Defence Mentor News

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

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

Mitchell, Parker and Rihanna

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

Term 3: Defence Club Activities 

Defence Hot Chocolate Thursdays: A Sweet Success

Our Defence Hot Chocolate Thursdays have been a heart warming hit this term, with over 60 students gathering each week to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. This initiative has become a much-anticipated event, providing a cosy spot for our students to warm up and connect with friends.

A huge thank you goes out to Cena, Tyler, Layla, and Carolyn, who have been an incredible asset to this program. Their dedication and hard work in preparing and serving hot chocolate each week have made this initiative the success it is. Whether it's ensuring that the marshmallows and hot chocolates are made up and handed out or simply sharing a smile, their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Thank you, Cena, Tyler, Layla, and Carolyn, for making our Thursdays a little sweeter!

Kaylee was our winner for the Christmas in July colouring competition. Kaylee's prize was a show case award.

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.

Poppy Project 2024

Veterans' Health Week

Exciting Opportunity for Defence Students: Veterans Health Week T-Shirt Project

I am thrilled to share some fantastic news with you! Seymour College has been fortunate enough to receive a grant in support of Veterans Health Week, and this year’s theme is "Keeping Connected." This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage with an important cause while showcasing their creativity.

As part of this initiative, Gnarly Neighbours has generously agreed to collaborate with us. They will be visiting Seymour College during the second week of October to work with our Defence students on a special project. Forty students will be selected to design and create t-shirts reflecting the "Keep Connected" theme. This project is not only a great way to support Veterans Health Week, but it also offers our students a unique chance to raise awareness to a meaningful cause.

Please note that participation in this project will be on a "first in, best dressed" basis. This essentially means that those who express their interest and commitment the quickest, will secure their spots in this exciting project. So, if your child is eager to participate, I encourage them to act fast!

Please encourage your child to come and see me at defence club this week if wanting a spot.

We are looking forward to seeing the amazing designs our students come up with and the positive impact they will have on the community. 

An ADF Families Event: Blacksmithing

Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) are excited to announce we will be hosting The Cuppacumbalong Foundation again in Puckapunyal. The Cuppacumbalong Foundation run a successful Defence Family Blacksmithing program and will be bringing this unique opportunity to Puckapunyal.

The Cuppacumbalong Foundation will be deploying to Puckapunyal in their very own custom build mobile workshop - The Big Black Truck.

In order to participate, family pairs must consist of a parent and child. Interested about the program, but would like to read more information on The Big Black Truck. View their website here: The Big Black Truck (tharwavalleyforge.com)

Expressions of interest: An ADF Families Event: Defence Family Blacksmithing Program Tickets, Mon, Sep 23, 2024 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite

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

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

New Letter to Schools

General Campbell, Chief of Defence Force has issued a letter addressing the unique challenges ADF families face in relation to schooling and gaining enrolment for their children.

The letter aims to raise awareness among schools and childcare centres of the unique circumstances faced by Defence families. This letter will not circumvent existing school policies but requests that schools provide consideration, within the framework of their existing policies and procedures, supporting ADF families facing significant enrolment challenges. 

Please contact the Defence Member and Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 or your local Defence Member and Family Support Area Office (https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/local-services-events/area-offices) to obtain a copy of the letter and discuss other support we have available

An ADF Families Event: The Great VIC/TAS Recipe Share

ADF members and their families are invited to contribute to The Great DMFS VicTas Recipe Share!!

Make and photograph your meal, snack, or dessert of choice and send your photo, the recipe, any recipe credits, and meaningful stories related to your recipe to dmfs.victas@defence.gov.au.

You may enter as many recipes as you like in as many categories (we reserve the right to pick our favourites if we get overwhelmed with recipes).

DMFS staff will then compile all chosen recipes into a PDF format recipe book which will then be emailed out to all those who registered.

The online version will be promoted through DMFS eNews for others to request a digital copy.

Suggested categories may include:

• 30 Minute Solo Parenting Dinners
• Move-in Night Dinners and 1 Pot Wonders
• Better than a RAT Pack Snack
• Feed the New Neighbours
• Finicky Feeders
• Deployment Desserts

All recipes must be received by Wednesday 25 September 2024 to be eligible.

Registration and more information can be found on Eventbrite.