203.First Interstate Move & Pivoting her Career
Military Life
On this week’s Military Life podcast episode, I speak with Siobhan Mullins, Defence Partner and Founder of the Paper Advocate-Simple DIY Divorce Separation Agreements. Siobhan and I speak about; -Her introduction to Defence life, starting a family, and her first interstate move -Learning how to connect and build a support network in a new location -Pivoting her career as a Family Lawyer to work alongside Defence life -Starting her new business and platform, the Paper Advocate -How the Paper Advocate is making separations and divorce...
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202. DEFGLIS Supporting & Representing Defence Force LGBTI People & Families
Military Life
On this week's Military Life podcast episode, I speak with Racheal Cosgrove-White Veteran and President of DEFGLIS the Defence LGBTI Information Service. Racheal and I speak about; -Who DEFGLIS is and why such an important organisation exists -Who does DEFGLIS support and represent -How DEFGLIS has changed and evolved over the years -The impact DEFGLIS has had on the lives of LGBTI defence members and their families -Why it is important to have a group like DEFGLIS -The safe and secure space DEFGLIS offers for LGBTI members and their families -Why DEFGLIS are working to stamp out...
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201.A Focus on the Wellbeing of Army Families
Military Life
On episode 201 of the Military Life Podcast, Chief of Army Australia Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army Kim Felmingham, and I continue our family- focused conversation and speak about; -An update on what Army families have been telling the Chief of Army in 2025. -The importance of the RSM-A also engaging directly with Army families. -The evolution of Army’s focus on families over the last 2 years. -An update on the Army Families Handbook and future plans for this important resource. -The Army Partner Support pilot program and plans to expand it in...
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200.ADF Grants & Entitlements when Buying a Home
Military Life
So, you've decided that now is the right time to start saving for or look at buying a house....yay, go you! If you're like me, you have so many questions (so many) and need answers STAT about the potential homebuyer grants, and ADF schemes and entitlements you and your military member may be able to apply for. But…. those answers need to be explained in plain old non-military speak, which is why Defence Bank's Regional Manager for Lending Distribution, Ashley Wills, and I talk you through ALL.THE.THINGS when it comes to saving for and buying a house. In this episode, Ashley and I talk...
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199.Overseas Posting Update with Nicole PART TWO
Military Life
On this week’s Military Life podcast episode, Defence Partner Nicole, who is currently posted in the USA with her ADF member and two children, comes back on the podcast (for PART TWO) to give us an update and answer more of our overseas posting questions. Listen in to last week’s episode for Part One of my chat with Nicole. If you would like to listen to my first episode with Nicole on the topic of overseas postings, where we discussed preparing for an overseas posting, arriving, and settling in, check out episode 173.
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198.Overseas Posting Update with Nicole PART ONE
Military Life
On this week’s Military Life podcast episode, Defence Partner Nicole, who is currently posted in the USA with her ADF member and two children, comes back on the podcast to give us an update and answer more of our overseas posting questions. Stay tuned next week for Part Two of my chat with Nicole. If you would like to listen to my previous episode with Nicole, where we discussed preparing for an overseas posting, arriving, and settling in overseas, check out episode 173.
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197.Defence Member Family Support PART TWO
Military Life
This week on the Military Life Podcast, Part Two of my chat with Director General of Defence Member and Family Support Libby Cremen. We talk all things DMFS, including; -The Partner Employment Assistance Program and the recent changes to PEAP -The ADF Families Survey and how DMFS uses the data to improve programs & support -The importance of engaging with a range of Defence families to ensure representation of a diverse community -The new Defence Families Portal (to be launched soon) that will streamline access to information, support and services -Changes to the Family Support Funding...
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196.Defence Member Family Support PART ONE
Military Life
This week on the Military Life Podcast, Part One of my chat with Director General of Defence Member and Family Support Libby Cremen. We talk all things DMFS, including; -Who DMFS are and the support and services they provide for Defence Families -Connecting with Defence Families early so that they “know us before they need us” -The 24-hour DMFS helpline and when and why to contact the helpline -Defence Social Workers, Family Liaison Officers, Education Liaison Officers, and Military Support Officers explained -The significance of the introduction of the Defence Member and Family...
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195.Mental & Physical Clutter and Defence Life PART TWO
Military Life
On this week’s Military Life Podcast episode and as the Defence Community start to receive news of postings and possible moves, I re-release PART TWO of my chat with Defence Partner and Declutter Expert Tara Tuttle. Tara knows the challenges of Defence Life and moving and packing and unpacking and all the things! Tara also knows the challenges Defence Families can face when it comes to organisation, clutter, holding onto things, feeling overwhelmed and how physical and mental clutter are often connected. In PART TWO, Tara and I talk about; -Just in case items and...
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194.Mental & Physical Clutter and Defence Life PART ONE
Military Life
On this week’s Military Life Podcast episode, and as the Defence Community start to receive news of postings and possible moves, I re-release PART ONE of my chat with Defence Partner and Declutter Expert Tara Tuttle. Tara knows the challenges of Defence Life and moving and packing and unpacking and all the things! Tara also knows the challenges Defence Families can face when it comes to organisation, clutter, holding onto things, feeling overwhelmed, and how physical and mental clutter are often connected. Tara and I talk about; -The two types of people when it...
info_outlineRe-released Episode- Military Life Community Connectors EXPLAINED PART 2
Maybe you have heard about Military Life Community Connectors, or maybe you want to know more about them. This episode is all about who they are, what they do, and why I felt there was a need for the Military Life Community Connector Program.
No one quite gets you like a fellow Defence Partner, but finding and connecting with other partners can be both tricky and nerve-wracking!
It took me 10 years to find a Defence Partner friend. Partly because I didn't realise what I was missing out on. Partly because I was downright scared to step forward to connect. Partly because I was reluctant to put my hand up for support. Partly because I wasn't given the opportunity to connect and belong in my community.
So, when I finally found what I didn't even know I was missing, that connection and support only fellow Defence Partners can give, I felt a weight lift off of me. I caught my breath. I felt like I belonged and wanted every Defence Partner to have what I had found.
That's why I created the ML Community Connector Program and where Community Connectors come in! I wanted to give every Defence Partner the opportunity to CONNECT and BELONG in their community just like I had because I knew in my heart what a huge difference it made having Defence Partner friends in your corner who just got you and defence life.
ML Community Connectors play a vital role for Defence Partners by bringing them together to create meaningful connections with each other, offering peer support and information, empowering Defence Partners with confidence to access local and defence community-related services, and acknowledging the importance of belonging.
Community Connectors are amazing Defence Partners around the country who have stepped forward and put their hand up to volunteer to help connect spouses in their community- the defence community by providing consistent and welcoming spouse-focused events (on weekends and child-free) that ALL Defence Partners can attend.
We currently have ML Community Connectors in Amberley and Enoggera QLD, HMAS Cerberus VIC, Sutherland and Williamtown NSW, Rockingham WA, Adelaide SA, and Canberra ACT. Community Connection events take place regularly (every 6 weeks or so). If you would like to become a Community Connector in your location, get in touch via hello@militarylife.com.au!
Have a listen to Episode 168 (PART 1) first to find out more. If you would like to learn more about a Community Connection Event happening in your area, click through to your ML Closed State/Territory Facebook group for details (links below).
ACT- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongact/
QLD- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongqld/
TAS- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongtas/
VIC- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongvic/
NT- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongnt/
SA- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongsa/
NSW- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongnsw/
WA- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongwa/