Lunchtime craft and deployment groups

Lunchtime craft and deployment groups will commence in Week 2. Please let me know if your family has a Defence parent away (including for short courses etc) and your child would like to attend the Deployment Group.

Date for your Diary

St Thomas More's Remembrance Day Liturgy – Friday 9 November (Term 4 Week 4) at 9am in Holy Faith Hall.

Centenary of Armistice

What  Commemoration the Centenary of Armistice 2018

When  Friday 5 October-Sunday 11 November 2018

Where Australian War Memorial

Info  One hundred years ago on 11 November 1918, four bloody years of brutal conflict came to an end. Almost 62,000 Australians died fighting for our freedom and in service of our nation. To commemorate the centenary of the Armistice that ended the First World War a creative public program will run at the Australian War Memorial. See https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/armistice

What  Armistice and After – an Exhibition

When  Sunday 11 November 2018, 11am-4pm

Where Hall School Museum and Heritage Centre

Info  Official opening by Andrew Leigh MP, Member for Fenner. Records the participation of the Hall district diggers in the triumphs of 1918 and the euphoria that accompanied the end of hostilities. It also records the difficulties of repatriation and adjustment to civilian life.

Defence Community Organisation (DCO) Canberra E-News October/November Highlights

Assistance for Defence Families to find Childcare

An individual case management service for childcare placement is available 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 Mission Australia negotiate with all local registered childcare providers, including family day care and before and after school care, to ensure childcare is tailored to individual family circumstances. The service provides parents with options to allow them to decide which childcare service best suits their family. It is available to all Defence families across Australia. The placement assistance service is free. Normal childcare fees will apply for any options selected by families. Call the all‐hours Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 or email defencefamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au or contact Mission Australia on 1800 757 343 and press 1, then 2 following the auto prompts.

Kookaburra Kids

Kookaburra Kids Foundation offer free camps and activities for Defence kids aged 8‐18 that have a parent with mental health issue due to Military service (this can be the serving member or the spouse). Referrals can be made on the link below and once the child has been referred they will start receiving invites to upcoming events. The next primary aged camp will be held at the end of October; they are taking registrations now. https://kookaburrakids.org.au/what-we-do/our-programs/defence-kids-activities/

What  Soldier On’s Canberra Pathways Networking Event

When  Thursday 25 October 2018, 11.30am-1.30pm

Where KPMG, 20 Brindabella Circuit, Majura

Info  Opportunity for serving and ex-serving Defence Force members to meet with representatives from a variety of industries that are looking to employ those who have served in the Australian Defence Force or a national security agency. For further information and to register your interest please email employment@soldieron.org.au .

What  Soldier On – Canberra Rowing Challenge

Where  Canberra Rowing Club, Yarralumla Bay

RSVP activities@soldieron.com.au

Info  Call out to all keen rowers (novice and experienced) in the Canberra area for this year’s Corporate Rowing Challenge. Participants will learn to row in eight‐oared boats. Experienced coaches & coxswains are provided along with all necessary equipment. What's Involved?

Intro and Safety Briefing ‐ Sunday, 21 October

Training ‐ 3 mornings per week for 4 weeks commencing 22 October

Regatta ‐ Sunday 18 November

DCO Canberra E-news is promulgated bimonthly via email. It includes handy information such as upcoming events, contact details for social groups and links to DCO resources. If you wish to be on the E-News mail out list, send a request to dco.canberra@defence.gov.au . Alternatively, ‘like’ the DCO Facebook Page to receive information and updates.

Feel welcome to visit or contact me on 6249 8869 or send an email to sonja.mingay@cg.catholic.edu.au .

Sonja Mingay DSTA
Work hours: Mon-Wed 9am-3pm, Thu 9-11am