Hello to all of our defence families and friends, I have included some information regarding “National Families Week” for your consideration. Please follow the links below or go to the Defence Kidz website.

The unique challenges Australian Defence Force
(ADF) families experience are recognised annually at events across Australia, as part of “National Families Week”. 

 In 2024, “Veteran Families Day” was formally recognised by the South Australian
Government.

This year, Defence Kidz (Defence Kidz Foundation Inc.) have invited DMFS to share
an initiative with the DSM Network:
 “Create to Celebrate, developed by Defence Kidz to mark Veteran Families Day on
15 May.
Veteran Families Day is a national opportunity to recognise the strength, resilience
and sacrifices of the families who support our current and former serving members.
It’s a day to acknowledge that behind every veteran is a family that has walked
alongside them through service, deployment, transition and beyond.
To help schools honour this important day, we’ve created a free resource pack to
support classroom engagement and reflection. The pack includes:
 
•             Colouring sheets representing the Army, Navy and Air Force
•             A military-themed word find activity
•             Australian Curriculum-aligned lesson plans for Reception to Year 6
•             A reflection booklet for students to draw and write about their families
•             An explanation sheet with ideas to implement in the classroom or
               schoolyard

A message from your Family Liaison Officers
We know that periods of separation—whether due to deployments, exercises,
courses, or unaccompanied postings—can be challenging for Defence members and
their families. But you are not alone. There are a range of support services and
programs available to help you navigate these times. Through Defence Member and
Family Support (DMFS), you can access resilience-building workshops, social
connection events, and practical resources tailored to your needs. If you are part of
an Unaccompanied Resident Family (URF), there are community engagement
activities and welfare support networks designed to keep you
connected. There are also great resources for children to help them understand and
cope with parental absences. Our role as your Family Liaison Officers is to support
you, provide guidance, and ensure you have access to the services that can make a
real difference. If you ever need a chat, advice, or just a friendly face, please reach
out—We are here to help.

Regards, Deb and Heather
You can contact us on 07 4430 3879 or by email dmfs.townsville@defence.gov.au

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Defence Member and Family Helpline

For advice, support or local community information, contact our all-hours Defence
Member and Family Helpline. Run by Defence Member and Family Support, the
helpline is the best way to access the programs and services that we offer to help
Defence families manage the military way of life.
The helpline is available 24/7 and is staffed by qualified human services
professionals, including social workers and psychologists.