Defence Family Matters
To find out about events for ADF families in Albury Wodonga, visit our Eventbrite page. You'll be able to RSVP, add events to your calendar and share with friends.
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 Military Wives Choir is a choir for women who support Defence Force members. As a no audition, no experience necessary choir, they welcome new members at any time during the year. Despite the word wives in their name, they welcome any woman who has close links to serving ADF members such as girlfriends, partners, wives, mothers and sisters. They also welcome female ADF members.
When: First and Third and Fifth Thursday evenings each month from 7pm
More information: email: CD.alburywodonga@amwchoir.com for the rehearsal location. Alternatively, check out our Facebook page and AWMC website for information about our online activities.
The House provides a range of childcare, courses and activities for both Defence and Civilian families. They are a registered childcare provider and provide various childcare options including occasional care, kinder and playgroup. All families wishing to utilise the childcare are required pay the annual membership fee of $10. Other activities are available at member and non-member rates such as courses, yoga and craft groups. To find out about their online activities follow them on Facebook.
Where: Wattle Road, North Bandiana Barracks (directly opposite the Military Post Office)
More information: 02 6055 2137 | bandiana@iinet.net.au | Facebook
The Defence Special Needs Support Group is a non-profit benevolent volunteer organisation established to assist ADF families with a family member with special needs.
More information: DSNSG Albury Wodonga
Open Arms continues to provide 24/7 counselling and support services to Australia's military community during COVID-19. 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.
Open Arms - Veterans and Families Counselling | Group Programs | Facebook
Skills and Jobs Centres offer a range of services aimed at supporting people find employment. Including face-to-face personalised careers advice, weekly workshops, as well as skills and training advice, we will support and help navigate you to new and exciting skills development opportunities and of course employment.
More information: Skills & Jobs Centres website
Regional info
The following resources and websites can give you a good grounding in local information and services available.
The largest and most diversified Military Museum in Australia. There are guns, tanks, vehicles, motor cycles, uniforms, medals and much more. Visit the museum and explore this wonderful collection of military history. There is a shop selling a range of corps items including plaques, cups, mugs, apparel and books.
The museum is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10.00am - 2.00pm. Military members free on production of ID card
The area cinema operates every Friday and Saturday night screening 2 recent release movies from 7.00pm. A Saturday matinee is run once a month from 1.00pm. Spouses can enjoy morning tea and a movie on the last Friday of each month (excluding school holidays) from 9.40am. School holiday matinees are run Wed-Sat at 1.00pm during Victorian school holidays. There are candy bar facilities available to purchase drinks and snacks. Please note: There are no EFTPOS facilities available ADF members and their families can access the cinema upon presentation of Military ID or spouse pass. The monthly program is available on G drive: Cinema folder or in the NECANA magazine. This facility is proudly operated by Anber Entertainment Services on behalf of AWMA RTF
You can also talk to your Unit Welfare Officer for more information.
Defence Member and Family Helpline | 1800 624 608
