Our Executive
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National Convenor
Julie Blackburn The role of National Convenor is a unique opportunity to provide a representational voice for all Defence Families. It is not a role I take lightly as I represent the diverse needs of all who are referred to as 'family' by our serving personnell ... parents, partners, children, significant others. Defence Families are ordinary Australians, trying to live ordinary lives, often dealing with extraordinary challenges as a result of the unique nature of Military requirements. |
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I bring to the role of Convenor a professional background in families and health. A large part of my work is assisting Defence to understand that the member is a central part of the family, and that policy and challenges associated with Defence life affects the entire family unit. Our Defence members need their families to have appropriate resources available to them that will empower and support them, and ensure that they can develop resilience to the challenges they face, and have relevant services available to them when they can't.
My personal Defence family experiences began when I met my husband Guy 17 years and 3 children ago, and continues on a daily basis.
I can represent your needs to the Chief of Defence Force, the Minister for Defence Personnel, the Government and Department of Defence. You can contact me by emailing convenor@dfa.org.au.
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National Communications Officer
Amita Tandukar I am passionate about providing genuinely useful information to Defence Families and am proud to be DFA National Communications Officer during an exciting period of change. As part of an Army family for almost 10 years, I’ve experienced overseas deployments, living interstate from my partner and several relocations. Most recently, the family has been given a crash course in child development by our three year old and baby. I currently assist the running of a not-for-profit playgroup centre in Canberra and a support network for business mums, which attracts many Defence partners. |
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My past role as a journalist focused on leadership and people management. Through this work I looked at human resources and family-friendly policies at the country’s top performing government and business organisations. I look forward to working with delegates, executive staff and Defence representatives to further improve Defence policy and communicate changes promptly to Defence Families.
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National Policy Officer
Kate Stone-Crouch Being given the opportunity to assist in formulating policy for Australian Defence members and their families – spouses, partners, children and parents – is something that I take on with humility and great passion. I have been involved as a Defence family member since I met my husband James 14 years ago. We have had some amazing (and challenging) experiences within the military lifestyle including the opportunity to live both overseas and in a number of Australian locations. |
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I bring to the role of National Policy Officer a background in HR Consulting, Change Management and a great understanding of the challenges faced by so many families and members – coping with ongoing illness or special needs and dealing with active deployment to a warzone.
I look forward to working with our forward-thinking National Convenor, the incredibly hard-working State Delegates and, of course, our Minister to make worthwhile and genuine changes to the lives of our ADF members and their families.
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National Delegate for the ACT and Southern NSW
Christina Saladino I've been married to an Air Force Member for over 12 years and have three school-aged children. I've experienced moving as a Defence Family from Adelaide to Wagga Wagga, to Melbourne and to Canberra at the beginning of 2010. I've used on-base facilities at all locations and really missed the on-base cinemas here. If my schedule permits, I try to attend the following around Canberra: DCO Floating Coffee Clubs - National Museum, Gungahlin Marketplace.and the Saturday Coffee Club - and Military Mums & Women At Home Business Owners Group (Email Jodie@mmwah.com.au for more details). |
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Although I am based in Canberra, my area includes Wagga Wagga, Nowra and Albury-Wodonga.
I lived in Wagga Wagga for 3 years and was involved with the RAAF Wagga Playgroup. I still have my daughter's t-shirt with the logo on it and I can’t let it go, even though she has well and truly grown out of it. Sadly, all of my close Defence friends have moved on, but I still have friends that are locals that I catch try and catch up with when I visit the area. Friends that I made in Wagga Wagga have moved to Nowra and Bandiana for service reasons, so I do hope to catch up with them, when I visit during 2012.
I look forward to hearing from you and above all meeting you.
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National Delegate for Western Australia
Helen Martin My husband has been in the RAN since 1984 after joining as a junior recruit. Having both been previously married, myself to an “O” boat submariner, my current husband and I met online in 1999. We married in 2000 when he was posted to Sydney. After nine moves (during the two marriages), three states and two kids later we are back in the West. People either love it or hate it here and I am one of the lovers of the West. I will be available for meetings so please feel free to contact me on the DFA email address. |
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I am looking forward to attending DCO functions when I can. I also attend Marilla House Community Centre regularly in Rockingham and will be getting out and about to visit the RAAF and Army Community houses.
As a family we are again doing another posting as Married With Dependants (Unaccompanied) from 2011. We did this in 2003, with my husband working from Perth, and now we have doing it in reverse, with my husband in Sydney.
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National Delegate for South Australia
Jacqui Bennett I have been married to a RAAFie forever. We have five children – all boys – ranging from 16 years to 20 months. I have over 20 years experience in Customer Service and feel that I have much to offer both DFA and the wider Defence Family community. I have worked in superannuation, been a property manager for over 300 properties, worked in the building industry and suffered through many long-term absences. |
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We have lived in Adelaide for the past 3 years. We have absolutely no family living near us, nor did we have anyone that we even remotely knew when we arrived. This in itself is very daunting, as you have to rely on each other so much during that initial time of relocation. It’s only when the member returns to work that it really hits you, you are totally on your own in a strange place. This is where DFA provides an avenue for information and direction which has been developed over many years with many real life experiences shaping what we can offer today.
DFA has been a fantastic avenue for me in being able to find out where I can go for help and guidance and sometimes even for a chat when things just seem too much. A smiling voice on the end of the phone is sometimes all it takes.
DFA is here to help and support other services provided by Defence such as DCO. I look forward to assisting other Defence Families.
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National Delegate for South Queensland
Caetlin Watch Nine years, a wedding, lots of horses, two beautiful little girls, several moves, two university degrees and two career changes later, I have arrived as the Southern Queensland National Delegate. Our little family is currently posted to Brisbane and I love taking an active role in the Defence community here. I have been a public servant with Defence for the past 6 years, but have decided to become a stay-at-home mum until our youngest is at school, which allows me the freedom and flexibility to study, take on this position, be an active member of the Defence playgroups and look after my little rug rats. |
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I am proud to have the opportunity to represent the Southern Queensland region. I whole heartedly believe that this lifestyle is what we make of it and I would like to be here to assist in making it the best for all Defence families.
Please send me an email so that I can assist, support and raise any issues that you may have.
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National Delegate for the Northern Territory and Kimberley
* We are currently seeking a Delegate to replace Marion.
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. Twelve years on, three beautiful healthy children, six postings, numerous deployments, many life long friends, frustration, isolation and life changing experiences, here I am representing the NT and Kimberley region as a voice for Defence Families. |
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Prior to returning to Darwin, 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 queries about how we can best represent you.
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National Delegate for North Queensland
Michelle Donohue I am proud to say that I have taken on the role as the National Delegate in North Queensland. I join the DFA Team with an extensive background in Defence for the past 12 years. I have previously served in the Army in Transport Corps and now as spouse to my serving husband in the RAAF. We have been blessed with four beautiful children, 3 boys and a girl with ages ranging from 22 months to 11 years. We have completed 8 moves to different areas of Australia, which in turn have had their own individual challenges for us as a Defence Family. |
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I look forward to hearing all your feedback and working with you to help make Defence a better employer for families in North Queensland and Australia.
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National Delegate for Victoria and Tasmania
Anne Carruthers I have been married to a RAAFie for the past 21 years. Throughout this time, we have been exposed to the full Defence adventure including re-muster, commissioning, deployment and nine postings. We have a teenage son who is currently in Year 12 and with a plea of "Please don't make me change schools again", we made the difficult decision as a family to become MWD(U) following my husband's posting to Sydney. |
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My working life has been primarily around hospitality and management in a casual, part-time and full-time capacity.
I am excited to have the opportunity to be a part of such a great organisation and look forward to representing Victoria and Tasmania.
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National Delegate for Central and Northern NSW Position Vacant for 2012 - Apply Now! |
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