Relocation

St Peters Lutheran College Springfield is committed to students reaching their full potential within a caring, Christian community environment. With a focus on pastoral, academic, physical and spiritual qualities, St Peters pays special attention to each child. Dedicated teachers support students to develop their own unique gifts and talents. As a modern co-educational K– 12 school, St Peters Springfield offers a welcoming and vibrant environment dedicated to intellectual enquiry, high academic standards and a love of lifelong learning. With all year levels sharing the same campus, it has a uniqueness which fosters genuine connections and community.

At the heart of the college are two expectations of all students: • to live by their Plus Ultra motto — ever higher, more beyond; and • to treat everyone with Care, Dignity and Respect.

These foundational values, combined with an innovative approach to contemporary learning, create a dynamic culture where students can excel and thrive.

With planned growth, the College has created an inspiring space for students to learn with their first major development since relocating to their permanent site in 2012. The Junior High Precinct is a state-of-the-art facility which creates a ‘home’ at school for Years 7-9, providing a stimulating learning environment and comprehensive care and support vital to young adults.

The precinct features an individualised Learning Hub, projectbased learning spaces and breakout areas, expansive flexible learning area, an advanced 'iSTEAM‘ laboratory, a student display gallery and with its enhanced acoustics, an ideal place for students of the ‘Arts’ to perform.

St Peters Springfield encourage you to experience for yourself our special community atmosphere. The College is currently accepting enrolments. Further information can be found at www.stpeters.qld.edu. au. All enquiries can be made to s.enrolments@stpeters.qld.edu.au or by calling 07 3470 3888.

Junior High Precinct Collaboration Space

Providing a simpler posting experience

PostingConnect is an online platform designed by Defence to streamline the posting process for ADF members and their families.

It is available for eligible ADF members and families to assist them with their domestic postings. It connects to a range of other posting services, including Toll and Defence Housing Australia (DHA), and allows families to manage all their posting requirements from a central location.

After going through several rounds of testing and feedback, the PostingConnect platform has been improved and new features added to better serve members and their families. Following a pilot of the platform with a small group of posting members, it’s now being progressively rolled out to Defence members undertaking postings.

Serving member Alex Vella was involved in the initial pilot and feedback sessions.

“Since I have only been posted a couple of times, it’s all a bit daunting trying to figure out what to do and who to contact,” said Alex.

“PostingConnect is a user-friendly system that will make the posting process more efficient—it’s definitely made it easier for me. It provides a checklist and allows me to tick tasks off and make sure that I’m not missing anything along the way.”

Having seen the platform evolve through its multiple iterations, Alex acknowledged the numerous improvements that had been made.

“The new tasks and information is great, especially for families and partners who may not understand the process or language used within Defence.”

The refinement of the platform and the introduction of new features were also noticed by other participants who provided valuable feedback.

“I can see the changes made based on all the feedback I originally gave, which is great,” said Alex.

It is available for eligible ADF members and families to assist them with their domestic t is available for eligible PostingConnect is being progressively released to posting postings. It connects to a range of other posting members. Eligible members will services, including Toll and Defence Housing Australia receive an email on the Defence (DHA), and allows families to manage all their posting intranet inviting them to use the online

requirements from a

central location. platform for their posting, shortly after After going through several rounds of testing and their posting order is issued. feedback, the PostingConnect platform has been improved ext.defence.gov.au/ postingconnect

All borrowers are equal, but some are more equal than others

Partner employment support

You may recognise this slightly edited version of a famous proclamation by the pigs who control the government in George Orwell’s classic novel Animal Farm.

Adopted by banks and other financial institutions of privately flagging customers, or categories of customers, who may qualify for special privileges or rates.

This can be significant when it comes to interest rates on loans, savings and term deposits. Many people don’t realise that banks are nearly always negotiable on rates, especially for ADF members and their families as they are usually viewed as having financial stability.

The desirability of ADF families is even more so during difficult times when financial service providers will be more cautious, favouring customers who are less likely to default.

ADF families who are thinking about borrowing or refinancing should use this to their advantage. Don’t be afraid to shop around or consider taking your business elsewhere if the deals on offer aren’t competitive. While it’s unlikely to be offered voluntarily, make sure you ask for the best deal.

Similarly, with car loans, leases and any other financial products or transactions, do not underestimate your family’s consumer power, especially in difficult economic times. Do not be afraid to ask a lender or financial service provider to put their deal in writing to demonstrate its worth against other options. And when you’re assessing offers, be aware of fees, penalty interest rates and the facility to pay down loans early without cost.

The key message here is that ADF families are customers and potential prospects with a great deal of market power, so use it to your advantage. Take your time, do your homework and ask questions. You may get a pleasant surprise which will save you thousands of dollars.

Remember though, when it comes to debt, don’t get in too deep. Do a stress test on your family’s personal circumstances with a number of ‘what if’ questions, such as ‘what if interest rates rise?’, ‘what if we lost an income source?’, ‘what if we need to sell?’.

If you have questions about your finances, including any personal financial difficulties you may be experiencing, don’t hesitate to approach us through ‘Contact Us’ on our website. We are more than happy to help on a strictly confidential basis.

ADF FINANCIAL SERVICES CONSUMER CENTRE

adfconsumer.gov.au

The Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) provides funding for initiatives to assist ADF partners with employment when they are relocated on posting, or if their ADF member is medically transitioning. The two support initiatives offered under PEAP are: • professional employment services • professional re-registration – reregistration must be state based and required by legislation

Support under the professional employment services is for a maximum of $1,500 per posting. Support for reregistration costs can be provided in addition to the $1,500.

Partners have the flexibility of opting to receive services from Defence’s professional employment services provider or a provider of their choice.

Using the Defence service provider

PEAP has been expanded to include new employment services for ADF partners from Defence’s service provider. The benefits of using Defence’s service provider are: • you can access services within 48 hours of application approval • you do not need to provide a quote for services • you do not need to request payment of an invoice or seek reimbursement • you will work with a professional, quality assured provider. • Services available through the

Defence provider Job-Search Preparation virtual workshop: Delivered in a variety of formats. Partners can undertake a Job Search Preparation (JSP) workshop at any time throughout a posting. There is no cost to the partner for this service, and it will not impact upon the $1,500 professional employment services support cap.

The JSP workshop will help you manage your career, sell your skills and experience, build or refine your resume and provide an opportunity for you to gain further employment assistance through other initiatives such as Job Connections.

Further information

For more information see the full PEAP Guidelines. www.defence.gov.au/ DCO/Family/Partners/PEAP.asp

For additional information, or assistance completing an application, please call the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608, or email partner. employment@defence.gov.au.

Defence Member and Family Support is the new name for Defence Community Organisation

In 2020, we took the time to reflect on our purpose and vision for the future and we’re excited to announce that we will officially change our name from Defence Community Organisation (DCO) to Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) from 1 July 2021.

DCO was formed in 1996 when the family support organisations from the three Services were brought together. Since then, DCO has grown to have a nation-wide presence with on-the-ground services delivered from local area offices and ADF Transition centres.

It’s important that Defence members and their families see DCO’s services as something accessible to them as part of their community. Recently we’ve received some feedback that families may think DCO is not part of Defence and that our programs and services are not available to them.

To overcome that misconception, last year we undertook staff and stakeholder consultation within Defence and also with Defence Families of Australia, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and a number of ex-service organisations. This consultation helped us develop a new name that people could look at or hear and immediately know what we do and who we do it for.

There will be no changes to the services we currently provide to Defence members and their families. The local area offices around Australia will remain and there will be no changes to the Defence Family Helpline number 1800 624 608.

Leading up to the change, you’ll start to see DMFS increasingly used so by the time 1 July rolls around there won’t be any surprises. Families can expect to see a couple of changes online as we change our factsheets, guides, forms and office email addresses to the new name. You’ll also see name changes to our social media channels, google business listings and on ForceNet.

The date of 1 July 2021 has been chosen to officially change our name because it coincides with DCO’s 25th anniversary. This is a chance to look back on where we’ve come from, where we are and where we are going in the future.

Stay tuned for updates on our social media channels.

Defence Community Organisation hosts events around the country to help connect families to their new community. Photo by Kingsley Klau.

Meet your local DCO team

DCO’s Amberley team is made up of military personnel and civilian staff who provide a range of assistance and information, including support for children to settle into new schools, partner employment and help for families experiencing unforeseen crisis or emergency.

Military support officers are uniformed officers who help with advice and assistance with military matters and support local ADF commanders with member welfare support.

Defence social workers are qualified professionals who are knowledgeable about the ADF and the lifestyle of its members. Defence social workers are able to help members and their families address personal, relationship or Service-related issues. They can provide assessment, shortterm counselling services or referral to support and resources in the local area.

Family liaison officers have extensive knowledge of the local area and help members and their families connect with the services and support they need. They are also proactive regarding welcome activities and assisting families settling into a new location.

Find out more about your local area

Your local DCO office host a range of social activities and information

sessions for ADF families—like monthly coffee catch-ups, dinners out and family fun days; or partner employment, relocation or absence from home advice, and the KidSMART and FamilySMART program. All families are most welcome to attend these events and the local DCO Amberley team looks forward to meeting you all.

To find out more about the Amberley office’s social events and information sessions, follow DCO on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) or ForceNet and keep up-to-date with the latest events on the DCO Amberley page on Eventbrite at DCOAmberleyIpswich.eventbrite.com.au.

Families can also access a wide range of information about support and DCO programs from the DCO website. The website also features a calendar of events hosted by the local DCO office and local community groups, from coffee mornings and partner employment information sessions, to ADF Transition seminars for families thinking about their future beyond the ADF.

Childcare

DCO provides an individual case management (ICM) service for childcare placement to support ADF families when they move to a new area or change their work or care arrangements, such as when a serving member returns from maternity leave.

Specialist early learning staff from Defence childcare service provider, One Tree Community Services, provide support to families who need help to find appropriate childcare. The ICM service provides parents with options that will allow them to decide which childcare service best suits their family. It is available to all ADF families across Australia.

The placement assistance service is free. Normal childcare fees will apply for any options selected by families.

To discuss your family’s needs, call the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 or email defencefamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au.

Hunter families took a ‘Rock pool ramble’ with an eco tour guide and uncovered the hidden sea life at Boat Harbour, Port Stephens. Photo by Karly Smith.

Contact us

The DCO Amberley office is at Building 726, Hudson Road, RAAF Base Amberley, next to AAFCANS. You can call or email the Amberley team on 5361 1678 or email them at dco.amberley@defence.gov.au. Alternatively, you can call the all-hours Defence Family Helpline 1800 624 608 or email defencefamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au for an appointment. Follow Defence Community Organisation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and information from your local Amberley team. You can also email dco.amberley@defence.gov.au to be added to the DCO Amberley monthly bulletin email distribution list.

defence.gov.au/dco

DefenceCommunityOrganisation

@DCO_AusDefence

@DCO_AusDefence