Defence Community Organisation

What  KidSMART Program

When  Thursdays during August (8, 15, 22, 29 August), 3.30-5pm

Where  Defence Community Organisation – Canberra, 8 Thesiger Court, DEAKIN

Info  For kids aged 7 to 10 years. The KidSMART Program is designed to help primary school kids manage issues arising from parent deployment and absence from home. It helps them learn how to manage change, stay connected with friends, meet new people, cope when they're feeling stressed or anxious and handle emotions. Kids will be provided with afternoon tea upon arrival. Parents don’t need to stay for the session. This program has had excellent reviews from families from our school whose children have attended this program in the past.

Changes to Defence Education Assistance Scheme

The Defence Education Assistance Scheme is intended to meet the gap, via tuition, where a child’s education has declined in grades as a direct result of posting (PACMAN Chapter 8, Part 4, Division 1, 8.4.5).

There is a new requirement for members to provide supporting evidence when requesting tutoring. This is reflected on the newly published AD301 Form. Supporting evidence includes a report card from the losing location and either a report card or written statement from the teacher outlining their observations of the child not being up to the standard expected of their peer group from the gaining location.

There is no longer the requirement to have a minimum number of receipts before claiming reimbursement for tutoring sessions.

ADF Families Survey

The ADF Families Survey is now open. The 2019 ADF Families Survey is an opportunity for ADF families to tell Defence about their experiences and opinions of military life.

The survey this year will focus on awareness of ADF support services, and will be an important source of information about the demands of service life on families and members. It assists Defence to understand how to improve programs, policies and communications to better meet the needs of ADF members and their families.

The survey will be available for completion online and should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. The survey will remain open until 21 June 2019. It is accessible via the following websites:

Defence Community Organisation: http://www.defence.gov.au/DCO/Family/Survey.asp

Defence Families of Australia: http://www.dfa.org.au/

Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling

Support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families. The Open Arms Group Programs Calendar for June-December 2019 has been published (see attachment). Alternatively, visit https://www.openarms.gov.au/get-support/group-programs or call 1800 011 046.

Duntroon Community Centre

What  Trivia on the High Seas

When  Friday 21 June 2019, 7-11.30pm

Where  RMC Sergeants Mess, Cnr Combes Road & Chumleigh Close, CAMPBELL

Info  Best dressed prize, lucky door prize, round prizes, and many more. $15 per person. Book tickets at https://www.trybooking.com/BCVOD

What  Daddy-Daughter Hair Class & High Tea

When  Saturday 22 June 2019, 9.30-11.30am

Where  Duntroon Community Centre, 1-30 Gymkhana Road, CAMPBELL

Info   Cost $15 for Dad + Daughter includes gift bag and yummy high tea. Additional daughters +$5. DCC Members only event. Email admin@duntrooncommunitycentre.org.au to obtain member code to book, then book tickets https://www.trybooking.com/BDFLV

Sonja Mingay DSM
Work hours: Mon-Wed 9am-3pm, Thu 9-11am