Defence Special Needs Support Group

Award for National Co-Patron

At a special ceremony held recently at Parliament House, The Hon. Bruce Billson, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence was presented with a Defence Special Needs Support Group Achievement Award in recognition of his support and assistance as National Co-Patron of the group.

In addition to the Achievement Award, Minister Billson also received the coverted "Special Needs Bear" (sitting in background on shelf). The bear symbolises the caring nature of the group. Each bear is individually made by its creator - Carol Hardstaff.

The Defence Special Needs Support Group would like to thank Minister Billson for his ongoing support.

Minister Billson pictured receiving his award from Margaret Fisk, National Coordinator Defence Special Needs Support Group.

DEFCREDIT "Digs Deep" in a big way to help Special Needs Families

Jon Lineham, CEO DEFCREDIT with Margaret Fisk at the DSNSG National Conference

DSNSG welcomes new Supporting Partners

The Defence Special Needs Support Group welcomes two new organisations to their very successful Supporting Partners Program - EDS Australia and e2GO.

Both organisations have pledged their commitment and support for the Defence Special Needs Support Group and the work that the group does for Defence families who provide care for someone with special needs.

General Manager e2GO, Wayne Richards with Margaret Fisk and Melanie Graham

New DSNSG Programs announced

At the DSNSG National Conference held in May 2007, a number of new programs were announced. These include: Reading for Life, sibMates and Home2Hospital.

For more information on these program, please contact the National Coordinator on 1800 037 674 or email.

DSHIS Telescope Competition

Congratulations to all those who entered our Telescope Competition kindly supported by Defence Service Homes Insurance Scheme.

Those who received a telescope and other prizes were: Kenneth Trainer, Hayden McGuigan, william Bruce, Kyle Smith, Caitlin Tuckerman, Robert Eaton, Jesse Back, Joseph Horder and Matthew Smit.

Runners-up were: Shanelle Von Saldern, Karl Anstey, Raymond Clinkabery, Aaron Moss, Leslie Clinkaberry, Adam Neal, James Kingsford and Taylor Hodges.

Well done everyone.

New DSNSG Program - "Connecting Families"

"Connecting Families" is about connecting families. The aim of the program is to get families together to increase their networking and provide peer support. The "Connecting Families Program" includes outings for families, dinners for parents/adults, workshops etc all at subsidized rates to DSNSG members. The aim is not only to provide this within a local support group but to link the local groups together where possible. The impact of this will also increase the networking opportunities within our National Parent-to-Parent Network.

Already "Connecting Families" has brought together families from the Darling Downs, Amberley and Brisbane areas and in NSW, families from the Williamtown, Richmond and Sydney groups.

A big thank you to DEFCREDIT for raising funds during Dig Deep for a Dollar Day which allows us to provide this program.

Specialized help for Families who have a child who is Gifted & Talented

To assist families who have a child who is Gifted & Talented, a new Coordinator has been appointed. Sarah Tuckerman has been a Defence spouse for 16 years and is the parent of two special needs children.

Her many occupations over 14 postings include: student, logistics management, administrative assistant, magazine section -editor, full time home duties and home educator. Sarah's special interest is in children who are both gifted and learning disabled and this prompted her to complete postgraduate qualifications in Gifted Education.

Sarah wishes to use her personal and professional knowledge to support and advocate for other ADF families through her new role with the DSNSG.

So in future, not only will families be linked into their local DSNSG Coordinator, but also linked into Sarah. For more information or to contact Sarah please call (03) 5258 5464 or email dsnsggat@optusnet.com.au

DSNSG Announces New Initiative - "One of the Group"

One of the Group" is a new initiative by the Defence Special Needs Support Group. The program is designed to support children aged aged 7 - 10 years who have difficulty acquiring age-appropriate social skills and to assist them to develop the skills needed to interact positively with
their peers.

Late in 2004, 6 facilitators were trained by Learning Links Inc. to conduct the program and two trials were held - one in Brisbane and one in Melbourne. We are currently evaluating the program and are looking at conducting more around Australia during 2005.

The "One of the Group" Program covers topics and skills such as:

- basic communication skills such as making eye contact, active listening, taking turns
- greeting peers
- asking to be included in games
- inviting others to play games
- recognizing and responding appropriately to emotions
- recognizing and responding appropriately to situations where the child is being neglected or rejected by their peers
- identifying what makes a good friend
- enhancing self-esteem

A parent information and workshop session is also conducted.

Our wonderful "One of the Group" Facilitators

"One of the Group" is being funded through Dig Deep for a Dollar Donations and monies raised with the selling of the Slouch Hat Chocolates
by Defcredit and APS Benefits. There is a small cost to families.

For more information please contact the National Office on 1800 037 674





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Home Latest News About DSNSG Assistance Available to Families Publications Posting Information Dig Deep for a Dollar Circle of Friends Useful Links Chat Bulletin Board Contact Details Thankyous Coordinators Only			Award for National Co-Patron At a special ceremony held recently at Parliament House, The Hon. Bruce Billson, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence was presented with a Defence Special Needs Support Group Achievement Award in recognition of his support and assistance as National Co-Patron of the group. In addition to the Achievement Award, Minister Billson also received the coverted "Special Needs Bear" (sitting in background on shelf). The bear symbolises the caring nature of the group. Each bear is individually made by its creator - Carol Hardstaff. The Defence Special Needs Support Group would like to thank Minister Billson for his ongoing support. Minister Billson pictured receiving his award from Margaret Fisk, National Coordinator Defence Special Needs Support Group. DEFCREDIT "Digs Deep" in a big way to help Special Needs Families Due to the wonderful efforts of DEFCREDIT staff in branches across Australia, the Defence Special Needs Support Group was presented with a massive cheque for $110,000 at their Annual Conference Dinner. In front of an appreciative audience including CDF and DSNSG National Patron, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Mr. Mark Richards and Mr. Jon Lineham from DEFCREDIT presented the cheque to Margaret Fisk, National Coordinator DSNSG. Monies raised from Dig Deep for a Dollar Day will go towards National projects including the DSNSG new programs, Reading for Life, sibMates and Home2Hospital. Again we thank everyone at DEFCREDIT for their wonderful effort and those Defence personnel who supported Dig Deep for a Dollar Day. *Jon Lineham, CEO DEFCREDIT with Margaret Fisk at the DSNSG National Conference* DSNSG welcomes new Supporting Partners The Defence Special Needs Support Group welcomes two new organisations to their very successful Supporting Partners Program - EDS Australia and e2GO. Both organisations have pledged their commitment and support for the Defence Special Needs Support Group and the work that the group does for Defence families who provide care for someone with special needs. *General Manager e2GO, Wayne Richards with Margaret Fisk and* *Melanie Graham* New DSNSG Programs announced At the DSNSG National Conference held in May 2007, a number of new programs were announced. These include: Reading for Life, sibMates and Home2Hospital. Reading for Life is a program conducted by Learning Links and provides assistance to children in Years 2, 3 or 4 who have a reading difficulty. A trained Volunteer works with the child and the teacher to enhance reading skills. sibMates is a program to support "at risk" children who have a brother or sister with a severe disability. The program allows them to spend time with another Defence family in an environment where they are able to participate in every day activities. Home2Hospital provides various assistance measures to families where the person with special needs is required to spend time in a hospital away from the local area ie family living in Canberra and the hospital is in Sydney. For more information on these program, please contact the National Coordinator on 1800 037 674 or email. DSHIS Telescope Competition Congratulations to all those who entered our Telescope Competition kindly supported by Defence Service Homes Insurance Scheme. Those who received a telescope and other prizes were: Kenneth Trainer, Hayden McGuigan, william Bruce, Kyle Smith, Caitlin Tuckerman, Robert Eaton, Jesse Back, Joseph Horder and Matthew Smit. Runners-up were: Shanelle Von Saldern, Karl Anstey, Raymond Clinkabery, Aaron Moss, Leslie Clinkaberry, Adam Neal, James Kingsford and Taylor Hodges. Well done everyone. New DSNSG Program - "Connecting Families" "Connecting Families" is about connecting families. The aim of the program is to get families together to increase their networking and provide peer support. The "Connecting Families Program" includes outings for families, dinners for parents/adults, workshops etc all at subsidized rates to DSNSG members. The aim is not only to provide this within a local support group but to link the local groups together where possible. The impact of this will also increase the networking opportunities within our National Parent-to-Parent Network. Already "Connecting Families" has brought together families from the Darling Downs, Amberley and Brisbane areas and in NSW, families from the Williamtown, Richmond and Sydney groups. A big thank you to DEFCREDIT for raising funds during Dig Deep for a Dollar Day which allows us to provide this program. Specialized help for Families who have a child who is Gifted & Talented To assist families who have a child who is Gifted & Talented, a new Coordinator has been appointed. Sarah Tuckerman has been a Defence spouse for 16 years and is the parent of two special needs children. Her many occupations over 14 postings include: student, logistics management, administrative assistant, magazine section -editor, full time home duties and home educator. Sarah's special interest is in children who are both gifted and learning disabled and this prompted her to complete postgraduate qualifications in Gifted Education. Sarah wishes to use her personal and professional knowledge to support and advocate for other ADF families through her new role with the DSNSG. So in future, not only will families be linked into their local DSNSG Coordinator, but also linked into Sarah. For more information or to contact Sarah please call (03) 5258 5464 or email dsnsggat@optusnet.com.au DSNSG Announces New Initiative - "One of the Group" One of the Group" is a new initiative by the Defence Special Needs Support Group. The program is designed to support children aged aged 7 - 10 years who have difficulty acquiring age-appropriate social skills and to assist them to develop the skills needed to interact positively with their peers. Late in 2004, 6 facilitators were trained by Learning Links Inc. to conduct the program and two trials were held - one in Brisbane and one in Melbourne. We are currently evaluating the program and are looking at conducting more around Australia during 2005. The "One of the Group" Program covers topics and skills such as: - basic communication skills such as making eye contact, active listening, taking turns - greeting peers - asking to be included in games - inviting others to play games - recognizing and responding appropriately to emotions - recognizing and responding appropriately to situations where the child is being neglected or rejected by their peers - identifying what makes a good friend - enhancing self-esteem A parent information and workshop session is also conducted. *Our wonderful "One of the Group" Facilitators* "One of the Group" is being funded through Dig Deep for a Dollar Donations and monies raised with the selling of the Slouch Hat Chocolates by Defcredit and APS Benefits. There is a small cost to families. For more information please contact the National Office on 1800 037 674 Top

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