Defence Family Matters
To find out about events for ADF families in Tasmania, visit our Eventbrite page. You'll be able to RSVP, add events to your calendar and share with friends.
Community groups & centres
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 Tasmania
The centre is run by a Coordinator who reports to a Volunteer Management Committee consisting of Defence personnel, Defence spouses and members of the wider community. Some of the services offered are: regular craft workshops and playgroups; health and wellbeing programs (offering back up child care in most cases); work and lifestyle information sessions and workshops and; support and referral services for the Defence and wider community.
The centre also partners with DCO Tasmania to support social and community events, such as Welcome to Tasmania.
There is an annual membership fee which enables you to participate in the AGM and apply to become a Committee Member, as well as receive monthly newsletters and the use of centre facilities at low or no cost during opening hours. Also, if you’d like to volunteer a couple of hours a week, or have skill sets and would like to share them through program facilitation at DPCC, please contact the Coordinator during opening hours. All contributions are valued.
Where: Dowsing Point Community Centre, Derwent Barracks, Goodwood Rd, Dowsing Point. (about 10mins drive from Hobart City or Lindisfarne)
When: Monday to Wednesday, 9.30 am to 2.30 pm during school terms
More information: Contact the Coordinator by calling 03 6237 7471 or emailing dpcctas@gmail.com
Open Arms provides counselling and support services to Australia's military community. If you have served one day of continuous full-time service in the ADF you can call them for support. They also support families, reservists and some peacekeepers. Call Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 for free, confidential counselling and group programs to support mental health and wellbeing.
Regional info
The following resources and websites can give you a good grounding in local information and services available.
Talk to your Unit Welfare Officer for more information about bases, facilities and services available for families.
Defence Family Helpline | 1800 624 608
