defence families support - Families of Veterans Guild https://familiesofveterans.org.au Thu, 04 Sep 2025 04:05:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://familiesofveterans.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-FVG-Badge_Green-004b49-no-wattle-07-32x32.png defence families support - Families of Veterans Guild https://familiesofveterans.org.au 32 32 Enhancing mental health for NSW veterans and their families https://familiesofveterans.org.au/mental-health-veteran-families/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mental-health-veteran-families Thu, 04 Sep 2025 04:05:04 +0000 https://familiesofveterans.org.au/?p=18118 Our submission to the Mental Health Commission dedicated to veterans and their families In June 2025 the Mental Health Commission of NSW released a consultation paper to assist in the development of their new Strategy for mental health and wellbeing in NSW.   With 26% of Australian veterans calling NSW home and an estimated 246,000 […]

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]]> Our submission to the Mental Health Commission dedicated to veterans and their families
In June 2025 the Mental Health Commission of NSW released a consultation paper to assist in the development of their new Strategy for mental health and wellbeing in NSW.
 
With 26% of Australian veterans calling NSW home and an estimated 246,000 families of veterans in NSW, and families of veterans more likely to experience ill mental health than the general population, it is important that the Mental Health Commission understands what we currently know about the impacts of Defence service on these groups.
 

Unique risk factors for veterans

Our submission to the Commission highlights the work of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide from 2021-2024 and points to the unique risk factors experienced by the veteran population including:
 
  • Disrupted healthcare journeys.
  • The presence and prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) within military populations, and the close linkage between TBI/CTE and suicidal ideation and death by suicide.
  • The combination and accumulation of multiple stressors experienced within military communities; and
  • The injury burden experienced by our current and former serving Defence force members and their families.
The Submission also highlights what is currently known about the mental health and wellbeing of veteran families pointing to the findings of the 2019 Family Wellbeing Study, which show there are negative impacts of Defence service on the families of veterans. In particular, spouses, children and parents.
 

Calling for support in the improvement of veteran family wellbeing

Our submission makes the call for a stream of work dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of veteran families in NSW within the new strategy and suggests options to the mental health commission to include – such as:
 
  • Including a role of the NSW Office for Veterans
  • Funding the delivery of programs and services through the National Centre for Veterans Health Care which mitigate the unique risk factors associated with poor outcomes for veterans and their families
  • Improving military cultural competence of mental health providers within the state
  • Screen for adverse childhood experiences and report the findings
  • Deliver SafeTALK training within community sector organisations working in NSW; and
  • Conduct research into the Defence family population in NSW.
We look forward to hearing what the Commission thinks and working with them to support the families of veterans in NSW.

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]]> Harbour heritage EcoWalks Mosman https://familiesofveterans.org.au/defence-families-register-now/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=defence-families-register-now Mon, 09 Sep 2024 06:22:50 +0000 https://familiesofveterans.org.au/?p=12220 For Veteran’s Health Week, we invite Sydney veteran families for a harbour heritage EcoWalk tour in Mosman Are you the partner of a current serving ADF member, a veteran spouse, parent of a veteran, adult child of a veteran, a widow, or connected to Defence in another way? As part of Veterans’ Health Week, we […]

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For Veteran’s Health Week, we invite Sydney veteran families for a harbour heritage EcoWalk tour in Mosman

Are you the partner of a current serving ADF member, a veteran spouse, parent of a veteran, adult child of a veteran, a widow, or connected to Defence in another way? As part of Veterans’ Health Week, we warmly invite veteran families to join us for a military relic walking tour followed by a picnic lunch in Mosman on Friday 4 or Saturday 5 October 2024, brought to you by our Wellbeing Program.

The theme of Veterans’ Health Week 2024 is Keep Connected. This theme aims to promote good health and wellbeing in the everyday life of veteran families and shines a light on the importance of social connection.

Families of veterans can sometimes experience overwhelm when balancing the demands of supporting family, the impact of ADF service and/or in caring roles due to illness, injury and transitions. Social connection is at the core of our wellbeing events. In addressing social isolation and loneliness, we acknowledge that veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining peer connections due to the unique nature of Defence life. The purpose of this event is to encourage the families of veterans to engage in self-care activities and expand their social network by connecting with like-minded peers.

Military head battery and barracks walking tour

Veterans families are invited to come together and explore the significant historical and cultural heritage within the Sydney Harbour National Park. Attendees will discover the hidden sites of Sydney Harbour’s military history and hear stories of Australia’s past service men and women. The tour will be facilitated by EcoWalks Tours, a veteran owned business. This event aims to support peer connection and wellbeing for veteran families.

The event will conclude with a catered picnic where attendees can continue connecting with their peers over a healthy lunch whilst taking in the views of Sydney Harbour.

Wear comfortable, weather appropriate clothing. This includes but is not limited to a hat, sunscreen, enclosed shoes that provide effective support to walk a moderate distance. Also, consider wearing long sleeves and pants to reduce the risk of sun exposure and if necessary, wet weather gear which may include a rain jacket.

While this event is open to all ages, attendees will need to be able to walk for two hours unassisted. There is a bus stop and ticketed parking lot nearby.

There is no cost for this event. The walking tour and lunch will be provided by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees of the walking tour have said “Thank you for your in-depth insights into that incredible history and enthusiasm with sharing your knowledge. We learnt a lot about local history, fauna & flora! Very knowledgeable and professional.”

Event information

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below, on Eventbrite or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au

register here

The post Harbour heritage EcoWalks Mosman first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

]]> Harbour heritage EcoWalks Mosman https://familiesofveterans.org.au/sydney-veteran-families-event/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sydney-veteran-families-event Mon, 09 Sep 2024 06:10:10 +0000 https://familiesofveterans.org.au/?p=12211 For Veteran’s Health Week, we invite Sydney veteran families for a harbour heritage EcoWalk tour in Mosman Are you the partner of a current serving ADF member, a veteran spouse, parent of a veteran, adult child of a veteran, a widow, or connected to Defence in another way? As part of Veterans’ Health Week, we […]

The post Harbour heritage EcoWalks Mosman first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

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For Veteran’s Health Week, we invite Sydney veteran families for a harbour heritage EcoWalk tour in Mosman

Are you the partner of a current serving ADF member, a veteran spouse, parent of a veteran, adult child of a veteran, a widow, or connected to Defence in another way? As part of Veterans’ Health Week, we warmly invite veteran families to join us for a military relic walking tour followed by a picnic lunch in Mosman on Friday 4 or Saturday 5 October 2024, brought to you by our Wellbeing Program.

The theme of Veterans’ Health Week 2024 is Keep Connected. This theme aims to promote good health and wellbeing in the everyday life of veteran families and shines a light on the importance of social connection.

Families of veterans can sometimes experience overwhelm when balancing the demands of supporting family, the impact of ADF service and/or in caring roles due to illness, injury and transitions. Social connection is at the core of our wellbeing events. In addressing social isolation and loneliness, we acknowledge that veteran families may face barriers in developing and maintaining peer connections due to the unique nature of Defence life. The purpose of this event is to encourage the families of veterans to engage in self-care activities and expand their social network by connecting with like-minded peers.

Military head battery and barracks walking tour

Veteran families are invited to come together and explore the significant historical and cultural heritage within the Sydney Harbour National Park. Attendees will discover the hidden sites of Sydney Harbour’s military history and hear stories of Australia’s past service men and women. The tour will be facilitated by EcoWalks Tours, a veteran owned business. This event aims to support peer connection and wellbeing for veteran families.

The event will conclude with a catered picnic where attendees can continue connecting with their peers over a healthy lunch whilst taking in the views of Sydney Harbour.

Wear comfortable, weather appropriate clothing. This includes but is not limited to a hat, sunscreen, enclosed shoes that provide effective support to walk a moderate distance. Also, consider wearing long sleeves and pants to reduce the risk of sun exposure and if necessary, wet weather gear which may include a rain jacket.

While this event is open to all ages, attendees will need to be able to walk for two hours unassisted. There is a bus stop and ticketed parking lot nearby.

There is no cost for this event. The walking tour and lunch will be provided by Families of Veterans Guild.

Previous attendees of the walking tour have said “Thank you for your in-depth insights into that incredible history and enthusiasm with sharing your knowledge. We learnt a lot about local history, fauna & flora! Very knowledgeable and professional.”

Event information

  • Location: Meet on the lawn outside ‘Burnt Orange’ 1109 Middle Head Road, Mosman

  • Date and Time: Friday 4th October 10am-2pm

  • Registrations: OPEN NOW Register below

  • Cost: FREE for Families of Veterans

  • Other Dates: Cannot make it on that day? It’s OK, we have another tour on Saturday 5 October! Click here for more information on the Saturday tour. 

Registration is a must, places are limited. Register below, on Eventbrite or call us on 02 9267 6577. For more information, please email wellbeing@fov.org.au

register here

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