192.Intro to Defence Life for New Spouses PART THREE
Military Life
This week on the Military Life Podcast, you’ve got me, or should I say, I’ve got you! I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits. In PART THREE, I talk all about; -Partner employment assistance program (PEAP) -The ADF Family Health Program -Mental health support via Open Arms and ADF Chaplains -Help with sourcing childcare for Defence children...
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191.Intro to Defence Life for New Spouses PART TWO
Military Life
This week on the Military Life Podcast, you’ve got me, or should I say, I’ve got you! I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits. On PART TWO, I talk all about two big Defence Life topics; -Housing options and Defence Housing Australia (DHA) -TOLL the organisation tasked with moving us to and from our posting locations We also hear from a handful of Defence...
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190.Intro to Defence Life for New Spouses PART ONE
Military Life
This week on the Military Life Podcast, you’ve got me or should I say, I’ve got you! I thought I would put together an episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits. We also hear from a handful of Defence Partners who have previously detailed their spouse journey with us on past episodes. Defence Partners Nicole, Rae, Katie and Amanda talk about what it’s really like to become a Defence Partner and...
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189.Revisiting the FIRST ever episode of the Military Life Podcast!
Military Life
As part of celebrating 6 years of the Military Life Podcast, let’s revisit the first EVER episode with Defence Partner Natalie. Natalie has experienced separation, multiple deployments, surprise pregnancies, mental health struggles, and so much more in the now 20+years (it was 15+ at the time of recording) that she has been a Navy Spouse. This episode really has stood the test of time. Natalie’s experience of Defence life and her willingness to share her story so that others listening can hear and feel they aren’t alone was truly so amazing, and what this community is all about. ...
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188.A Focus on the Wellbeing of Navy Families
Military Life
This week on the Military Life podcast, I continue my Defence Family Focused conversations with the ADF Service Chiefs, prompted by National Families Week, which took place recently. Episode 188 with Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley is a continuation of last year’s episode with the Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond. What is great about this being the second podcast episode focused on Navy families is that it shows a genuine willingness to connect, understand, and communicate directly with families continually. Rear Admiral Buckley and I discuss a range of topics...
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187.A Focus on the Wellbeing of Army Families
Military Life
When I got the call that the Chief of Army Australia, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, wanted to come back on the Military Life podcast ahead of National Families Week 2025, I have to admit I was feeling a mix of emotions. The one at the top of the list- PROUD. Proud because it signalled that Defence Families are being thought about and considered. Proud because it means there has been a shift in the way Defence Leaders are communicating with families, thanks to all of us and those partners who came before us. Proud because it shows the genuine care, understanding, and so importantly, the...
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186.Deployment from the ADF Member's Perspective
Military Life
RE-RELEASED EPISODE This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with my Husband Scott, who has, just days ago, returned from a 6 month deployment. We speak about; -The ins and outs of deployment from the Defence member’s perspective. -What happens when the ship pulls away from the wharf and sets off on its journey? -How it feels for the Military member to be away from their family for long stretches. -Scott answers all those little questions you might have but never get the chance to ask. Ready to join the ML community? Click through the link to get connected
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185.The Australian Military Wives Choir
Military Life
RE-RELEASED EPISODE This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with the National Music Director of the Australian Military Wives Choir, Cath Parsons, about her journey as a spouse and where the idea for the AMW Choir came from. Cath and I also speak about; -How the Choir went from being a handful of people in Canberra to locations around Australia -Why the Choir is about what we do as spouses rather than what our military partners do at work -How the Choir creates a safe space for spouses and why all singing abilities are welcome -Why the Choir isn’t about rank or service with...
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184.The first 12 months of being a Defence Spouse
Military Life
RE-RELEASED EPISODE This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with Susan, who has just hit the one-year mark of being a Defence spouse. Susan and I speak about; -The huge changes she and her Husband went through during the first 12 months of living Defence Life. -What Susan expected Military life would be like versus the reality. -How she adjusted to going from seeing her Husband everyday to months of separation. -The decision to give birth to their second child without her Husband by her side. -The impact having a second baby alone and solo parenting had on her mental health. -How she...
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183.Open Arms Community & Peer Program-Celebrating 5 Years
Military Life
This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with Open Arms Community and Peer workers Jess and Sarah after the program recently celebrated its 5-year anniversary. Jess, Sarah and I speak about; -The Community and Peer program and how it aligns with the mental health supports Open Arms provides. -Why the Community and Peer program was established and how important it is that Peer workers have lived experience. -What draws Veterans and Defence Partners to become Community and Peer workers? -Why Community and Peer Workers are an important part of the Open Arms ‘Stepping Out’ program -How...
info_outlineThis week on the Military Life Podcast, you’ve got me, or should I say, I’ve got you!
I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits.
On PART TWO, I talk all about two big Defence Life topics;
-Housing options and Defence Housing Australia (DHA)
-TOLL the organisation tasked with moving us to and from our posting locations
We also hear from a handful of Defence Partners who have previously detailed their spouse journey with us on past episodes.
They answer the question- What have you learnt about Defence life?
As you will hear, our experiences are all unique yet have so many common threads that run so deep and connect us.
On the next episode of the Military Life Podcast, we’ll talk about the Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP), the ADF Health Program and related benefits, accessing FREE Mental Health support via Open Arms and other avenues, and so much more.
Below are all the links and resources discussed in this episode of the podcast.
DHA General Information and FAQ’s
https://www.dha.gov.au/housing
Becoming an Approved Agent
https://www.dha.gov.au/housing/formsold/agent
PACMAN (Pay and Conditions Manual)
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman
Family Categorisations
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/understanding-family-categorisations
Rent Bands
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/annex-7a
Rent Allowance
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/rent-allowance
Assistance with Utilities Connections and Bonds
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/chapter-7/part-10/div-3
Interest Free Loans
Army Relief Trust Fund
https://armyrtf.com.au/loans/general-loans/
Royal Australian Navy Relief Trust Fund
https://www.keepingwatch.org.au/about-us/ran-relief-trust-fund
RAAF Welfare Trust Fund
https://raafwelfaretrustfund.gov.au/
Flexible Housing Trial
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/housing/flexible-housing-trial
DRHM (Defence Relocations and Housing Manager) to get in contact, use the email address below and your query will be passed on to your local DRHM
DHA Emergency Maintenance Line
139 342
DHA Maintenance Requests and FAQs
https://www.dha.gov.au/housing/maintenance
Living Apart (URF)
TOLL