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