Military Life

This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with Veteran Partner and Founder of Cowork Coplay Claire Harris about the importance of supporting the career goals of Defence Partners through innovative programs.

Claire and I also talk about;

-The concept behind Cowork Coplay and how lived experience guided how Claire created the initiative and built the social enterprise

-Why Cowork Coplay was developed for defence partners with young children

-The many (and complex) career and well-being challenges defence partners are navigating

-How Cowork Coplay connects defence partners to career, community and childcare

-The importance of collaboration; how existing support organisations and groups can benefit from partnering with others in the wider defence/veteran community

-The evolution of Cowork Coplay (from before COVID hit) to now and why being able to offer the program around the country via a done-with-you service model was the next step

-Why Claire has teamed up with Veterans SA to offer Cowork Coplay in South Australia in 2023

-The benefits of working with heart-centred organisations, like Veterans SA, who understand the needs of the defence community

-Potential benefits for defence partners, for example, to have focused, self-directed time and space to pursue goals, build confidence and build connections with others

-Claire's big vision: all Defence families can pursue the kind of work they want (contributing their talents to local communities) and build the connections they need to live a fulfilled life.

-Future plans to run the Cowork Coplay program in more locations as one small piece of the puzzle of modern, meaningful programs and initiatives for defence partners.

In the second part of episode 144 of the Podcast, Chantelle Bohan, Director of Veterans SA, speaks about why supporting Defence Partners with innovative solutions like Cowork Coplay is a WIN WIN.

Chantelle and I also talk about;

-Who Veterans SA is, why their focus has shifted to include defence spouses and families more, and the steps they are taking to support defence partners and families

-The importance of listening to, engaging and consulting with people in both the defence and veteran community and drawing from their lived experience

-How recent community forums, surveys and an increased effort to hear community feedback lead to Veterans SA collaborating with Cowork Coplay

-Why understanding defence spouses and the challenges they face when it comes to career, community and childcare is important

-The decision to pilot the Cowork Coplay program in Adelaide in 2023 and why the program is a great fit for Veterans SA

-Why Veterans SA is committed to undertaking community consultation to find out how they can help and support the community

-The key themes that emerged from the recent Veteran and Defence Families Forum hosted by Veterans SA

-How those key themes and feedback will help determine the strategic aims and outcomes for Veterans SA in the coming years

-The importance of defence partners and families having opportunities to have input and give feedback on the available supports and programs on offer

-Why the individual goals of the people participating in the Cowork Coplay program are more important to Veterans SA than traditional KPIs

-Why Veterans SA hope to advocate for other states and territories to also consider supporting innovative programs like Cowork Coplay

You can find out more information about the Cowork Coplay pilot program that is set to get underway in February 2023 in South Australia via www.coworkcoplay.com.au/program

To find out more information about Veterans SA check out their website via www.veteranssa.sa.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.

Have a listen to Ep142 and PART 1 of this Military Life Podcast episode before listening to this ep.

This week on the Military Life Podcast- Let's Discuss WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

In Episode 143 (PART 2) Myself, Defence Partners Marcelle and Julia, Veteran Partner Jo-anna, Veteran Widow and also the parent of a past serving member Madonna and Defence Partner and Psychologist Brooke, discuss why YOUR VOICE MATTERS and NEEDS TO BE HEARD.

We also discuss;

-Where, we as Defence and Veteran Partners and Families, fit when it comes to being included in conversations and decisions related to, and that impact us

-How our voices are currently heard and considered via which avenues and opportunities

-The comparison between how American Military and Veteran Partners and Families are included and considered vs Defence and Veteran Partners in Australia

-The freedom and clarity that comes with being able to have more of a voice once your ADF member has transitioned out of Defence and the reflection that comes with transition

-How to work through feeling disconnected from the "cause" (the ADF) and living defence life

-Why Defence and Veteran Partners need to be given the tools and confidence to self-advocate more frequently and via various avenues

-We discuss how we, as Defence and Veteran Partners and Families, are being properly represented if a broad range of us aren't being engaged and very few of us are being heard

-Dealing with feeling let down and unsupported and how to channel those feelings to impact change

-The disconnect between research and our qualified needs versus the actual available support and services

-Do Defence and Veteran Partners and Families have survey and research fatigue and why clear, real and swift action needs to come from survey and research findings

-The trauma Defence and Veteran Partners and Families can experience as a consequence of the challenges experienced throughout defence and veteran life and its impact

-Why frequent and inclusive Defence and Veteran Partner and Family engagement needs to start at base level and filter UP

-Will there always be hesitation from Defence and Veteran Partners and Families to have a voice for fear of the repercussions when it comes to the ADF members career?

-We discuss whether it is time for a completely independent organisation that is separate from Defence, Government and Command to be created and also provide a voice

-What is the Defence and Veteran Partner and Family identity, and what are our needs?

-How can there be a true and complete understanding of that identity when there is a lack of meaningful engagement?

-Dealing with feeling unheard and as if we are being "swept along" by Defence and what that does to our core sense of safety

-We discuss the wide-ranging positive impact an engaged community can experience when they feel seen and heard and part of the conversation

-Why the existing avenues of support and services all need to have feedback avenues that are connected to positive improvement teams to ensure necessary changes are made

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

This week on the Military Life Podcast- Let's Discuss WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

In Episode 142 (PART 1) Myself, Defence Partners Marcelle and Julia, Veteran Partner Jo-anna, Veteran Widow and also the parent of a past serving member Madonna and Defence Partner and Psychologist Brooke, discuss why YOUR VOICE MATTERS and NEEDS TO BE HEARD.

We also discuss;

-Where, we as Defence and Veteran Partners and Families, fit when it comes to being included in conversations and decisions related to, and that impact us

-How our voices are currently heard and considered via which avenues and opportunities

-The comparison between how American Military and Veteran Partners and Families are included and considered vs Defence and Veteran Partners in Australia

-The freedom and clarity that comes with being able to have more of a voice once your ADF member has transitioned out of Defence and the reflection that comes with transition

-How to work through feeling disconnected from the "cause" (the ADF) and living defence life

-Why Defence and Veteran Partners need to be given the tools and confidence to self-advocate more frequently and via various avenues

-We discuss how we, as Defence and Veteran Partners and Families, are being properly represented if a broad range of us aren't being engaged and very few of us are being heard

-Dealing with feeling let down and unsupported and how to channel those feelings to impact change

-The disconnect between research and our qualified needs versus the actual available support and services

-Do Defence and Veteran Partners and Families have survey and research fatigue and why clear, real and swift action needs to come from survey and research findings

-The trauma Defence and Veteran Partners and Families can experience as a consequence of the challenges experienced throughout defence and veteran life and its impact

-Why frequent and inclusive Defence and Veteran Partner and Family engagement needs to start at base level and filter UP

-Will there always be hesitation from Defence and Veteran Partners and Families to have a voice for fear of the repercussions when it comes to the ADF members career?

-We discuss whether it is time for a completely independent organisation that is separate from Defence, Government and Command to be created and also provide a voice

-What is the Defence and Veteran Partner and Family identity, and what are our needs?

-How can there be a true and complete understanding of that identity when there is a lack of meaningful engagement?

-Dealing with feeling unheard and as if we are being "swept along" by Defence and what that does to our core sense of safety

-We discuss the wide-ranging positive impact an engaged community can experience when they feel seen and heard and part of the conversation

-Why the existing avenues of support and services all need to have feedback avenues that are connected to positive improvement teams to ensure necessary changes are made

Be sure to continue listening to this discussion via Ep143 PART 2.

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

Trigger Warning: The topic of Gaslighting is discussed in this episode. Gaslighting is a very sensitive topic to discuss for many and for some it can trigger intense emotions and thoughts. If you or anyone you know need mental health support, call FREE Veterans and Families counselling service Open Arms on 1800 011 046, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 131 114, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or in an emergency 000.

*What is Gaslighting? Behaviours that can be used to undermine someone's sense of self, sense of reality, and sense of confidence in their own perceptions of a situation and of a relationship, can cause a person to question their judgment, memory, self-worth, and overall mental health.

I've been trying to record this episode for a while now but to be honest, I've just felt so let down for myself and this community that I just couldn't find the right words, which, for me, isn't usual.⁠ ⁠ So here goes….⁠ ⁠ Six months ago, I asked questions following an announcement of the "Enhancement and Expansion" of the Defence School Mentor Program and this is what happened.⁠ ⁠ I was told I was focusing too much on the details.⁠ ⁠ I was told there were bigger issues.⁠ ⁠ I was told that maybe I should seek mental health support if I had been triggered.⁠ ⁠ I was GASLIT.⁠ ⁠ On this episode of the Military Life Podcast;

• The story of what happened when I asked questions.

• The deeper problems that, I feel, exist within the defence and veteran community when it comes to accessing information, openly voicing concerns or giving feedback.⁠

• What I learnt. ⁠

For all the details about the DSM program or to read the full blog pop over to the ML website here https://militarylife.com.au/blog/

Protecting our Data & Identity- What we can all do TODAY!

By now, most of us would have heard about the Optus data breach, which compromised the sensitive information of up to 10 million customers.

The Optus data breach highlights and reminds us that we live in a world where scammers exist and where there is a real need for all of us to increase our vigilance.

On this week's Military Life Podcast Episode, Head of Fraud at Defence Bank Mike Smith and Michael O'Reilly, Chief Marketing & Product Officer talk us through;

-What happens when there is a data breach, who notifies us and which information to trust?

-Why we should all be monitoring our credit history and scores and how it can provide an early warning sign of identity theft. You can also check out Defence Banks Intel Blog 'How to use your credit score to uncover identity theft'

-How to check our credit history and scores via platforms like Equifax, RateCity, Credit Savvy or Finder and how regularly we should be doing it. You can also check out Defence Bank's Intel Blog article 'How often should I be checking my credit score?'

-Why someone would want to steal our identity and what our identity can be used for.

-Phishing scams- What are they and the popular ones circulating at the moment like the Netflix Scam, the Toll Road Scam and the Hi Mom Scam. You can also check out Defence Banks Intel Blog 'Five Major Phishing Scams you need to avoid'

-Available information and resources to help you stay ahead of scammers and protect your personal information.

-ScamWatch, the Australian Security Centre, MoneySmart and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and IDCare, a not-for-profit that provides free support to Australians who have been impacted by fraud or scams.

-How we can determine if someone is trying to scam us and the steps we can take if the unfortunate happens and we fall victim to a data breach, scam or identity theft. You can also check out Defence Banks' Intel Blog 'What can you do if you've been scammed?'

-Free and safe Government resources we can access if we have been impacted by fraud or scams and the ways we can prevent further impact through things like requesting a ban on our credit report.

-What can be learnt from the OPTUS data breach for consumers, and going forward, what should be front of mind for all of us?

Your best defence is to stay one step ahead of scammers by reading up on the latest information and scams in circulation. Defence Bank has a series of blog articles about scams, fraud and security. Read more by visiting their website here.

You can find out more information about Credit History/Score platforms Equifax here, or RateCity here, or Credit Savvy here, or Finder here.

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 and 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 I 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 support and information, and by 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 defence partners in their community- the defence community by providing consistent and welcoming monthly 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 and Richmond NSW, with the role expanding to Rockingham WA, Adelaide SA, Canberra ACT, and Sutherland NSW. Community Connection events will take place on October 15th at those locations and every month after that. It will be an amazing night of connection with Defence Partners coming together around the country.

Have a listen to Episode 138 (PART 1) and 139 (PART 2) to find out more, and if you feel like you might like to put your hand up to be a Community Connector in your location, get in contact with Beck via [email protected]

If you would like to find out more about a Community Connection Event happening in your area, click through to your ML Closed State/Territory Facebook group for details.

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/ACT

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongnswact/

WA

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongwa/

QLD

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongqld/

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 and 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 I 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 support and information, and by 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 defence partners in their community- the defence community by providing consistent and welcoming monthly 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 and Richmond NSW, with the role expanding to Rockingham WA, Adelaide SA, Canberra ACT, and Sutherland NSW. Community Connection events will take place on October 15th at those locations and every month after that. It will be an amazing night of connection with Defence Partners coming together around the country.

Have a listen to Episode 138 (PART 1) and 139 (PART 2) to find out more, and if you feel like you might like to put your hand up to be a Community Connector in your location, get in contact with Beck via [email protected]

If you would like to find out more about a Community Connection Event happening in your area, click through to your ML Closed State/Territory Facebook group for details.

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/ACT- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongnswact/

WA- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongwa/

QLD- https://www.facebook.com/groups/mlstrongqld/

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to new Spouse Lara about what it's like to still be in Highschool while navigating Defence Life.

Lara and I also talk about;

• The purpose and direction the ADF has given her boyfriend
• Why a troubled childhood led her partner to consider the Army
• Being under 18 and why their relationship isn't yet recognised
• The shift from living together to long-distance with minimal communication
• The bond her partner has with her parents and the impact of separation
• Having a brother in the Army and the invaluable info & advice he has offered
• Thoughts on moving from her home town of 2000 people
• The opportunities the ADF will provide for Lara & her partner
• Her plans to join the Army Reserves while hopefully studying law
• Managing the judgement and opinions of others when it comes to age
• What it was like when her partner was away at training at Kapooka vs Singleton
• Finding support online and her reservations about connecting in person
• Waiting on news of their first posting location and where they hope to move
• The excitement to be back with her partner & start a life together
• Being open to change and preparing for what their relationship might now be like

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

In this week's podcast episode, I speak with defence partner Chaia about finding support and comfort in spouse friends, accessing Open Arms & Future plans.

Chaia and I also speak about;

• starting off as friends and what it meant once they started dating
• why nothing prepares you for the transition into defence life
• the difference between being posted to a reserve vs full-time battalion
• experiencing her first posting and deciding to live apart (MWDU)
• why leaving her employment, her long service and maternity leave wasn't an option
• finally feeling like she had defence life figured out only for it to change again
• deciding to stay busy while her partner was away which led to burnout
• putting her hand up for mental health support via Open Arms
• expectations and accepting the reality of everyday defence life
• figuring out when they will finally live together and future plans
• family planning, possible postings and how Chaia envisions it all working
• having a partner who is proactive in seeking out the info a spouse needs

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

This week on the podcast, I speak with Chris North Co-Founder of Innoclub a not-for-profit organisation on a mission to help Defence Partner & Veteran Entrepreneurs thrive.

Chris and I also speak about;

• Where the idea for Innoclub came from and why the focus on Spouses and Veterans?
• The importance of supporting Defence Partner and Veteran Entrepreneurs
• When and Who should sign up for the FREE Innoclub courses and workshops
• Using education and resources to help Defence Partner and Veteran Entrepreneurs
• Why you don't need to have a clear business idea or a way forward to take part
• How Innoclub can help you map out your idea or work on expanding your existing biz
• Why Innoclub want Clubs and Government to help them give a hand-up not a hand-out
• The seed funding you can pitch for at the end of the Innoclub Entrepreneur course
• How seed funding can help you progress your idea or expand your existing biz
• Innoclub's mission to create communities and networks for Spouses and Veterans
• The importance of engaging younger spouses and veterans with modern solutions
• Future plans for Innoclub and how to signup to take part in a course or workshop

To find out more information or sign up for one of the FREE in-person or online Innoclub courses and workshops check out the Innoclub website here https://www.innoclub.com.au/

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