Helping families guide the way

AIR Force Headquarters is seeking information from anyone who has experience in providing assistance to families after the death of a member.

Next-of-Kin-Relations Officer Flight Lieutenant Kay Ellis is looking to repromulgate her guide to Air Force commanders, Looking after families following a Service death.

“Although I wrote this for Air Force, it has since been widely distributed to Army and Navy and to the Defence Community Organisation (DCO),” she said.

“This was particularly the case after the Navy Sea King accident.”

Flight Lieutenant Ellis was widowed in 1991 after her husband was killed in the crash of an Air Force B707 at RAAF Base East Sale. Drawing on her experiences and treatment after his death, as well as speaking with DCO and other families in 2002, she compiled a detailed report into how Air Force should support families following aircraft accidents.

The result was a 30-page guide that provided helpful, realistic advice on casualty notification, family aftercare and a range of personal and practical issues faced by commanding officers.

Now, the guide is to be reproduced as a tri-Service guide, following unanimous concurrence from the three Services and DCO. It will incorporate much of the information in the current guide, as well as including other material relevant to all Services.

Flight Lieutenant Ellis said she would be sourcing expert guidance on these and other related matters, but, “would like to hear of your experiences in looking after families following a death, as they may offer the kind of insight and understanding of the issues involved, as well as ‘tips and traps’,” she said. “That is what the original guide sought to provide.”

All information provided will be treated as private and confidential.Copies of the survey and further information can be obtained by emailing Kay.ellis@defence.gov.au or kellis@mail.cth.com.au or by calling 0412 779 500.

Copies of the survey are also available from the Directorate of Communication and Reputation Management at Russell. The Air Force commanders’ guide is at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/nok/

Completed questionnaires can be emailed or sent by mail to R1-6-C017, Russell Offices, Canberra ACT 2600.

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