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 simpler

-The extra complexities Defence couples face when separating and divorcing

-Where couples should start when they have decided to separate

-What happens when couples want to move from separation to divorce

-How to access the Paper Advocate and other resources

Check out the Paper Advocate-Simple DIY Divorce Separation Agreements at the link below;

https://paperadvocate.com.au/

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 discrimination in the workplace

-Some of the ways DEFGLIS have helped change Defence policy & practices

-Why it is so important DEFGLIS continue to advocate for policy change & education

-The annual events DEFGLIS run to help connect the LGBTI defence community

-The impact of not feeling as though you can come to work as your whole self creates

-Why feeling misunderstood or unsupported at work leads to a 30% reduction in output, and how that impacts capability

-How the LGBTI Defence community can reach out for help and support

If you would like to find out more INFO about DEFGLIS or pass on the links to someone who might be interested, there are a few ways to do so;

Website- https://www.defglis.com.au/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/DEFGLIS

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/defglis/

Ready to join the ML community? Click through the link to get connected xx www.militarylife.com.au

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 2026.

-What the RSM-A can do in her position to positively impact the experiences of families.

-The importance of the consistent improvement of support and services for families.

-Simple changes with big impact and how families can contribute to solutions.

-We discuss whether there is room for an Army MakerSpace Initiative adapted for families.

-The introduction of the new Army Personnel Support Unit (APSU).

-Exciting changes ahead for the 2026 Chief of Army Symposium (family-related hint hint).

-An update on changes to the Partner Employment Assistance Program and why the Chief of Army is determined to ensure the whole community has equal access.

Check out the Army Families Handbook and the Army Families Newsletter via the link below

https://www.army.gov.au/community/members-veterans/family-support

Ready to join the Military Life Community? Click through the link to get connected xx

www.militarylife.com.au

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 about;

-First steps once you decide to save for a house

-Personal debts and how they can impact your borrowing power

-Which Home Buyer Grants and ADF schemes, and entitlements you may be eligible for

-DHOAS (Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme) explained

-HPAS (Home Purchase Assistance Scheme) explained

-HPSEA (Home Purchase or Sale Expenses Allowance) explained

-The newly expanded Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme explained

-The First Home Owner Grant and Super Saver Scheme explained

-What is stamp duty, and the available concessions

-How to factor in Interest rates and understand what you can borrow

-Getting preapproval and why organising Power of Attorney is useful for Defence families

For even more information and to check your eligibility for any of the grants, schemes and entitlements discussed in this podcast episode, click through the links below or get in contact with Defence Bank to talk about all of the above in more detail on 1800 033 139 or visit the website www.defencebank.com.au

DHOAS- https://www.dhoas.gov.au/

HPAS- https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/buying-or-selling-home

HPSEA- https://pay-conditions.defence.gov.au/selling-or-buying-home-using-home-purchase-or-sale-expenses-allowance-hpsea

5% Deposit Scheme- https://www.housingaustralia.gov.au/

First Home Owner Grant- https://www.firsthome.gov.au/

First Home Super Saver Scheme- https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/withdrawing-and-using-your-super/early-access-to-super/first-home-super-saver-scheme

Home Loan Borrowing Power Calculator- https://www.defencebank.com.au/tools-and-advice/calculators/home-loan-borrowing-power-calculator/

Home Loan Repayments Calculator- https://www.defencebank.com.au/tools-and-advice/calculators/home-loan-repayments-calculator/

Stamp Duty Calculator- https://www.defencebank.com.au/tools-and-advice/calculators/stamp-duty-calculator/

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.

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.

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 Program (FSFP) & the support of Defence Community Centres

-Available support when there is a breakdown of a Defence marriage/relationship

-Crisis support when an ADF family member experiences family domestic violence (FDV)

-Why DMFS is focusing on analysing existing defence family data and accepting the challenges faced by families are ongoing and need evolving solutions

If you haven't listened already, check out Part One of my chat with Libby, released last week.

The links below provide more information about DMFS and the available help and support.

Defence Member Family Support website

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families

24 Hour DMFS Helpline

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/crisis-support/helplines

Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP)

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-families/partner-employment-assistance-program

ADF Families Survey

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/family-programs-services/support-for-families/adf-families-survey

Family Domestic Violence Support

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/crisis-support/family-domestic-violence-support

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 Information Guide

-Helping Defence Families to build support networks through DMFS Connection events

-Real examples of how DMFS have recently helped Defence families in need of support

Stay tuned next week for Part Two of my chat with Libby. In the meantime, check out the links below to find out more about DMFS and the available help and support.

Defence Member Family Support website

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families

24 Hour DMFS Helpline

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/crisis-support/helplines

Defence Member and Family Information Guide

https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/news-resources/defence-member-family-information-guide

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 how they hold us down

-When excess and clutter prevent us from living the way we want to live

-Setting aside time to declutter and organise and starting small in order to avoid overwhelm

-Taking time to find or create homes for our belongings when we post into a new location

-How that can allow us, mentally, to feel more settled

-How deciding to let go of stuff is just the first step in the process and how having a plan and committing to the whole process is key.

PLEASE NOTE: This podcast episode was recorded a couple of years ago, and while the content is still so relevant, it should be noted that Tara does not currently operate the Life Coach/Decluttering business she mentions in this podcast episode and is no longer recording new episodes of her BeUncluttered Podcast. To listen to past episodes, check it out here Be Uncluttered Podcast | Facebook

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 comes to decluttering

-How Defence Life can lead us to be less critical about our belongings

-How saying yes to having LESS physical possessions or mental clutter allows us to make space for what is really important

-All things decluttering and letting go

Next week, in PART TWO of this podcast episode, Tara and I talk about just-in-case items and how they hold us down, when excess and clutter prevent us from living the way we want, setting aside time to declutter and organise, and so much more.

PLEASE NOTE: This podcast episode was recorded a couple of years ago, and while the content is still so relevant, it should be noted that Tara does not currently operate the Life Coach/Decluttering business she mentions in this podcast episode and is no longer recording new episodes of her BeUncluttered Podcast. To listen to past episodes, check it out here