Items filtered by date: December 2013

With Christmas almost upon us, the festive season will see many of us enjoying time catching up with family and friends. Keep in mind that not all in the Defence Community will be enjoying this period. For some, this becomes a stressful and lonely time of the year. Many Defence families are relocating to a new area for the next posting; some families will have someone close to them away, some may be dealing with loss or caring for someone who is in poor health, or they may be unwell themselves.

Defence families are made up of ordinary Australians. It is important that we keep an eye on our Defence community, understand its challenges, and take care of it to ensure we are nurturing a valuable and necessary part of our society. Whilst we are beginning to understand the impact of defence life on military members, how this effects the family remains an area needing to be explored.

The work being done by researchers connected at AFOM, to understand defence families, to ensure family health and wellbeing is maintained, and suitable programs are in place to provide supportive tools to them, is very valuable in ensuring the health of our current and future generations. It is my wish that the AFOM foundation receives the support it needs to continue its work in this area.

May you find peace and comfort in those around you this Christmas, surrounded by those who treat you well, and may the magic of the season guide you through whatever challenge lies ahead.

Best wishes to you and your families for 2014.

Julie Blackburn

DFA National Convenor

‘Be the change you want to see in the world’  -Gandhi

As we approach Christmas 2013 we can look back on a year of hard work and progress with satisfaction, and in the knowledge that there is much yet to do. My wife Jane and I have been travelling almost non-stop this year, through every state and territory, talking to veterans and their families, fund-raising, lobbying for support, and trying to better inform decision-makers and the media and on the vital issue of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I am proud to say that I think we have helped a number of people by speaking out. Knowledge and understanding can do so much to dispel doubt or anxiety, and I have been uplifted by the positive feedback on our efforts from so many veterans and their loved ones. Of course, there are many others working just as hard and I warmly congratulate the whole AFOM team for their continued dedication and efforts. I trust that you will all enjoy the Christmas season with family and friends, and return refreshed and ready for even greater advances in 2014. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

John Cantwell

AFOM Patron

A Christmas message from AFOM Ambassador Frank Benfield.

Gail MacDonell, OAM, has established an organisation to facilitate research and education into the community of military families. Properly known as “The Australian Families of the Military Research Foundation” or AFOM, it has grown out of Gail’s dedicated work over a period of more than 15 years. AFOM is a gem; so special it deserves to attract broad community support, not least because its first aim is to enable research and education into the field of military families. This aim has special relevance this Christmas as Australia’s commitment to the Global War on Terror is reduced and thousands of veterans strive to adjust to life during peacetime at home with their families and in the ADF.

A Christmas Greeting from (Little) Pattie Amphlett, AFOM Ambassador. I am proud to be an Ambassador for AFOM.

May I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a safe, healthy, happy New Year.  Sadly, for some Veterans and their families, Christmas and New Year  isn't all it should be.   Let's not forget them.  Enjoy all the Christmas trimmings, but most of all, enjoy the company  of your precious families!  Thinking of you,  Warm wishes and love,  (Little) Pattie Amphlett.