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_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.
In PART FOUR, I talk all about;
-Remote Postings
-Deployments and ROCL (Relief Out of Country Leave)
-Overseas Postings
-Financial Support
-Relationship Breakdown
-Defence Special Needs Support Group
-DEFGLIS (Defence Gay & Lesbian Info Service)
-DFA (Defence Families Australia)
Below are all the links and resources discussed in this episode of the podcast.
Remote Postings
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/perform-duty-remote-location
Remote Location Leave Travel
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/remote-location-leave-travel-rllt
ADF District Allowance
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/adf-district-allowance
Deployment
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/deployment
https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/military-life-cycle/absence-from-home/deployment
Relief Out of Country Leave (ROCL)
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/chapter-17/part-8/div-3
Overseas Postings
Military Life Podcast Episode- Overseas Postings
Episodes 60, 69, 173 and 174
Financial Support, Services & Education
ADF Financial Services Consumer Centre
https://adfconsumer.gov.au/home-v2/
Emergency Support for Families Scheme
The Navy’s Anchorage- Grants and Loans
https://thenavysanchorage.com.au/
Royal Australian Navy- Keeping Watch/Relief Trust Fund
https://www.keepingwatch.org.au/about-us/ran-relief-trust-fund
Army Relief Trust Fund
RAAF Welfare Trust Fund
https://raafwelfaretrustfund.gov.au/
Bravery Trust
Wounded Heroes
https://www.woundedheroes.org.au/
Veteran and Families Hubs- RSL Lifecare
https://www.dva.gov.au/what-we-help-with/advocacy-representation-advice/veterans-and-families-hubs
Legacy
https://www.legacy.com.au/get-support/
Rising Sun Charity
https://risingsuncharity.org.au/
Relationship Breakdown
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/chapter-6/part-5/div-10
https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/pacman/chapter-8/part-11
Ex ADF Spouse Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1G3mEMXNAn/
Defence Special Needs Support Group (DSNSG)
DEFGLIS (Defence Gay Lesbian Information Service)
Defence Families Australia
https://militarylife.com.au/defence-partner-info-hub/dfa/
Past DFA Advocacy Maps
https://militarylife.com.au/dfaadvocacymaps/
Helplines/Crisis Support
Defence Member and Family Helpline 1800 624 608
A 24/7 helpline for services and information from Defence Member and Family Support.
1800 IMSICK 1800 467 425
A 24/7 phone service providing nurse triage and health support for members after hours or off-base.
All-hours Support Line 1800 628 036
A confidential 24/7 phone service triaging access to medical, psychology and social work services.
Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office 1800 736 776
A confidential 24/7 phone service for those affected by sexual misconduct at home or work.
Chaplaincy Services 1300 333 362 (ask to speak to the on-call Chaplain in the area)
A 24/7 on-call chaplaincy service for pastoral care, support or advice.
Support outside Defence
The following helplines are not affiliated with Defence. Defence does not endorse or recommend any third party products or services.
1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732
National sexual assault and domestic violence counselling.
Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36
Help for anywhere in the mental health journey.
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Support for kids anytime, any reason.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Crisis support and suicide prevention.
Mens Line Australia 1300 78 99 78
Helping men deal with relationship problems.
Open Arms 1800 011 046
Counselling, group programs and suicide prevention for members, veterans and families.
Safe Zone Support (hosted by Open Arms) 1800 142 072
Free and anonymous counselling line (separate to Open Arms).
SANE Australia 1800 187 263
Helping Australians affected by mental illness.
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Free nationwide phone counselling service.