Defence Family Matters
To find out about events for ADF families in Canberra, visit our Eventbrite page. You'll be able to RSVP, add events to your calendar and share with friends.
Send an email to DCO Canberra to join our mailing list. You'll get the latest information and updates from DCO Canberra, your local Defence community and the Canberra region.
With the internet and social media flooded with a range of COVID-19 information and advice, it’s important to make sure the information you’re seeking comes from an official source. To help you, we’ve put together a list of official websites where families can get up-to-date information about a range of COVID issues like travel restrictions and border closures, non-essential travel and fines, testing locations, school arrangements, jobs and business information.
If you are looking for national information and contacts about COVID-19, see the Coronavirus tab on our Emergency and Crisis webpage.
We have also developed a Coronavirus Advice webpage which has a range of information and resources about wellbeing, tips to manage in isolation, how to support kids, maintaining healthy relationships and information about reunion leave arrangements.
For more mental health and wellbeing information and resources see our Health and Wellbeing webpage.
Information about Defence’s involvement in the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including live blog updates can be found at the Defence response to COVID-19.
We’ve also put together some other educational resources that may help families with children during COVID-19 restrictions.
Community groups & centres
Community group facilities are currently closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions, but you can still get involved with their online activities and virtual catch-ups. If you want to get in touch with a community group in your area, follow them on Facebook to keep up-to-date.
The Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation supports kids living in families affected by mental illness. The program provides recreational educational camps and other activities, giving kids a break, in a fun, positive and safe environment. Kids have the opportunity to meet other kids in similar families and develop new friendships.
Where: Kookaburra Kids Head Office, PO BOX 681, Gymea 2227
More info: Kookaburra Kids website | Facebook | phone 02 9525 7474
The Australian Military Wives Choir, Canberra is a choir for women who support Military personnel in the Canberra region. As a no audition, no experience necessary group, they welcome new members. Despite their name bearing the word wives, they welcome any woman who has close links to serving ADF members. Perhaps you're a female ADF member or a close family member - a partner, wife, sister or mother. Join them on Facebook to find out more about their online activities you can do from home.
Where: Duntroon Chapel
When: First, third and fifth Thursday evening each month from 7pm
More info: Email canberra@amwchoir.com | Facebook | AMWC website
The Defence Special Needs Support Group provides support, information and assistance to Defence families across Australia. The Canberra coordinator is Claire MacFarlane-Rowles.
More info: Email canberra.north@dsnsg.org.au or canberra.south@dsnsg.org.au | DSNSG website | Facebook
Duntroon Community Centre, Gymkhana Road, RMC Duntroon, ACT
The Duntroon Community Centre (DCC) offers Defence families a place to go for companionship and support. Located on the grounds of RMC Duntroon, they offer a diverse array of programs and activities, available to both military (all services) and civilian families. ollow them on Facebook to find out about their online activities you can do from home.
More info: Visit Duntroon Community Centre website | Facebook | phone (02) 6265 9411
The playgroup has a different craft activity for the kids every week, lots of indoor and outdoor toys, a cubby house, a video, DVD and book library to borrow from, and a delicious morning tea for the mums and dads. BYO morning tea for the kids. If your children are 0-5 years old bring them along to meet some new friends. Contact the coordinator or follow them on Facebook to see what online activities they are hosting.
Where: Community House (next to Gold Creek Primary School), Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls, ACT
When: Every Thursday 9.30am-11.30am
Welcome: Parents and children
More info: President/Coordinator 0491 279 816 | email gungahlindfp@gmail.com | Facebook
Solid Rock Ministries is a group that provides support and encouragement for Christian Defence spouses and serving members, but all are welcome. They meet every Monday morning during school terms and also meet for other events, such as dinners, and host an annual retreat. Follow them on Facebook to find out more about the online activities you can join in with from home.
When: 10:00-11:30am Monday mornings; 7pm Monday evenings
Where: Soild Rock Community Centre, Parkinson Street, Weston
More info: Email Julianne at solidrockdefence@gmail.com | Facebook
Open Arms provides counselling and support services to Australia's military community. If you have served one day of continuous full-time service in the ADF you can call them for support. They also support families, reservists and some peacekeepers. Call Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 for free, confidential counselling and group programs to support mental health and wellbeing.
Regional info
The following resources and websites can give you a good grounding in local information and services available.
There are several Department of Defence offices across the Canberra region including Russell, Campbell Park, Anzac Park West Brindabella Park, Fyshwick, Queanbeyan and Deakin.
