FUNDING SUPPORT FOR LOCAL DEFENCE FAMILIES

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today announced a $5,000 grant for the Puckapunyal Kindergarten Association Inc (PKAI) in Victoria.

Funded under the Defence Family Support Funding Program, the grant will help pay for an administrative coordinator to assist with the effective running of the PKAI and mitigating the rapid changes in staff and committee members brought about by postings.

Mr Snowdon said he was honoured to present the dedicated and hardworking kindergarten staff with the grant.

“The PKAI provides a total kindergarten experience to 3 and 4 year olds in the Puckapunyal area, and the centre’s qualified staff tailor innovative early childhood programs, to the needs of the children with emphasis on the special needs of children of Australian Defence Force (ADF) families.

“This is very important as ADF families face a lot of challenges as a result of the military lifestyle,” said Mr Snowdon.

“Families are required to be mobile, relocating sometimes as often as every two years, to areas where they may have no established family or social networks.

“This new administrative coordinator role will provide continuity and knowledge of policies and practices with the management of the kindergarten,” said Mr Snowdon.

“The Defence Family Support Funding Program is one of a number of programs that the Defence Community Organisation offers to help ADF families connect with their local community.”

During this financial year, over a million dollars has been allocated through the Defence Family Support Funding Program across 54 Defence family groups in all States and Territories, as well as in Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):           02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:                         02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664