On this week’s Military Life Podcast Episode, Dr Peggy Brown, one of the three commissioners tasked with leading the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, speaks about the release of the lived-experience book Shining a Light: Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing.

The trauma-informed book, authored by journalist Patrick Lindsay AM, showcases the lived experience of suicide and suicidal behaviour of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families.

These experiences, which have been at the heart of the Royal Commission during its inquiries, were bravely and generously shared through submissions and evidence.

Commissioner Brown and I also speak about;

- What motivates and fuels her to get up every day and work toward making a difference as one of the Commissioner’s heading the 58th inquiry examining veteran suicide.

-What she thinks needs to happen to ensure the outcomes of this Royal Commission are different and that some significant change occurs.

-What the Commissioners learnt about defence and veteran families.

-Her concern around Defence Families Australia being in caretaker mode for 12 months and working at 65% capacity at such a critical time.

-Why it was important to encourage those with varied experiences and not just those who have been impacted by suicide to step forward and be heard.

-Her frustration at the amount of work she believes Defence still needs to do to support families.

-Thoughts around transition and what is needed to make it a better experience for veterans and their families with better outcomes.

-What has happened following the release of the Royal Commission’s Interim Report, which made 13 urgent recommendations?

-The proposed new entity to follow the Royal Commission and what the commissioners envision that new entity being responsible for.

-How the everyday current serving ADF member and those in leadership positions connect with the findings of the Royal Commission and understand how they can be part of the change.

- What happens when the final report is handed down in September 2024, and who determines whether the responses and the changes are good enough or what the veteran community needs?

*The establishment of the Royal Commission was the product of tireless advocacy by a determined group of individuals with lived and living experience of suicide and suicidality in a military context.

Over the past three years, the Royal Commission has received 5,889 submissions, published 1,011 submissions, received 6,662 phone enquiries, held 886 private sessions, heard 346 witnesses at hearings, and had over 164,000 Livestream views.

Together with Commissioners Brown, Kaldis, and Douglas’s final report, due to be handed down in September, it is hoped the ‘Shining a Light’ book will help drive real and lasting change and lead to a greater understanding of the sacrifices made by those who defend our country, our ADF members and their loved ones-Us.

If you would like to read the ‘Shining a Light’ book, follow the link below to access it for free. A variety of publicly available information regarding the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide can also be accessed via the website.

https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/shining-light

https://defenceveteransuicide.royalcommission.gov.au/

*TRIGGER WARNING- There is some discussion of suicide in this episode. If this episode brings anything up for you, please contact FREE ADF mental health service Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or, in case of emergency, call 000.

On this week’s Military Life Podcast episode, I speak with Acting CEO of Defence Bank Marnie Fletcher about her leadership style and how she aligns her values and purpose while working in the financial services sector.

Marnie and I also speak about;

-How her parent's past financial difficulties motivate her to help people create a better life through good financial decisions.

-Joining Defence Bank in 2021 and leading Defence Bank through a period of growth and innovation.

 -Learning about the needs of Defence families through engagement with members around the country.

-Working in the financial services sector for over 25 years and how it has shaped her leadership style.

-How Defence Bank being member owned enables better decision-making in the interests of members.

-How Marnie empowers herself and the women around her to lead others, especially in a male-dominated field.

-The best leadership advice Marnie received in her career and life.

Click on the link below to learn more about Defence Bank and the available products and services.

https://www.defencebank.com.au/

This week's Military Life podcast episode is about the FREE mental Health service available to Defence Partners, current ADF Members, Veterans, and their immediate Families—OPEN ARMS and the recently introduced Model of Care. 

This week I caught up with Leonie Nowland, First Assistant Secretary of Open Arms, and Dr Jon Lane, Senior Psychiatrist Advisor with Open Arms and member of the Open Arms National Advisory Committee.

In this episode, we speak about;

        -Who can access support and services through Open Arms, and when

     -What they know about current serving families and their mental health support needs.

     -Understanding the Open Arms services the 43,000 clients access with 38% being current serving members and families.

     -The introduction of the first Open Arms Model of Care. Why now, how it was developed, and what does it mean for Open Arms clients?

      -The importance of setting the record straight when it comes to misinformation surrounding the new Model of Care.

      -The confusion around whether Open Arms clients will or won’t have a 3-6 month/10 session limit of support and…. is there a 3 month waiting period before accessing further services?

      -The Open Arms National Advisory Committee's purpose and representation of current serving families.

      -We discuss whether the experiences of Veterans vs Family Members are different and should be acknowledged.

     -Why Open Arms clinicians, peer support workers, and contractors are military-aware and what that means when it comes to partners and families.

      -Do you have to start fresh with a new Open Arms clinician when you post to a new location, or can you continue with your previous provider?

      -Current wait times defence partners, members, veterans, and immediate family are experiencing when it comes to accessing services.

      -The trauma defence partners and families experience living defence life and why it is important to acknowledge the various stressors encountered on a daily basis.

      -Understanding how and when Defence Kids and Teens can access mental health support via Open Arms and the current limitations.

      -Why Open Arms can’t provide services for Australian Defence Partners and Families who post to an overseas location.

     -Where to access and read the Model of Care https://www.openarms.gov.au/about/our-model-care

Open Arms is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week FREE service. For further information or to access mental health support, you can call 1800 011 046 or visit the website www.openarms.gov.au

Please note: Anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, their partner, and immediate family members can access support via Open Arms. Even if you are new to military life and haven't completed your paperwork (to be recognised as a couple), you can still reach out for support, and Open Arms will talk you through whatever you are struggling with and also, if needed, refer you to other services.

Ready to join the ML community? Click through the link below to get connected xx

www.militarylife.com.au

Re-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 [email protected]!

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/

Re-released Episode- Military Life Community Connectors EXPLAINED PART 1

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 [email protected]!

Have a listen to Episode 168 (PART 1) and 169 (PART 2) 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/

This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with spouses Emma and Elise about their participation in Cowork Coplay, an amazing program that aims to give Defence Partners the time and space to focus on their career goals and projects, be they related to study, business, or job-hunting.

Emma and Elise went into the Cowork Coplay program, which ran in Adelaide in early 2023, with different expectations, and both walked out of the program with positive outcomes.

Emma and I spoke about;

-Why taking part in the Cowork Coplay program gave her the permission and courage to show up for herself and her goals

-The supportive and understanding environment the Cowork Coplay program creates for participants

-How the Cowork Coplay program helped her feel energised and realise she had so much to offer an employer 

-Understanding the value of her skills and deciding to take her career in a new direction

-The confidence fellow participants gave her to be open to new opportunities, apply for jobs, and secure employment by the end of the program

-Connecting with support, services and the Defence community and the positive impact it had on her wellbeing

Elise and I spoke about;

-The impact her remote job was having on her well-being and setting boundaries

-How the career development sessions helped her get clarity around whether to stay in her current role or look for new opportunities

-The incredible support and understanding that was offered by fellow Cowork Coplay participants

-Being seen as more than JUST a Defence partner, setting intentions, goals and figuring out next steps to take action

-The importance of having dedicated time to focus on herself and what she needed to get career focus

-How the Cowork Coplay program helped her fall in love with her job again and see all of the positives it had to offer

As we heard from Emma and Elise’s stories, it is so important Defence Partners are supported with innovative programs like Cowork Coplay to not only support their wellbeing but also provide the time and space for professional development by combining the things that matter: meaningful work, community and family.

Cowork Coplay programs are delivered by Human Quotient Group, a veteran- and female-led Australian social enterprise. The program was created by Claire Harris, a Defence spouse, informed by feedback from the Defence community, her lived experience and professional expertise.

The good news is that the Cowork Coplay program will once again get underway in Adelaide, South Australia, thanks to the support of Veterans SA and for the first time, the Cowork Coplay program will be available in Perth, Western Australia, with the support of Navy.

To find out more information or register your interest in participating, visit the Cowork Coplay website www.coworkcoplay.com.au

This week on the podcast, my Husband Scott and I talk about our current and past experiences with living apart and being MWDU (Member with Dependants Unaccompanied) or URF (Unaccompanied Resident Family) as it is called now.

In PART ONE, Scott and I also talk about;

•                   How our 5th MWDU experience went and the big decisions we needed to make

•                   Why communication and checking in with each other is so important

•                   How different life stages impact how you experience MWDU & living apart

•                   Finding out our next posting location and the big changes that are ahead

•                   Navigating a defence move after being in one location for 13 years

•                   Supporting our children through their first defence move

•                   Leaving our dream home so that we can finally all be together again

•                   Balancing the many emotions of leaving one location and starting fresh in the next

Click through to Episode 166 of the podcast to listen to PART TWO.

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

This week on the podcast, my Husband Scott and I talk about our current and past experiences with living apart and being MWDU (Member with Dependants Unaccompanied) or URF (Unaccompanied Resident Family) as it is called now.

In PART TWO (click through and listen to PART ONE Ep165 first), Scott and I also talk about;

•                     Why we decided to wait to tell our children we were moving

•                     How we approached such a huge conversation with our children

•                     Shifting from owning our own home to living in a DHA property

•                     Making space to fully experience our new posting location

•                     Focusing on the importance of making a home wherever we all are

•                     Figuring out how to live and parent together again

•                     The things we are most looking forward to when we are back together

•                     The heartbreak that comes with saying goodbye to best friends, our chosen family

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

On this week’s Military Life *Parents Edition* podcast episode, I speak with Spouse and Defence School Mentor Bianca about her new business, ‘Someone I Love is in Defence’.

Bianca and I also spoke about;

•         Her journey from being an ADF member herself, transitioning out & finding her feet as a Defence Partner

•         Navigating Defence life, starting a family and deciding to take up a role as a Defence School Mentor

•         How being a DSM opened her eyes to the need for more and  varied resources for Defence Kids

•         Deciding to turn her ideas into activity sheets, colouring, activity and storybooks with specific themes for Australian Defence Kids

•         Why the support of her Navy husband and FREE entrepreneur courses through the Prince’s Trust and Frontline Labs were key to establishing and launching her business

•         The importance of the resources serving a dual purpose- to be entertaining and also facilitate meaningful interactions

•         How her activity sheets and books encourage conversations and Defence Kids to ask questions, express emotions, and strengthen their bond with their ADF member

•         Focusing on a variety of Defence Life topics like moving, deployment, living apart from your ADF member (URF) and the transition out of Defence

•         The importance of co-designing her resources and books with Defence Kids and parents

•         How to access free resources via her website and when the activity books and Army, Navy, RAAF books will be available for purchase

Follow Bianca on her ‘Someone I Love is in Defence’ socials via the below links or sign up for her newsletter on her website https://www.someoneiloveisindefence.com.au/ to be the first to know when her colouring, activity and storybooks will be ready to purchase.

Follow along on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/someoneiloveisindefence

Follow along on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/someoneiloveisindefence

On this week’s Military Life Podcast Episode, enjoy listening to some real talk from a handful of Defence Partners who have previously detailed their spouse journey with us on past episodes.

Episode 163 is all about accessing Defence-related Support and making Spouse Friends.

As you will hear from listening to the stories of Defence Partners Hana, Emma, Jeni, Catherine, Chaia, Cheree, and Chantelle, our journeys are unique yet have many common threads that connect us.

So, get comfy and enjoy listening to this compilation episode that sheds light on the question…

What was it like accessing Defence Family-related Support and Making Spouse Friends?

To listen to the full episode, scroll to Ep121 (24/3/22) for Hana’s story, Ep103 (2/9/21) for Emma’s story, Ep155 (27/7/23) for Jeni’s story, Ep111 (26/11/21) for Catherine’s story, Ep136 (15/9/22) for Chaia’s story, Ep91 (6/5/21) for Cheree’s story or Ep107 (710/21) for Chantelle's story.

Did you know that you can access various Defence-related services and support? Check my online Defence Partner INFO Hub for all the contact details Defence Partner INFO Hub - Military Life or download the Defence Member and Family Information Guide (thanks to DMFS) Click HERE to read