Robyn Ritchie Na.onal Convenor
Defence Families of Australia
September 2014
The beginning of DFA…
“there is a con5nuing amount of issues to concern the NCGSS, and there is at present no other independent organisa5on or system which performs the same func5ons. We therefore conclude that there is indeed a need for the NCGSS to con5nue with full support.”
Mrs D.A. Dunn & Brigadier G.J. Murphy – August 1992
DFA secures support
The DFA Team – August 28, 2014
Who are we?
An independent advisory body providing feedback on interests and
views of the Defence Family
• Minister for Defence Personnel • Chief of Defence Force • Service Chiefs • Defence stakeholders
DFA Outreach
Assistant Minister for Defence Chief of the Defence Force
DFA Patron NaFonal Convenor
DFA NaFonal:
Communica.ons Officer Policy Officer
Admin Support Staff (APS)
NaFonal Delegates regionally based:
ACT & Southern NSW Southern QLD
Western Australia Northern Territory Victoria & Tasmania
Central NSW Northern QLD South Australia
DFA Local Family RepresentaFves in larger areas
ADF Families
Local Command & Stakeholders
Deployment and Absence From Home
Mobility
Danger
Risk Factors
• Member with Dependents (MWD) 48% 27,809
Navy 42% Army 47% Air force 57%
• Member with Dependents (Unaccompanied) (MWD(U)) 7% 4,035
Navy 8% Army 6.5% Air force 7%
• Member Without Dependents (MWOD) 45% 25,823
Navy 50% Army 46.5% Air force 36%
ADF Figures 2014
Who are the ADF clientele?
Who are ADF families?
“More should be done to connect family members with other people in their area. Also, more awareness of the impact on Defence families should be shown as it is not possible to survive on a single income whilst the Defence members spouse is looking for work/seTling in in the new loca5on.”
Partner comment – DFA Annual Survey 2014
Support to ADF families
“Our aim is to ‘survive Sydney’ ”
Spouse – 2014 DFA Annual Family Survey
Areas of concern for ADF families
A short journey back in time…
Future housing development
Knowing what’s important
Member
Family Community
Neighbourhood & Community
The structure of the Defence family is always evolving.
Family dynamics
People used to criFcize the “Patch”
• Sense of community & belonging
• Security
• Support from neighbours during member absence
• Children playing safely
• Balance
Larrakeyah, NT
Location, location, location
DFA will con.nue to collaborate with the Minister, ADF and major stakeholders, maintaining the
momentum of change, to ensure support systems effec.vely mi.gate the risks of mobility, absence from home
and danger.
A voice for Defence Families…
"Yes, please do not let standards of houses or their loca5ons erode... I feel ashamed of the place we are in because we don't fit in it, cannot entertain and have had to lose some favourite furniture.
My house is my safe place because we are away from family and friends who live in other states... it is really important to me.“
Partner comment – DFA Annual Survey 2014