Defence Mentor News

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

All December Birthdays will receive a lunch voucher at Defence Club on Tuesday and Thursday.

Sophie, Bailey, Dimitri, Ella, Logan, Sally.

Any students who have had a birthday and have not yet received their free lunch card or showcase voucher please see Kelly.

Term 4: Defence Club Activities 

Tuesdays - Arts & crafts, games.

Thursdays - Hot chocolate with marshmallows. If your child has any milk allergies please let me know asap via email and I will supply an alternative.

DMFS Puckapunyal Welcome Event 2025

Together with DMFS Melbourne, we will be holding our welcome event at the Werribee Open Range Zoo. There will be a range of community groups and organisations on the Cheetah Lawn to provide information about the support and assistance available in the Melbourne and Puckapunyal areas. 

When: Sunday, 02 February 2025 at 10:00am – 3:00pmWhere: Werribee Open Range Zoo, K Road, Werribee South VIC 

Tickets are essential: An ADF families event: Welcome Event - Melbourne and Puckapunyal Tickets, Sun, Feb 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

Posting Connect 

PostingConnect is accessible via ServiceConnect.

Defence, via ServiceConnect, is transforming and simplifying transactional services to deliver improved experiences. 

PostingConnect has moved into ServiceConnect utilising myGovID for access outside the Defence Protected Environment (DPE). 

PostingConnect supports ADF members and their nominees with domestic postings that include a removal. Members with a posting order will be sent an email inviting them to create a profile in PostingConnect.

Benefits include: 

• Step-by step guidance through the posting process.
• A single access point where you and your nominee can manage your posting, with direct access to Toll Transitions and Defence Housing Australia (DHA) websites.
• Accessible from any device including phones, tablets and computers.
• Accessible within and outside the DPE.

If you have a domestic posting order with a removal and haven’t received an invitation to use PostingConnect, or commenced tasks associated with your posting, you can contact 1800DEFENCE (1800 333 362) or email yourcustomer.service@defence.gov.au.

What’s on in Mitchell Shire

Community Bank Coming Together Christmas

When: Saturday 14 December at 5:00pm – 9 :30pmWhere: Hudson Park – Skehan Place, Kilmore

Join us early at Hudson Park to grab the best spot, soak in the festive atmosphere and kick off the holiday season right!

Info: Community Bank Coming Together Christmas Carols | Mitchell Shire Council

Christmas Party Race Day

When: Thursday 19 December at 11:00am – 4:00pm

Enjoy a relaxed day on the lawn with live music, thrilling racing action, and a special visit from Santa to delight kids and adults alike. It's the perfect occasion to gather with family, friends, or work colleagues and soak up the holiday cheer in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere.

Info: Christmas Party Race Day | Mitchell Shire Council

Support for Families Who Have Left the ADF.

Even after leaving the Australian Defence Force (ADF), your Defence School Mentor (DSM) and the school continue to offer support for your family. We understand that transitioning out of military life can bring its own set of challenges, and we remain committed to helping your children through these changes.

Our services include emotional, social, and academic support, ensuring that your family remains connected and supported during this new phase. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need guidance or assistance—we are here for you, every step of the way.

Update Us on Your Current Circumstances!

To ensure we provide the best possible support for you and your children, we kindly ask that you update the school or myself on your current circumstances. Whether you're married living unaccompanied, your partner has been deployed, or they are currently outfield, it's important for us to stay informed.

By keeping us updated, we can offer tailored support and resources for your family during times of change. Please reach out if you need assistance or have any concerns. We're here to help!

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling

The Open Arms Community and Peer Advisor will be on base to provide information about available support services through Open Arms.

Drop into the PDNC at Puckapunyal to learn more about how Open Arms can assist you and your family.

To learn more about Open Arms, free, confidential 24-hour counselling service, including your eligibility, call 1800011046.

For more information about Open Arms or their programs, visit: Open Arms

POSTING ORDERS!!!!

As posting orders are being released, we kindly request that you inform us if your family will be posting out. This can be done either by emailing me directly or contacting the school.

Your timely update will allow us to support the social and emotional needs of your children and ensure a smoother transition for both your family and your child as they move to another school.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

Defence Member and Family Helpline          1800 624 608

For advice, support or local community information, contact our all-hours Defence Member and Family Helpline. Run by Defence Member and Family Support, the helpline is the best way to access the programs and services that we offer to help Defence families manage the military way of life. 

The helpline is available 24/7 and is staffed by qualified Human Services professionals, including social workers and psychologists.

Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust – Scholarships

AVCAT continues to support veteran families through tertiary scholarships for children and grandchildren of Australian ex-serving veterans. We take pride in our long history and strive to honour the legacy of those who have served and the families that support them. We embrace the camaraderie and unique bond shared by veteran families across Australia and take pride in our scholars and alumni.

For more information visit: Australian Veterans & Children Assistance Trust

Defence Special Needs Support Group

Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc. is a non-profit benevolent volunteer organisations established to assist Navy, Army and Air Force families with a family member with special needs.

Information about DSNSG and the support offered can be found at www.dsnsg.org.au