Defence Force Families

[Mother Goose]

It's funny reading this - some things don't seem to change over time whilst others have. My Dad was Army (RAEME!) and we moved HEAPS. I can vividily recall neighbours bringing over scones and coffee as soon as they saw the moving truck pull up! That was something Mum did as well. Then DHA housing began to be intergrated "into the community" and we had more and more civvy neighbours. We were lucky that we usually had one or two Defence families in the same strip though that were friendly and provided supports. The civvies were usually pretty dubious and less friendly due to the frequent moving in and out.
But then you get communities like Holesworthy in NSW where the "intergration" has worked really well and most neighbours will introduce themselves - civvy or otherwise!

My DH is Reserves but I can still relate to each of you! The partners at his Unit are pretty hard to deal with sometimes - it's all about rank. I personally couldn't give a rats! There was one partner who was an Officer (DH was a Sgt, she was a Captain) and so no one would talk to her! They were completely different Corps! After that, DH told me I couldn't join as was the plan because I'd outrank him as a Nursing Officer.

If you're concerned about meeting people, you could always join a hobby group or organisation where you can meet like minded people. As a kid, I joined Girl Guides so I could meet people. As an adult, it was SES (nation wide), CFA, and St John Ambulance (Nation Wide). And of course play groups!

Good luck with the move Ali - embrace it as a new adventure and definately let the packers do all the work! We only ever packed things they wouldn't pack (like Dad's firearms) and things Mum didn't want to risk being broken (heirloom china etc). We had surprisingly few breaks - usually it was things like the fridge being scratched or a table leg being bent. I actually miss the nomadic life I grew up with!

MG

[Freya]

WBSB, well Im happy to offer my services as a doula to you when the time comes if you want Ive had 2 vaginal births so Im a bit of an old hand at it lol

[alioops]

Anna and WBSB, You can have the girls, I have 2 already, I want a boy

WBSB, I have had 2 waterbirths, which were awesome. number 3 will probably be a waterbirth too. I have had great birth experiences and natural pain relief for them. I have confidence in your ability to have the nex bub naturally too Re TTC: It is best to get the weight off between #2 & #3 as it is harder for each baby. I have also had my 2 close together and have finally had more of my marriage not pg than i have had pg. for a while there I had 18 months pg and 9 months not!

MG, All of the families in DH's ARes unit have young children, so we all got along when we met up for the family day. His unit is very relaxed though and he gets along really well with the seargent that runs his base, and he is a private atm! I think for me it is more a thing of the women with higher rank want to move up a class IYKWIM, not be welcoming and help the families who are where they have been. I think i will be trying very hard to be helpful for the newbies when I am an old hand at it

WBSB, If I am in Tsville I will be there for you but no offence I hope we get brissy, I like the temps I see on the forecast there

[TaznBondy]

Hi ladies

Hope you don't mind me joining in - a girlfriend of mine sent me the link to your thread!

I'm a Townsville defence partner too. My partner is in the army and has been for 6 years - although at the moment he's looking at other options due to being messed around so much lately (nothing new in his unit though!).

I'm originally from Perth and moved here to be with him 2 1/2 years ago and he's originally from country Victoria.

Townsville is a great place to live - the weather is AWESOME. I've made some magical friends up here too - some others defence, some not! I'm expecting our first bub in just over a week's time, so having more defence mums to talk to would be great....

Take care

Taz

[alioops]

HI Taz!

The more the merrier IMO! I started this thread so we would all know people wherever we get posted to and not end up lonely, but there is yet to be someone in Brissy pop in

Re the weather in Tsville, how hot does it get and for how long and how humid is it?

[Freya]

Ive heard its not too bad once you get used to it Ali. TBH I am so looking forward to no winter, I love summer. Its warm all year round, from what I can remember someone telling me wet season is Nov-April.

[TaznBondy]

Hi again

the humidity is something I love from places like Bali & Thailand so I didn't have a problem with it at all. Usually, it starts warming up around November, but really gets humid December - February / March. The rain comes in during that time too.. but it's NOTHING like what I've experienced in Perth - when it rains here it's still 29 degrees so it's alright if you get wet 'coz you don't freeze!

From around March onwards it cools down a bit and winter is still a nice 26 degrees during the day, getting cooler (again, not the same as other places - our minimum here is usually around 12!!!) at night!

How are you all liking being defence partners? And how long have you been one for? Personally, I haven't had much support at all when my partner has been away and we have both been messed around by the army, so I'm not a big fan at all! But, I've been told it's just the section that Bondy (DP) is attached to and the rest of the place isn't as bad... we'll see!!!!

Taz

[wannabaskinnybinny]

WBSB, well Im happy to offer my services as a doula to you when the time comes if you want Ive had 2 vaginal births so Im a bit of an old hand at it lol

Thanks, Ill need all the help I can get!!!

Hay I saw that you were hoping for a girl too... I have read in several places the following results from a UK study:
Women on low Calorie diets or who skip breakfast at the time of conception are more likely to give birth to girls. IVF research has deomonstrated that higher glucose levels encourage the development of male embryros. Women who dont eat breaky are more likely to have low glucose levels, which may impact the sex of their offspring. This research is thought to exlain why in developed countries, where many young women choose to have low calorie diets the proportion of boys born is falling. Dr Fiona Matthews of The University of Exeter

Alioops - Guess that means you need to eat a big breakfast

[alioops]

I had heard that WBSB!

Dh is in Murray bridge ATM for his final compliance shoot before the transfer. His current Sarge doubts very much that the paperwork will be done in time for him to go on the conversion course that starts on the 8th. One of the higher up members of the 10/27th decided they only need 1 full time clerk, and nothing is getting done properly. we wouldn't have this issue if when DH had gone inactive, someone had done the paperwork properly when he reactivated. His current temp job is being really understanding and know that he could get minimal notice. I am noticing that temp firms seem to be more understanding than permanent employers! I guess they have the thing of if you are not working you are not getting paid, so your loss, we can find someone else.

Taz, DH has been ARes for 5 years and is tranferring to regular army. I have been a defence partner for longer that he has had ties to the defence IYKWIM. He always wanted to be a soldier and was always wearing camo before he got in.

I am pretty much guaranteed work if we go to Brissy or Darwin. My temp firm has offices there and Darwin especially are desperate for temps. hoping for brissy though coz anything over 30 degrees I melt. I hate Adelaide summers! it got to 45 degrees last summer! yuck! be nice to have some rain sometimes! but I also like sunshine!

[alioops]

I know i probably should have just edited the last post but I have a rather imprtant question.

If/When DH is posted O/S do we qualify for single parent pension? This always confuses me! I will also make a post for Briggsy's Girl as she would definately know.

[wannabaskinnybinny]

I know i probably should have just edited the last post but I have a rather imprtant question.

If/When DH is posted O/S do we qualify for single parent pension? This always confuses me! I will also make a post for Briggsy's Girl as she would definately know.

No because you aren't single (technically). It is the same as if he went on a holiday. You could call Centrelink to clarify and also if you chose to stay where you were and he went to the new posting but as far as I am aware for both you are still married, defacto etc. Single means that you are no longer in a realtionship. But of course if Centrelink say differently then please let us know cos that would be great )

[AnyDream]

No you do not qualify as single, although until July 1 this year you'd get a Centrelink windfall in your family tax benefit and child care payment amounts as Centrelink previously only calculated your taxable income. However this is changing as of July 1st so you will need to work out how much he is likely to get paid and report that to Centrelink early on in the deployment or you could end up with a massive overpayment problem at the end of the financial year. This will be a nightmare and IMO they have not considered the full impact this will have on Defence families who often revert to pretty low incomes once the member is back on Oz soil.