ADF grants provide funding for families

Australian Defence Force (ADF) families will benefit from more than $1.4 million in grants provided to organisations across the nation as part of the Family Support Funding Program. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the program provided vital funding that allowed community organisations to deliver support and services of value to Defence families and strengthen relationships with the Defence community. “Families play an important role in the Defence community and these grants will help the recipients deliver community projects such as health and wellbeing workshops, recreational and resilience programs, art and cultural activities and more targeted projects supporting post-traumatic stress disorder and the special needs community,” Chester said. “Grants are awarded to not-for-profit incorporated community groups that can deliver activities and services to Defence families, to help them engage with their local communities, support their wellbeing and share information and ideas that help them manage the demands of military life, such as the impact of frequent postings and deployments. I congratulate the 41 grant recipients and thank them for all they do for the Defence community and encourage any organisation supporting Defence families to review the guidelines and submit an application for future rounds.” The grants program is managed by Defence Community Organisation which provides a wide range of programs, information and assistance for Defence families. Defence families can contact the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 for information on accessing community resources. For more information visit the Defence Community Organisation website at: www.defence.gov.au/dco. Family Support Funding Program Australian Capital Territory Recipient Electorate Funding description Awarded amount Solid Rock Defence Ministry Australia Inc Bean Solid Rock offer dignity and value to every female partner of serving Defence personnel. They provide small group support and encouragement at various locations around Australia to offer community, stability, pastoral care and practical support to Defence female spouses and families. Funding supports the employment of a national coordinator and two area leaders, advertising, supplies for welcome bags, the national weekend retreat and course sessions. $5,000 Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc Canberra DSNSG supports Defence families who have a dependant with special needs by providing assistance, information and being an advocate on problems and issues that arise in the day to day living of a special needs family managing the Defence lifestyle. Funding will support various programs for recognised DSNSG families including information workshops, computer courses, drive safe training and family events. $68,000 Duntroon Community Centre Canberra Duntroon Community Centre seeks to achieve ‘a place to belong’ for Defence families and a sense of community for them during their time in Canberra. Support activities include playschool, playgroup, a collaborative workspace, family connections, health and wellbeing and family friendly events. $40,000 Gungahlin Defence Families Playgroup Inc Fenner Gungahlin Defence Families Playgroup offers a support network and platform for education and developing community connection, through the running of a playgroup. Funding will support playgroup activities, wellbeing courses, a welcome event, venue hire and to replenish supplies. $9,400 New South Wales Recipient Electorate Funding description Awarded amount Kissingpoint Cottage Bennelong Kissingpoint Cottage enriches the lives of Defence families by providing a safe meeting place for the dissemination of information, formal support and the making of friendships and connections. This will be achieved through the continuation of support and services currently offered and by building on these services to reach more families, offering new sessions which the local Defence community has shown a need for, such as tailored social activities and health and wellbeing activities and courses. $60,708* 3Bridges Community Limited Cook 3Bridges Community Limited provides services which address the isolation, stress and lack of family support networks that Defence families experience due to the gap in community support services in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney through their Early Years Support Service (EYSS). The service supports families suffering from issues such as postnatal depression, anxiety, ill health, disability, multiple births, premature births and partners who work far from home or who serve in the ADF. Interested Defence families will also have the opportunity to volunteer and additional opportunities to engage with the community through groups such as playgroup, craft, Tai Chi, children’s services, walking groups, computer courses and counselling. $25,768 Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation Cook Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation provides support to young people from Defence families experiencing mental illness with the aim of empowering them to build resilience, lifelong knowledge and abilities, so they can reach their potential. The project offers serving Defence families in the Canberra and Shoalhaven regions with evidence-based, age appropriate prevention and early intervention mental health services, embedded within a peer-based social and activity based format. $75,000 Holsworthy Community Group Hughes Holsworthy Community Group connects with the Defence community to minimise the feeling of isolation felt by families which can often lead to mental health and/or relationship breakdowns. The Holsworthy Community Group provides services and programs which are tailor made to meet the needs of the local Defence community that facilitate interaction and to assist in making connections both personally and professionally in a safe and supportive environment. $35,000 Singleton Defence, Families and Community Inc Hunter Singleton Defence, Families and Community Inc delivers programs and activities to address the challenges experienced by Defence families in their unique posting location, such as a regional location, housing limitations, decreased spouse employment opportunities, high proportion of family absence, and the demographics and demands of the Defence workforce. The programs and activities offered address these challenges by increasing the variety, frequency, flexibility and availability of support opportunities accessible. $35,800 Randwick Family Centre Kingsford-Smith Randwick Family Centre offers a safe place for families and serving members of all ages to come and connect with like-minded people. The funding supports weekly playgroup costs as well as the expansion of services including Friday drop-ins, fitness sessions, after school activities, book club and wellbeing and family events. $37,836 Defence Richmond Family Centre Macquarie Defence Richmond Family Centre offers Defence families the opportunity to come together to nurture friendships, build relationships and be that constant cornerstone to help face the challenges of military family life. This is achieved through the delivery or regular programs such as playgroup, coffee catch ups, craft and book clubs as well as other special family events and celebrations. $33,600 Hunter Region Botanic Gardens Paterson Hunter Region Botanic Gardens offer the ‘Gardens Tranquillity for Health Promotion for ADF Families’ which encourages RAAF families to participate in events at the gardens for the benefits of health and wellbeing in an outdoors setting. Families will benefit through access to garden activities which include sensory experiences, learning about the environment including water saving programs, talks on conservation and biodiversity as well as access to guided tours, volunteering opportunities, attending bush tucker seminars and encountering new experiences for all ages of the Defence community. $27,000 Williamtown Defence Family Group Incorporated Paterson Williamtown Defence Family Group Incorporated provides support to Defence families through regular programs and activities such as social events to decrease loneliness and isolation as well as through running wellbeing workshops to reduce the challenges associated with a mobile military life. The organisation also provides welcome bags for families to reduce the stress of moving to a new area. $11,400 Williamtown Playgroup Inc Paterson Williamtown Playgroup Inc offers a social network for Defence spouses with children aged 0-5 years to come together for playgroup and monthly family events in order to reduce the sense of isolation and provide support to one another. $9,742 Kapooka Neighbourhood House Inc Riverina Kapooka Neighbourhood House Inc provides regular programs and special events targeting community engagement, social networking and building resilience and self-esteem for Defence families. Programs include social connections such as book club and pot luck dinners, one off seasonal events, a community garden, playgroup, health and wellbeing programs such as a kid’s boot camp and sports activities and educational programs such as nutritional cooking classes. $36,509 The RAAF Army Navy Community House Inc Riverina The RAAF Army Navy Community House Inc (the RANCH) provides opportunities and a safe place for Defence members and their families. As a tri-service community group, the RANCH offers a range of support and activities for the entire Defence community of Wagga Wagga to come together for mutual support and friendship, education, connection with the community they live in and support for their personal and social wellbeing. $30,200 Charity Bounce Limited Sydney Charity Bounce Limited provides significant opportunities for Defence families through activities including community basketball events and clinics, outreach opportunities, and opportunities to attend ticketed Sydney Kings/Flames home games. Participants will build connection with other families, gain new skills and receive active sports benefits, be inspired through professional athlete role models, have the opportunity to attend live sports events with other Defence families, participate in resilience building activities, increase motivation through participation, integrate into their community and learn health and wellbeing principles. $35,000 *funding amount provided over multiple financial years. Northern Territory Recipient Electorate Funding description Awarded amount Robertson Barracks Family Group Inc Lingiari Robertson Barracks Family Group Inc enriches the often challenging lives of Defence families by providing a safe meeting place for the dissemination of information, formal support and the making of friendships and connections. This is achieved through the continuation of support and services currently offered and by building on these services to reach more families, offering new sessions which the local Defence community has shown a need for such as tailored social activities and health and wellbeing activities and courses. $71,100* Network Tindal Incorporated Lingiari Network Tindal Incorporated provides a strengthened sense of community for Defence families and opportunities to come together for mutual support, education, social engagement and information sharing. The group provides social networks and community connections that support people’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing to help manage the isolation often felt by Defence families posted to this region. $42,300 Larrakeyah Neighbourhood House Solomon Larrakeyah Neighbourhood House offers a safe place for families to interact and support one another, create greater social connections and acknowledge the day to day living challenges of a remote location. The group offers that extra level of support to families dealing with absence from home due to operational exercises, training, courses or deployment of the serving member. $36,585 Reeling Veterans Inc Solomon Reeling Veterans Inc provides family fishing trips as a form of therapy for current serving veterans and helps build reconnections with their children promoting strong families. Over the course of the day, Defence families are taken through a series of lessons including fishing safety, rules and regulations, conservation of fish habits, casting techniques, retrieval and fish handling. $27,500 The Top Ender Tri-Services Magazine Incorporated Solomon The Top Ender Tri-Services Magazine Incorporated publishes a bi-monthly magazine to provide Defence families an essential resource to find services, keep them informed on local matters and link families into Defence and wider community events, activities and programs for social networks and connections. The organisation wants to increase their engagement by forming partnerships with like-minded groups providing social connection and wellbeing courses. $56,080 *funding amount provided over multiple financial years. Queensland Recipient Electorate Funding description Awarded amount Amberley Defence Families Inc (Trading as Amberley Community Connect) Blair Amberley Community Connect enriches the often challenging lives of Defence families by providing a safe meeting place for the dissemination of information, formal support and the making of friendships and connections. This is achieved through the continuation of support and services currently offered and by building on these services to reach more families, offering new sessions which the local Defence community has shown a need for such as tailored social activities and health and wellbeing activities and courses. $24,624 TRACTION for Young People Ltd Bowman TRACTION for Young People Ltd engages 12-15 year old Defence students who are not achieving their potential in a traditional school environment and who are feeling the impacts of managing the Defence way of life. This mobile outreach program will be offered through one day condensed programs as well as the full nine week programs. Participants will dissemble, strip back and rebuild new BMX bikes under the guidance of trained mentors providing positive role modelling to help develop confidence and build respectful relationships with others in different social settings. $42,300 Gallipoli Barracks Community Centre Brisbane Gallipoli Barracks Community Centre supports Defence members and their families by providing a variety of programs and activities to cater for a range of different age groups. As the Defence lifestyle presents unique challenges and opportunities including the impact of frequent postings and deployments, the centre also offers a safe place of good social foundations with a strong sense of community and a support network for those feeling the isolation a posting can bring. $38,150 Toowoomba Defence Families Support Association Groom Toowoomba Defence Families Support Association provides a community centre where Defence families located around the Milne Pine Training Depot can come together for support and to form friendships. The group’s mission is to minimise the social and cultural isolation for Defence families in their area and offer regular programs and activities in direct response to the need of the local Toowoomba Defence families to ensure their social and emotional wellbeing is maintained. $22,850 Cairns Defence Community Support Group Inc Leichhardt Cairns Defence Community Support Group Inc offer a range of activities, events and opportunities to support a stronger community, stronger families and stronger friendships to help alleviate social isolation for Defence families posted to the Cairns region. These opportunities allow the Defence community to come together and to provide opportunities for the community to connect as a group, engage in activities, source services and find out what the local area has to offer. $32,643 Little Diggers Community Centre Leichhardt Little Diggers Community Centre offers playgroups twice a week, bellies and bubs once a week for expecting mothers, wellbeing and educational programs for adults and social events throughout the year to Defence families posted to the Cairns region. $11,246 Rock Impact Incorporated Leichhardt Rock Impact Incorporated will deliver to the “Strengths Fathers Program” to engage male ADF members to increase awareness of the impact that fathers have on their children. The program is a 7 session evening facilitated program for up to 10 fathers to raise awareness and provide fundamental information about positive fathering practices. It also aims to build on their relationship strengths with their children, improve parenting skills as well as provide supported referrals to other services and information. $30,000 South Australia Recipient Electorate Funding description Awarded amount Woodside Defence Families Association Mayo Woodside Defence Families Association enriches the often challenging lives of Defence families by providing a safe meeting place for the dissemination of information, formal support and the making of friendships and connections. This is achieved through the continuation of support and services currently offered and by building on these services to reach more families, offering new sessions which the local Defence community has shown a need for such as tailored social activities and health and wellbeing activities and courses. $31,150* Table Tennis Australia Sturt Table Tennis Australia (TTA) increases community engagement whilst promoting the health benefit of an active lifestyle to the Defence community in seven locations across Australia.  TTA will work with the Defence Community Organisation local offices to engage and link into Defence families’ networks in regions such as Townsville, Cairns, the ACT, Brisbane, Albury/Wodonga, Brisbane and SA. The project will offer ‘teaser sessions’ run by local clubs and accredited coaches, followed by facilitation of an eight week table tennis program for children including a personalised kit for each child. Family challenges and events will also be arranged as part of the package. $60,440 *funding amount provided over multiple financial years. Victoria Recipient Electorate Funding description Awarded amount East Sale Family Group Curtin East Sale Family Group support Defence families by offering them the opportunity to take part in a range of group activities within the local area. The project aims to facilitate programs and activities designed to make everyone feel welcome and encourage participation allowing families to settle into the area quickly and require little or no previous experience to participate. Activities include open days, family fun days, wellness events, book club, playgroup and online programs. $35,290 Cerberus Community Hub Flinders Cerberus Community Hub offers the “connection and belonging” project which aims to reinvigorate existing supports and implement new activities and programs to provide Defence families with a direct and inclusive way of building stronger connections to the Cerberus community and enduring friendships and networks of support. The project will aim to meet the ever-changing and diverse needs of Defence families through a comprehensive program of supports to meet the breadth of diversity and specific needs of the local Defence community, creating a culture of openness, engagement and targeted supports. $37,000 Simpson Barracks Community Centre Jagajaga Simpson Barracks Community Centre provides Defence families with support programs to address social isolation and promote a sense of belonging and community connectedness. The project will be delivered through providing Defence families opportunities for learning and promoting personal growth through programs such as first aid, mental health first aid and wellbeing workshops. The project also aims to assist families that are new to Defence life by creating lasting friendships and support networks enabling them to establish a solid foundation. $32,700 Puckapunyal and District Neighbourhood Centre Inc Nicholls Puckapunyal and District Neighbourhood Centre Inc provides support services to Defence families which aim to increase engagement, emotional support and provide personal and professional development for participants as well as  networking and friendship building opportunities. This will be achieved through the continued delivery of programs and activities. The centre also aims to improve the experience for Defence members and families and make their time in the community positive. $39,300 Western Australia Recipient Electorate Funding description Awarded amount Marilla House Community Centre Brand Marilla House Community Centre offers opportunities to help bridge the gap between Defence families and the local community by helping families integrate more easily into their new surrounds by giving them opportunities to create meaningful community connections through relevant services such as education and community groups as well as weekend activities, and school holiday events delivered by qualified and motivated staff and a motivated group of volunteers. $36,016 Karrakatta Community House Inc Curtin Karrakatta Community House Inc provides a place that supports and embraces the community of the Australia Defence Force promoting friendships and building resilience, through activities and learning. Families living in WA, particularly those with deployed spouses can find the transition to the West very difficult due to the isolation and distance from family, making these services vital. $26,600 Special Air Services Regiment Auxiliary Incorporated Curtin Special Air Services Regiment Auxiliary Incorporated engages SASR families in a positive and supportive environment that facilitates integration and develops resilience required for a military lifestyle. The project will offer family networking opportunities and programs to support the wellness and resilience the Defence community, thereby supporting ADF capability. $74,052* Pilbara Regiment Family Group Durack Pilbara Regiment Family Group offers activities and a support network for families to thrive in the challenging and harsh environment in this remote locality. Through regular programs and activities the group aims to continue to reduce social isolation and increase connectedness, strengthen family and community functioning, promote community engagement and participation and support the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of Defence families. $25,000 Pearce Community Croup Inc Pearce Pearce Community Croup Inc creates a sense of community and a support network for families posted to RAAF Base Pearce by providing opportunities to connect through regular activities such as social connection activities, health classes and family events. The project also supports families to connect with local services and provides families with current information about available Defence support networks. $21,000 *funding amount provided over multiple financial years. Overseas Recipient Electorate Funding description Awarded amount Defence Club PNG N/A Defence Club PNG provides support to ADF members and their families posted to this hardship location. Due to security issues and opportunities between or outside the residential compounds, the project will focus on community engagement to normalise the coming together for social, recreational and educational activities that would not be possible outside of this funding opportunity. $15,550 For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]