Defence Community Organisation

Community groups & centres

Richmond

Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation

The Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation supports kids living in families affected by mental illness. The program provides recreational educational camps and other activities, giving kids a break, in a fun, positive and safe environment. Kids have the opportunity t meet other kids in similar families and develop new friendships.

Kookaburra Kids Head Office
PO BOX 681 Gymea 2227
(02) 9525 7474

Website: https://kookaburrakids.org.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kookaburrakidsfoundation/

Defence Richmond Family Centre - RAAF Base Richmond

Is your local community centre that strives on supporting and uplifting the spouses, families and serving members of the ADF at RAAF Base Richmond.

Located on base (13 McNamara Avenue) we host activities that cater to a whole range of members and families. Our regular open hours are 10am-12pm Wednesday & Friday every week and anyone is welcome to join us.

Some of our activities include:

• Ladies Night In/Out
• Playgroup
• Book Club
• Family BBQs
• Picnic’s Coffee Catch Ups
• Training Programs Workshops

To keep up to date with our Centre you can join our FB group @DRFC or email richmondfamilycentre@gmail.com for more information.

Defence Special Needs Support Group

The Defence Special Needs Support Group is a non-profit benevolent volunteer organisation established to assist ADF families with a family member with special needs.

More info: DSNSG Richmond

Defence Empty Nesters No Kids (DENNKS)

Monthly social gatherings held at various locations. We invite single ADF members, members who are MWDU, Defence empty nesters and Defence families who have no children to join us.
Contact: DCO Richmond 4587 1130

The Hills District Defence Spouse & Families Group

Meet at various locations at Rouse Hill town Centre for a catch-up with a coffee an evening out or a movie.
For more information: Contact Michelle 0422 954 340

Kissingpoint Cottage

Kissingpoint Cottage is a tri-service community house in the Sydney district of Ermington/Dundas. Our aim is to support military partners and their children in a fun and friendly environment where everyone understands the unique lifestyle and challenges faced by Defence families.

If you are new to the area or would simply like to make some new friends, come along and try some of our weekly sessions. We would love to meet you!

Wednesday 10am to 12 noon

Playgroup (0-5yrs): Casual membership - $4 per family.  A great opportunity for your child to participate in a session of craft, activities & free-play, while you socialise with other mums. Please bring a piece of fruit, drink bottle and hat for your child.

Thursday (every 2nd and 4th Thursday) 10am to 12 noon

Story Time (0-5yrs): Casual membership - $4 per family. Bring your child along for a quiet morning of stories & craft. Please contribute a piece of fruit for morning tea.  

Friday 10am to 12.30pm

Adult Craft Group & Kids Crèche: Casual membership - $6 for craft; $12 for Crèche per family. Come along to our Friday craft group - bring your own project, participate in a pre-planned craft activity or simply have a cuppa & a chat. Your children will be cared for on-site by our very experienced babysitter. 

When: Payday Thursday
Where: the house with the orange fence, just behind Timor Barracks, 282 Kissing Point Road, Dundas NSW. 
More information: call 02 9874 4052, send an email to kissingpointcottage@gmail.com or visit the Kissingpoint Cottage Facebook page or feel free to simply drop in. We are open Wednesday to Friday.

North West Sydney Defence Club

When: Every second Friday morning at Hotel Pennant Hills 
Time: 10am 
More information: Allison 0413 184 323 | Facebook: north west Sydney Defence Club

Penrith Military Spouse Weekly Morning Tea

When: Thursday morning fortnightly
Where: The Little House of Coffee at the Flower Power Garden Centre, Orchard Hills
Time: 10am
Contact: Indah 0400 774 876 
Facebook: Penrith Defence Spouse Group

North West Sydney Defence Club

When: Every second Friday morning at Hotel Pennant Hills 
Time: 10am 
Contact: Allison 0413 184 323 
Follow us on facebook: at north west Sydney Defence Club

Australian Military Wives Choir – Richmond

Would you like to sing with the Australian Military Wives Choir? The Choir is a place for fun, friendship and the sharing of music. No experience necessary! We invite ADF members, partners, sister, and mothers to join us

When: 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month
Where: Five Dock RSL, 66 Great North Road Five Dock
Contact: amwc.sydney.west@gmail.com
Online: www.amwchoir.com

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service

VVCS provides free and confidential, nation-wide counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and anger. 

• VVCS Group Programs
• VVCS Group Programs calendar

Regional info

Getting started

The following resources and websites can give you a good grounding in local information and services available.

Glenbrook and the Blue Mountains

• Blue Mountains City Council - Community, services and environment information for the Blue Mountains
• Blue Mountains Tourism - Maps, highlights and things to do in the Blue Mountains
• Glenbrook Visitor Information Centre - Hamment Place, Great Western Highway
  1300 653 408

Richmond and Western Sydney

• Blacktown City Council - Community and services information for Blacktown (western Sydney)
• Hawkesbury City Council - Community, services and environment information for the Hawkesbury area, including Richmond
• Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre - Ham Common, Hawkesbruy Valley Way, Clarendon (opposite RAAF Richmond) or phone 1330 362 874
• The Hills Shire Council - Community, services and tourism information for the Sydney Hills (western Sydney)
• Penrith City Council - Community and services information for Penrith (far western Sydney), including Orchard Hills
  

Defence postings in Richmond and surrounds

• RAAF Base Richmond
• Defence Establishment Orchard Hills
• RAAF Base Glenbrook
• Bathurst (1/19 RNSWR).

You can also talk to your Unit Welfare Officer for more information.