Our Executive Staff
National Convenor
Julie Blackburn
It’s a pleasure to be taking over the role of DFA National Convenor. 
My involvement with Navy life began when I met my husband Guy 15 years and three children ago.
Aside from my personal Defence family experiences, I bring to the role of Convenor a professional background in families and health. Be it physical, mental or social well being – I recognise that the health of the family is often compromised by the ongoing stressors that work and family life balance presents.
Defence families are ordinary people, trying to live ordinary lives, often dealing with extraordinary challenges. In the current climate of reform, we need to ensure that the conditions that impact on our psychosocial needs are not compromised, and indeed remain in focus.
With rising issues in the mental health area, I strive to ensure that Defence has understanding of what this impact is on the entire family unit, and that families have the appropriate resources to empower them with resiliance to support the challenges they face.
I look forward to representing your needs to the Chief of Defence Force, the Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, the Government and Department of Defence. You can contact me by clicking here
National Communications Officer
Position Vacant
The National Communications Officer is a Canberra based position for a partner of a current serving member of the Australian Defence Force. The Communications Officer is selected by the Convener, and appointed by the Minister responsible for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science.
The National Communications Officer works a dedicated day each week in the Canberra office and plays an integral role in helping DFA achieve its primary aim of increasing effective communications in the wider Defence community.
The National Communications Officer is responsible for disseminating information on DFA activities and Defence information relating to Defence families to local service newsletters, organisations and appropriate Defence related publications and their web sites.
They also play an active role in drafting and promulgating DFA web site content, so previous experience in this area is most desirable. Additional training and future professional development in this field will be provided to the successful applicant. The web managing aspect of this role also requires few hours week
The National Communications Officer is part of the DFA Executive and as such actively participates in decision making and contributions to discussions and submissions on DFA activities and initiatives. The Communications Officer also supports the National Convenor, National Policy Officer and the ACT National Delegate representing DFA at meetings and briefings as needed.
A requirement of the role is excellent writing and computing skills to assist with achieving the dynamic demands of this exciting job including twice yearly participation in a DFA professional development training week and conference
For further enquires and an information pack please contact Emma Ward on 1800 100 509 or email Emma.Ward@defence.gov.au.
Administration Officer - National Office
Emma Ward
Emma has been the nexus of an Airforce family for nineteen years, and experienced 14 postings all over Australia and India with husband Christopher, a RAAF Legalo.
During that time, three sons (Jasper 18, Chester 15, Banjo 14) 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 a wealth of Defence family knowledge. Emma and friends founded the RAAF Darwin Community Centre for the sole purpose of providing respite & support networks for Defence families particularly spouses with Members absent from home.
When asked why she has spent the last twenty years volunteering for her community and organisations such as DFA she replies "you get back in life what you give out, especially from all the inspirational mentors I have met "
National Delegate for the ACT and Southern NSW
Keron Wise
National Delegate for Central and Northern NSW
Julie Dryden
I have been a Defence spouse for 14 years and my husband Steve has been in the Navy 22 years. We have a young son who has just had his first day at school, after preschool and childcare.
We live in Sydney and have undergone several removals over the years. We have often endured long separations and the associated challenges and opportunities that it brings. The impacts of defence life is different for each member of the family.
DFA provides a wonderful avenue for issues that affect Defence families to be raised, represented and addressed. I look forward to meeting you and being able to represent you and assist you with any comments, issues or concerns you may have.
National Delegate for Victoria & Tasmania
Kym McKay
Hi, my name is Kym McKay. My husband Phil and I have been married for 7 years and we have a wonderful little boy who is two and a half….need I say more! Phil has been in the Army for 16 years and we are currently living in Puckapunyal. 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.
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 & Pilbara
Debbie Yates
I have been with my husband, Scott, since high school and when he left Perth to join the Air Force and attend ADFA 17 years ago, I decided to follow him to Canberra and thus begin my life as a Defence spouse.
We have had the opportunity to enjoy two separate postings to Canberra, almost eight years in Adelaide and an amazing 18 months posting to Washington DC, before finally securing a posting to our home town of Perth in December. We have three lovely children, Alyssa (5), who has just started school, Charlotte (2) and Jake (our new baby - born late January this year). Our family, along with my own career and business and a penchant for volunteering keeps our household very busy.
I have really enjoyed all of our postings and have experienced many of the ups and downs that come with being a Defence spouse and part of a Defence family. I think the role that DFA performs is very important and am enjoying being part of the organisation. I look forward to being actively involved in the WA Defence community during my time as National Delegate and please get in touch if I can be of any assistance at all.
National Delegate for South Australia
Jessica Dean
Hi, I'm pleased to say I'm your new DFA ND for SA!
My husband Shaun and I have been together for 10 years and we have two little boys Thomas who is 4 years old and Joseph who is 17 months old.
I served as a Medic in the RAAF for 5 years and discharged soon after having my first baby. My husband and I have been moving around Australia in the RAAF for 9 years and we have faced many challenges together. Postings, separation, isolation & education are just a few of the challenges Defence familles face.
I have only just recently been introduced to DFA and the role they play. I was so happy to learn of this organisation for Defence families. I'm very excited about taking on the ND position for SA and being your voice for Defence familles in South Australia region which 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..
I look forward to hearing from you with your comments, questions or concerns.
National Delegate for South Queensland
Jillian Macey
Welcome to sunny South East Queensland. My husband Steve and I have beena Defence family for 15 years with the Army and we have 3 lovely children, Bethany-11, Shaun-9 and Erin-8. We are currently living in Ipswich, which has a long RAAF history and, as a result of Army relocating here, will soon become a ‘super base’ with a very diverse range of Defence families.
I believe that whilst we all share challenges such as; postings (we have had 6 up till now), the different school curriculums in each state, and finding new work and friends, everybody has their own unique experiences due to family dynamics and other influences, it is important that everyone have the opportunity to collect and share relevant information that allows us all to improve and enrich our family lives and that’s why by joining an energetic team such as DFA, I hope to be able to offer support, provide assistance and raise issues for discussion on your behalf.
Please feel free to drop me an email or give me a call, so that we can help make a difference, not just for your and my families, but for all Defence families.
National Delegate for North Queensland
Position Vacant
To learn more about this role and how to apply, please click here
National Delegate for the Northern Territory & Kimberley
Marion Donohue
My name is Marion Donohue and I was introduced to the Defence Force 12 years ago when I met my Husband Craig, who was a Captain with the 25th / 49th Battalion at Enoggera. Never having had any exposure to the Defence Force or Defence Members, my journey began from scratch. 12 years on, 3 beautiful healthy children, 6 postings, numerous deployments ,many life long friends, frustration, isolation and life changing experiences, here I am representing the NT and Kimberly region as a voice for Defence Families
.
Prior to returning to Darwin at the start of this year my family and I spent the last three years in Canberra. While Craig was posted to Army HQ I renewed my own career after a break of five years as a full time mum. The challenges of working, studying, raising my family and being pregnant highlighted to me just some of the issues facing modern Defence Families. Knowing many Defence Families have to achieve all this, while a loved one is deployed inspired me to volunteer for this important role.
My aim is ensure Defence Families know they have a representative who can advise and support their family with the ability to raise their concerns to the local and national level. I see this opportunity as allowing Defence Families to make the most out of their posting to the Top End.
I would encourage any Defence families to use the support of DFA and contact me if they have any questions or quires about how we can best represent you.
National Policy Officer
Annaliese McCammon
My husband David and I live in Canberra with our two sons. I have been an army spouse for 7 years and this has been our 4th move in the last 4 years.
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.
Lateral Recruit Officer
Camilla Kerr-Ruston
Having been married to Stephen and the British Army for almost 16 years a move to Australia was going to be just another move. Well it was and it wasn't, and there were and still are moments of complete culture shock! Once I was here I met more Lateral Transfer Families and they had so much knowledge about intricacies of moving to Australia that I wished I knew about before leaving the UK.
They provided invaluable advice once I was here on everything from 'fly buys" to what to put on jellyfish stings to hanging your darks out at night to dry to prevent fading. I also found out that Laterals Transfer Families have extra limitations placed upon them in regards to jobs, education and citizenship and this is what led me to contact DFA so we could work together in helping lateral recruit families. This resulted in the creation of 'Lateral Recruit Officer' position and I feel very privileged to be given this opportunity not only to assist Lateral Transfer Families but all ADF families.