By
Graham Davis
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Children
enjoy games at the DCO/North-organised “getting to
know you” afternoon tea on Garden Island on December
7.
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Photo:
LSPH Damian Pawlenko
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With
more than 500 RAN personnel away for Christmas as part of Australia’s
commitments to operations in Iraq, the Indian Ocean, and the Solomons
it can be lonely for both parties – those away and the loved-ones
at home.
The Defence Community Organisation’s northern Sydney region
did something to ease the pain of being apart and to re-inforce
to those at home that there is a network to turn to if problems
arise.
On December 7, DCO/North personnel conducted a “getting to
know you” afternoon tea for parents and children at the pavilion
at the northern end of Garden Island.
Forty adults and children with loved ones in HMA Ships Melbourne,
Parramatta and Newcastle and from the Army, attended the two-hour
function.
“Spouses with people deployed in HMAS Melbourne sought each
other out and talked together,” Catherine Hoe, a Family Liaison
Officer for DCO/North told Navy News.
“Similarly we found partners from HMAS Parramatta talking.”
During the function DCO staffers were able to distribute an address
book, which as well as being used for personal information, has
important telephone numbers where Defence spouses and partners
can get help.
Any family member with a problem over the upcoming Christmas/New
Year period – indeed at anytime – and needing help,
should call the Defence Department’s National Welfare Coordination
Centre on 1800 801 026.
The centre is continually manned and covers all of Australia.
