Introduction

Sandra Murdoch is our North Queensland National Delegate. She took up the role when she moved to Townsville at the end of 2006. Sandra comes to DFA with a wealth of experience having been a National Delegate in the Sth Qld region for 2001 and 2002.

Defence Families of Australia (DFA) is a group formed to represent the views of Defence families. Its aim is to improve the quality of life for Defence families by providing a recognised forum for their views and by reporting, making recommendations and influencing policy that directly affects families. ADF families can contact DFA to represent them regarding an individual situation or to advocate an issue concerning many families.

Sandra Murdoch (DFA National Delegate for NQ)

NQ Representative

Sandra Murdoch

New National Delegate for Far North Queensland

Hi, my name is Sandra Murdoch and I am delighted to be the new National Delegate for North Queensland with Defence Families of Australia.

My husband Glenn and I just moved to Townsville in January 2007 with our children Cameron (13) and Matthew (10). Glenn has been in the Army for 22 years and I have been an Army spouse for 14 years. In this time we have had seven postings. We are enjoying being back in Townsville with the wonderful lifestyle that North Queensland has to offer after having just spent the last two years in very chilly Orange, NSW.
Over the years our family has experienced the positive aspects as well as the challenges associated with life as an ADF family. If you have any issues you would like to discuss please do not hesitate to contact me.

As a National Delegate I have been appointed by the Minister assisting the Minister for Defence, to be a spokesperson for Defence families in Far North Queensland. If you wish to discuss any matters regarding our local community or your family please do not hesitate to contact me nth.qld@dfa.org.au or check out our web site. Defence Families Australia has spent the last twenty years working tirelessly to help families with individual issues and to advocate large issues affecting many families in an area or at a national level.


DFA:

• sits on many Defence committees to represent ADF families.
• is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation of Defence partners led by a National Convenor.
• Issues that DFA are currently involved in include:
• Child care expansion program
• Family Support Funding Advisory Committee
• Defence Housing Australia Advisory Committee
• New Housing Classification Policy
• Superannuation review
• Deployment, Relocations and Housing support
• Education Assistance review
• Support to Community Groups and Houses

I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you at community events.

Best Wishes Sandra

Latest Bulletin

Dear DFA Family Network Member,

Please find attached the latest edition of our Defence Families of Australia E Bulletin.
Enjoy, and please forward on to Family, Friends & Community Groups.

Best Wishes

Emma Ward
Administration Officer
Defence Families of Australia
CP2 – 1 – 11
Campbell Park
Canberra ACT 2600

Ph: 02 6266 2768
Fax: 02 6266 3712
A/H: 02 6292 7413

DFA E-Bulletin September 2007

Upcoming Events

Pre-Conference Meetings

The DFA Annual Conference is on in Canberra 18-22 June and the theme of this year's conference is Absent From Home. The DFA Executive Committee meets once a year to discuss current issue's affecting Defence families and to be briefed by Defence personnel and stakeholder organisations on issues and policies. The Executive Committee makes recommendations, if required, to Defence and the Minister as an outcome from Conference.

How to Help Yourself!

Support!
Families can show support for our goals of representing their needs by subscribing to our family information network. Please take a few minutes to enter your details on our web site www.dfa.org.au/subscribe.php. You will receive quarterly DFA news bulletins updating you on DFA activities and contribute to being a 'voice for Defence Families'.

How can you be involved in DFA?
We have a number of volunteer positions available, if you are interested in learning more about volunteering with DFA or becoming a Senior Representative for your area, again please contact me

If you need help or would like more information, visit the DFA website www.dfa.org.au, contact me on email: nth.qld@dfa.org.au or phone 1800 100 509.

DFA Home Page

Defence Families Australia Home page

Background

Aim

The aim of DFA is to improve the quality of life for Defence families by providing a recognised forum for their views and by reporting, making recommendations and influencing policy that directly affects families.

Operation

ADF families can contact DFA to represent them regarding an individual situation or to advocate an issue concerning many families.

DFA is recognised as a well respected group which all major parties rely on to provide feedback on views and interests of ADF families. The Convenor and volunteer Delegates work directly with Regional Managers and local Commanding Officers to clarify or resolve issues affecting local families.

History & Achievements

Defence Families of Australia (DFA) was formed in 1986 to represent the views of Defence families. Since that time DFA have been the official representatives of Defence families and has worked to improve conditions for all Defence families. Until August 2002 DFA was known as the National Consultative Group of Service Families (NCGSF).

DFA (NCGSS/NCGSF) has had many successes at national, local and regional levels. Many issues have been resolved by passing recommendations directly to CDF and the Minister for action. We consider ourselves to be an extremely proactive and empowered group and are extremely proud of our efforts to date, our work in progress and the issues we imagine we will encounter in the future.

Patron

Our patron is Julia Anderson, wife of The Hon John Anderson.

Organisation

DFA Organisation

Convenor and Executive

The Convenor meets regularly with the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, the Chief of the Defence Force, and the Head of Defence Personnel Executive to report and make recommendations on behalf of ADF families.

Our Delegates are voluntary and appointed by the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence for a two year term with a possibility of a further extension for two years. DFA volunteers operates at national, regional and local levels.

Defence Families of Australia has:

• A National Convenor in Canberra
• 9 Delegates located around Australia
• Senior Representatives in most Defence locations, and
• we aim to have 2000 subscribers

Convenor Directives

• To provide feedback to the Minister, CDF and HDPE regarding issues and concerns of families throughout Australia.
• Managing a regionally based Executive Committee,
• Managing the DFA daily operations.
• Attend meetings with Defence and external service providers
• Prepare written submissions and correspondence
• Deliver presentations and conduct media or Government Senate interviews as required.

Delegates Directives

• Provide feedback and information to the Minister, Head Defence Personnel Executive and other Defence departments regarding the issues and concerns of families throughout their region and Australia via the Convenor.
• Prepare submissions on behalf of families in their region on topics that have been raised by families.
• Keep up to date with incoming information from the National Convenor and other Delegates as to issues effecting Defence families throughout Australia.
• Provide assistance, advocacy and information to Defence families regarding individual situations.
• Meet regularly with local command, Regional Managers and family groups within their region.

Senior Representatives Directives

• Keep up to date with current DFA activities;
• Have contact with Defence families, Command and stakeholders in the region
• Respond to the requests made by the Convenor or National Delegate for specific feedback.
• Advise the National Delegate in your region of any concerns you may have on behalf of families in your area or issues that may have been raised with you