South Australia
Adelaide
Including Adelaide, Edinburgh, Port Wakefield and Woodside.
News
Events
Community groups and centres
Regional information
NEWS
2013 Welcome event
Visit our Welcome events page to find out more about welcome functions in your region. You can also 'Like' our Facebook page at to receive real-time updates in your news feed.
DCO South Australia Bulletin
Find news, articles and information about local events, groups and activities in Adelaide.
June-July 2012 edition
EVENTS
2013 Welcome event
Visit our Welcome events page to find out more about welcome functions in your region. You can also 'Like' our Facebook page at to receive real-time updates in your news feed.
Pack a Parcel
Families can come together to prepare care packages for deployed loved ones, have photographs taken and share a pizza for dinner.
Where: RAAF Base Edinburgh Community Centre
When: Friday 1 March 2013, 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm
RSVP: to DCO SA on 08 8305 6231
Fast Friendship
A social event for Defence families to get together and meet other families in their local area.
Where: Sportsman's bar in the Officers' Mess, RAAF Base Edinburgh
When: Wednesday 6 March 2013, 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm
RSVP: to DCO SA on 08 8305 6231
Easter in the Park
Defence children can enjoy an Easter egg hunt the weekend before Easter.
Where: Mobara Park, Garden Terrace, Mawson Lakes.
When: Sunday 24 March 2013
RSVP: to DCO SA on 08 8305 6231
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND CENTRES
ADELAIDE
Buddies in the Burbs
Buddies in the Burbs, an initiative of the North East Defence Community Inc, connects Defence families in Adelaide with other families in their suburb area through Facebook. Jump onto the one in your area and meet your Defence neighbours!
Elizabeth Buddies (Elizabeth, Hillbank, Craigmore): www.facebook.com/groups/buddies.elizabeth
Beachside Buddies (Semaphore, Port Adelaide, North Haven, Largs): www.facebook.com/groups/buddies.beachside
Bug Smashers Buddies (Mawson Lakes, Salisbury, Parafield Gardens, Paralowie, Gulfview Hts, Salisbury Hts, Burton): www.facebook.com/groups/buddies.mawsonlakes
The Grove Buddies (Golden Grove, Greenwith, Modbury): www.facebook.com/groups/300661743315896
Inner North Buddies (Oakden, Northgate, Walkley Heights, Greenacres): www.facebook.com/groups/buddies.innernorth
Far North Buddies (Munno Para, Blakeview, Andrews Farm): www.facebook.com/groups/defencefamiliesplayford
Gawler Buddies (Gawler, Hewitt, Angle Vale, Evanston, Barossa): www.facebook.com/groups/buddies.gawler
Cityslickers Buddies (City, Unley, Keswick, Norwood): www.facebook.com/groups/buddies.cityslickers
North East Defence Community Inc. (NEDC)
The North East Defence Community Inc. (NEDC) is a tri-service group based at RAAF Base Edinburgh – we organise events and activities to help Defence families & couples develop a support network. It’s all about making new friends and enjoying Defence life in Adelaide.
Where: RAAF Base Edinburgh
Our regular sessions include:
PLAYGROUP
For ages 0-5. There are plenty of toys, role play equipment, educational activities, playpen area, nursery items and a great outdoor play area with playground & sand pit.
When: Wednesday and Friday, 9.30 am–12 noon during school term
FAMILY DAYS
Held every two months on Saturday or Sunday. Involves a BBQ at the Community Centre or a day trip somewhere fun in Adelaide.
LADIES NIGHTS
Movies and dinner, happy hour drinks, theatre evenings, cooking classes, etc.
When: One Friday evening every two months.
SPOUSE SUPPORT SESSIONS
Presentation on topics relating to Defence family life such as coping with deployments, parenting and first aid training.
When: Every fourth Thursday of the month, alternating between daytime and evening.
C3 GROUP – CRAFT, COFFEE AND CHAT
No crafting experience necessary – learn something fun or a new skill, or just have a good natter.
When: Every third Thursday of the month
COFFEE MORNINGS
Visiting different play-cafés around Adelaide.
When: Every second Thursday of the month, 10 am–1 pm
In addition, the centre offers various school holiday activities, family camping weekends, crèche days, a library and equipment for hire.
More information: nedc.edinburgh@rocketmail.com or 0438 644 157. The NEDC also has a Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/nedcfamily
WOODSIDE
Woodside Defence Families Association (WDFA)
The Woodside Defence Families Association provides support to Defence families in many ways, offering a variety of activities and events to suit everyone. It consists of a Community hall which is used for morning tea, scrapbooking, sewing, information sessions, book club and other social events. We also have a separate Playgroup and playground area. We provide a welcoming venue for support, fun and friendship.
Our committee members welcome families to the Woodside area with a food basket and information pack. The pack includes tea, coffee, biscuits, fruit, local council information, local Hills magazine, DCO & WDFA newsletter. Many great friendships have been formed from this initial greeting.
Where: Woodside Army Barracks
MORNING TEA
We often have guest speakers attend such as DCO representatives, local DSTA, as well as the Padre, RSM and CO come along when they can. There are toys for the kids, and this is a great opportunity to meet other Defence partners over a hot cuppa.
When: Monday, 9.30 am during school term
PLAYGROUP
There are lots of toys, books and puzzles. We have a different craft activity for the children each week as well as outdoor play. Our new playground is fantastic and the cubby house if popular too. Kids of all ages are invited and we have facilities for even the little ones, including two high chairs and bouncers.
When: Wednesday, 9.30 am during school term
BOOK CLUB
Each month we read a different book suggested by the local library. We then get together to discuss the book over dinner. Everyone brings a plate to share.
SEWING
We have different “theme nights”, or you can just come along and work on your own project.
When: Every second Thursday, 6 pm–9 pm
In addition to our regular events, weoffer avariety of social outings suggested by our members. Activities include movie nights, progressive dinners, family pizza nights or sausage sizzles. We offer family days to involve husbands and children, giving an opportunity for everyone to get together. We also have a Christmas party which includes a bouncy castle, face painting and a visit from Santa.
More information: Call the WDFA co-ordinator on 0467 805 707 or DCO SA on 08 8305 6231. You can also email wdfa10@gmail.com, visit www.woodsidedefencefamilies.com.au or look us up on Facebook.
Top
REGIONAL INFORMATION FOR ADELAIDE
For personalised advice about your local area, call the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.
Getting started
The following resources and websites can give you a good grounding in local information and services available.
ADELAIDE
Government of South Australia
Lots of excellent information about services like transport, health, emergency and recreation.
www.service.sa.gov.au
Welcome to South Australia
Extensive regional information and a guide to what’s on, attractions and things to do across South Australia.
www.southaustralia.com
SA Community
A great searchable database of community resources.
http://sacommunity.org
Resident packs are available from council offices in your new location, containing details of many community facilities of interest. Contact your local DCO office for more information.
PORT WAKEFIELD
Welcome to Port Wakefield
Community and services information for Port Wakefield, a coastal town located about 100 km north of Adelaide and home to the Proof and Experimental Establishment.
www.portwakefield.sa.au
Wakefield Regional Council
Extensive local information for Port Wakefield.
www.wakefieldrc.sa.gov.au
WOODSIDE
Adelaide Hills Council
Local information for Adelaide Hills, including Woodside.
www.ahc.sa.gov.au
Download a Welcome book
The Welcome to South Australia booklet contains detailed regional information to help you to get to know the Adelaide area.
Defence postings in Adelaide and surrounds include:
Keswick Barracks.
RAAF Base Edinburgh / Edinburgh Defence Precinct. Visit the website or the Defence intranet site and internal Defence Support Group site.
Hampstead Barracks.
Warradale Barracks.
Joint Proof and Experimental Establishment (Port Wakefield). Visit the Defence intranet site.
Woodside Barracks (Woodside).
Note: to view the Defence intranet sites for bases, the ADF member will need to use a computer with access to the Defence Restricted Network. These sites often have a wealth of information about the bases, facilities and services available.
You can also talk to your Unit Welfare Officer for more information.
DCO Office
Find your local Defence Community Organisation office by clicking on the Area Office tab in Contact us . You can connect with your local office and team by calling the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.
Schools and education
For information about the local school and education systems, click on the Local education tab in our Support for children's education section.
You can find which local schools have Defence Transition Aides or Mentors in place by clicking on the Aides and Mentors tab in the Support for children’s education section.
Childcare
Find your nearest Defence childcare centre by clicking on the Defence childcare centres tab in Contact us.
Alternatively, you can search for different childcare options in your local area at mychild.gov.au or call the government-run Childcare Access Hotline on 1800 670 305.
Visit www.playgroupaustralia.com.au to find local playgroups.
'Like' the DCO Facebook page to receive updates and info
