greater metropolitan area here. |
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I have a background in corporate procurement, logistics and supply chain, and am here as a committed supporter for all families located in Sydney, Richmond, Liverpool, Nowra and anywhere in between!
The Central NSW Region incorporates HMAS Waterhen, HMAS Penguin, Fleet Base East RAN, Defence Plaza, Victoria Barracks, Randwick Barracks, RAAF Base Richmond, Orchard Hills, Glenbrook, Liverpool Military Area, HMAS Creswell, HMAS Albatross, and the National Hydro-Graphic Unit Wollongong. .
National Delegate for South Queensland
Kym McKay sth.qld@dfa.org.au
Hi, my name is Kym McKay. My husband Phil and I have been married for almost 6 years and we have a wonderful little boy who is almost two. Phil has been in the Army for 15 years and we are currently enjoying the lovely lifestyle that Brisbane has to offer. As a spouse married to a Defence Member I am constantly trying to juggle all of the normal things in life that come with being a working mum and wife, along with the challenging aspects of my husband’s work commitments.
DFA is an organisation that’s primary focus is on improving the lives of Defence families and I am proud to be associated with it and also appreciative of all the benefits that we now all take for granted. The future of my son and family is something I feel passionate about and I believe that working with DFA is a way of pursuing positive change for not only my life and the lives of Defence families I know, but for all Defence families. So please, provide your feedback and ideas to DFA. We can all work together to improve the lives of our families.
National Delegate for North Queensland
Sandra Murdoch nth.qld@dfa.org.au
My husband Glenn and I moved to Townsville in January 2007 with our children Cameron (13) and Matthew (10). Glenn has been in the Army for 22 years and I have been an Army spouse for 14 years. In this time we have had seven postings. We are enjoying being back in Townsville with the wonderful lifestyle that North Queensland has to offer after having just spent the previous two years in very chilly Orange, NSW. Over the years our family has experienced the positive aspects as well as the challenges associated with life as an ADF family. If you have any issues you would like to discuss please do not hesitate to contact me.
National Delegate for South Australia
Rowena Jimmieson sa@dfa.org.au
Welcome to South Australia, my name is Rowena Jimmieson and I am a Navy Spouse. I live in Adelaide with my husband Ian and my two children, Willem (5) and Charlotte (2). I have found Adelaide to be a wonderful place to live with many activities for Adults and Children alike, you have numerous wineries (I think they are the best in Australia), beaches and the Hills. My husband Ian has been in the Navy for 17 years and has been a Submariner for 11 years. As the wife of a Submariner you come to understand the stresses that are put on a family when a partner is away from home for an extended period. With todays high operational tempo, and families experiencing extended deployments, we are seeing families have to deal with added pressures. I am eager to hear any of your comments and/or concerns. If you have any issues you would like discuss please email or call.
The South Australian Region incorporates RAAF Edinburgh, Keswick Army Barracks, Woodside Army Barracks, Port Wakefield Proof and Experimental Range, Navy Headquarters, Collins Submarine Project and the Air Warfare Destroyer Project.
National Delegate for
the
Hunter/Northern NSW
Sarah Hobden-Munroe nth.nsw@dfa.org.au
My husband has been in the Air Force for 17 years and we have two wonderful children, my step-daughter Michaela, aged 12, and our daughter Claudia, aged 4. We have been fortunate in our Defence posting life with only one remote locality posting away to Tindal, Northern Territory and then back again to Williamtown, NSW. My working background is in the community services sector, as a counsellor and women’s support worker. I hope to meet as many Defence families in the region as possible so that I can represent the region’s families on issues that may affect us all at one time or another.
National Delegate for Victoria/Tasmania
Trish Richards vic.tas@dfa.org.au
I have been a Defence partner for 12 years, my husband Shaun has been in the Army for 20 years and we have two young children. We recently posted to Fort Queenscliff. We have, like all Defence families experienced deployments, long absences from home as well as other experiences that impact our lives, which is why I find DFA a worthwhile organisation to support Defence families.
I look forward to meeting as many Defence families in the region as possible and representing them on any issue they may have.
The Vic/Tas region incorporates RAAF Williams, Fort Queenscliff, Puckapunyal, Simpson Barracks, Macleod, Victoria Barracks Melbourne, RAAF Base East Sale, HMAS Cerberus, Patterson Barracks, Launceston Anglesea Barracks, Hobart Derwent Barracks, Dowsing Point.
National Delegate for Western Australia
Penny Davison wa@dfa.org.au
My name is Penny Davison and I am an Army Spouse. We have three girls aged 12, 10 and 8. The middle one has Cystic Fibrosis (a genetic condition which affects her lungs and digestion among other things). We are currently posted to Perth after two years in Karratha (about 1700kms North of Perth), where I was the Senior Representative for DFA for the Pilbara Region. I would recommend a posting to a very remote locality to everyone as we had a wonderful time there. I come to DFA from several different angles as I have been a serving member of the Army (reserves), we have a child with special needs recognition and we have been posted to a VRL.
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National Delegate for the Northern Territory
Annaliese McCammon nt@dfa.org.au
My husband David and I have just arrived in Darwin with our 10 month old son Edward. I have been an army spouse for 6 years and this has been our 4th move in the last 4 years. It is my first time living up in the Territory (my husband has been posted here previously), and I am very much enjoying the "Top End" and the unique lifestyle it has to offer.
I am delighted to be involved with the dynamic team of DFA and being able to assist in creating change in areas that are important to Defence families throughout Australia.
I look forward to your correspondence regarding any issues and concerns you have, so that I can keep up to date, raise these topics for discussion on your behalf and help to provide assistance, advocacy and information to Defence families in the Northern Territory.