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Welcome to homeschooling in the Dry Season! Something that was raised with us recently was the thought that we would be limiting our children’s opportunities in life by continuing homeschooling beyond primary school. What I have learnt since we began this lifestyle is that there are many ways to achieve what you want to achieve in life. You can still go to university, you can still pursue any career you like, and still learn at home before doing so. There are Distance Edu

MakerSpace is an Army innovation initiative designed to strengthen the cognitive capability of Defence personnel through creativity, hands-on learning, and nontraditional problem solving. Delivered on base and free to attend for all members, MakerSpace empowers members to think differently, prototype rapidly, and develop practical solutions to real operational challenges. Located across nine sites nationally, MakerSpace provides a safe, welcoming, and member focused environme

I posted to the NT in 2022 - a new chapter and a fresh start. Being on my own, I quickly realised how lonely and isolating it could be, and I was determined to get a dog for companionship. However, I soon learned that work life can make full-time pet ownership difficult, particularly when frequent travel is involved. The accommodation I was living in also wasn’t suitable for animals on a long-term basis. That’s when I began looking into volunteering and fostering, a decision

Why did I choose to volunteer? Before I enlisted in the Infantry in 2016, I was unsuccessful on my first attempt based on an apparent lack of “life experience” - I was18-years-old and fresh out of high school and, in hindsight, they weren’t wrong. When I got home, I was defeated and crushed by the news. Not long after, I was sitting at the Horsley Park pub, and I noticed a bunch of local boys in yellow uniforms, spinning yarns about how “rough” the upcoming fire season w

Driver Inattention and the Rider – Inattentional blindness It should come as no surprise to most of our readers, that motorcycles are harder to see than other types of more common road vehicles. SMIDSY – Sorry Mate I Didn’t See you – is a common term that relates to the drivers response to an accident that has occurred, which in the majority cases has left a rider injured on the road, awaiting the care of an ambulance and an extended hospital visit. For many riders that face

Recently I was discussing the notion that a lot of parents have regarding homeschooling; “I don’t have the patience to home school”. Whilst it’s a nice thought that they feel we must have amazing patience, it’s not entirely accurate. I don’t know of a single family who chose to homeschool because they’re patient. What a lot of us have found is that through choosing this path we don’t need as much patience as we did with traditional schooling! Our children are no longer stress

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had music that reflected contemporary military service, as well as commemorating what happened in the past?”. This was the topic of conversation on Anzac Day 2023 in Newcastle, NSW, that sowed the seed for creating music that honours historical service while being relevant to currently serving ADF members and their families. Standing on the Shoulders was written in a flurry of inspiration after Anzac Day 2023, with the words and music seemin

Life has a way of piling on responsibilities, and when your partner is away for work, whether for days, weeks, or longer, the domestic and emotional load can feel overwhelming. From managing daily routines to caring for children and maintaining a home, the weight of “doing it all” can take a toll on your mental well-being. The good news? A few simple, intentional strategies can make a big difference in maintaining your mental health and household harmony. Embrace Imperfection

AUTHOR: Peta Johansen - Co-Founder of Magnify Her "Fear is information. Joy is strategy. Gratitude is grounding. Micro-steps are progress. And when women rise together, everything magnifies." Two years ago, I walked into the largest room I’d ever been - over 400 women from 40 countries at the Forbes 30/50 Women’s Summit in Abu Dhabi. Leaders, visionaries, and trailblazers surrounded me, and I felt that familiar knot in my throat and churn in my stomach. Who am I to be here?

By Jemmah Lowry – Sew Good Baby After having kids, and while my husband was deployed overseas, I found myself looking for something else to fill my days. I started sewing and subsequently started my own small business! My business enabled me to continue to care for my children, with the flexibility of working from home, while allowing me to be creative doing something I loved, and giving me a sense of fulfillment that I was also contributing to the family financially. It

by Michelle Jarrett TRIGGER WARNING: Please be aware that this story contains material dealing with suicide and suicidality that could be distressing for some people. If you need urgent or crisis support contact a 24/7 service that can help you, such as Open Arms 1800 011 046; Defence Member and Family Support Helpline 1800 624 608; or Lifeline 13 11 14. In the Top End, behind my husband’s Defence duties, Cowork Coplay held me through my hidden battle. Darwin is geographicall

It doesn’t matter what the question is; Op shopping is the answer! It’s the thrill of the hunt, the pure excitement of finding a like-new Mister Zimi dress for just $20 or a special edition Jumbuck Driza-Bone vest for my husband valued at $429, for only $50! Needing day care clothes? Op shop. Need to frock up for the Welcome Ball? Op shop. Kids wanting more books? Op shop. And luckily for us, there’s plenty of stores to choose from! Here’s a few to check out: KATHERINE Re