Media
Media Inquiries should be directed to the DFA National Convenor, Nicole Quinn on 1800 100 509 or convenor@dfa.org.au.
Defence Families Take Their Message to Canberra
DFA Contribute to the Australian War Memorial
June 25th 2008
Defence Force Families Take Their Message to Canberra
The Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel 81/08 Education, housing and spouse employment are key themes at this year’s Defence Families Australia (DFA) Conference. Bringing to Canberra Defence spouses from across the country, the 2008 conference entitled ‘Moving the Modern ADF Family’, will particularly focus on the pressures on ADF families as a result of the current high operational deployment. Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP said he hoped the DFA conference would not only highlight the challenges that ADF partners and children face, but also discuss solutions that best serve the family, as well as the nation. “The work our military does would not be possible without the love and understanding of their families. Retaining our servicemen and women also means supporting their families and children. “This support can be seen in the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme which provides progressively higher home loan subsidies to permanent ADF members who serve beyond the critical departure points of 4, 8 and 12 years. “Starting next week, the scheme represents a significant incentive for ADF members to remain serving and will assist them and their families in the current competitive housing market. “Similarly the Rudd Labor Government has begun to respond to concerns regarding health care, by trialling a free health care model for ADF families in Singelton in NSW, Pilbara in WA, East Sale in Vic, Cairns in Qld and Katherine in the NT. “In other areas too I remain committed to easing stress on our ADF families, and await with interest the conference’s resolutions on such issues as spouse employment, housing relocations, and education. “I also welcome the five newest national delegates into DFA, and look forward over their two year term to hearing ideas from their particular states. The new national DFA delegates are: Kym Mackay - Southern Qld; Penny Davison - Western Australia; Annaliese McCammon - Northern Territory; Trish Richards - Victoria and Tasmania; Brie McNab- Central NSW Media contacts: Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon): 02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689 Nicole Quinn (DFA): 02 6266 2334 or 0410 626 103 Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664 |
To visit Minister Snowdons website click here
May 18th 2008
The War on the Home Front
Frank Walker of the Sun Herald writes about how Defence families cope at home when their partners are 'absent from home'. Click here to read the great article.
February 21st 2008
Defence Families of Australia Unveil Memorial Seat & Plaque at Australian War Memorial
Defence Families of Australia was proud to make possible the inclusion of a family seat, set in the beautiful grounds of the Australian War Memorial today.
The functional seat (under a shady tree) and plaque are a symbol of the contribution that Defence families have made to our nation by supporting the Defence Member throughout ADF history.
Hosting the event was DFA National Convenor, Nicole Quinn whom was joined by Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, AO, DSC, CSM, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Mr Steve Gower, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, and all members of the DFA National Executive.
Also attending the event were respresentatives from all the organisations, stakeholders and departments that support Defence families - National Welfare Coordination Centre, Defence Community Organisation, Defence Special Needs Support Group, Personnel Executive, Defence Family Matters, Royal Australian Navy Central Canteen Fund, Army Relief Trust Fund, Returned & Services League, Defence Force Welfare Association to name a few.
Chester Ward, son of Emma Ward (DFA Administration Officer) and WGCDR Christopher Ward (East Timor 00, Iraq 02 & 06) read a poem that he wrote about being part of a Defence family, which you can read by clicking here.
The Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel 12/08
The importance, strength, self-reliance and courage of the families of Australian Defence Force members has now been officially recognised at the Australian War Memorial, with the unveiling of a plaque and a garden seat.
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, joined Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, Vice Chief of the Defence Force, the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Mr Steve Gower, and members of Defence Families of Australia in a ceremony at the War Memorial today. “In war and in peace, the men and women of our Australian Defence Force have been supported by their families. The work they do would not be possible without the love and understanding that families give. “Today provides a long overdue opportunity to recognise the families’ contribution,” Mr Snowdon said. “There are many challenges that go with being in the Australian Defence force family. “Our families face frequent relocations, they have to deal with a family member being away from home on training or deployment for weeks or even months at a time – all these factors add up to an increased level of pressure. “We are committed to easing these pressures as much as we can, but the first step is to recognise the contributions of our families,” said Mr Snowdon. The plaque accompanies a bench seat in the War Memorial’s Sculpture Garden. “By establishing this seat here in the sculpture garden we seek to remind the visitors to this place that every person who serves in the Australian Defence Force carries with them the love, the hopes and the fears of a family,” Mr Snowdon said. “We thank these families for their service to our country.” Media contacts: Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon): 02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689 Nicole Quinn (DFA): 02 6266 2334 or 0410 626 103 Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664 |