Information Expo to Help New ADF Arrivals in Ipswich

WELCOME: Carissa, Clint and Dusty McIlwain at the expo organised by the Defence Community Organisation.

FOR Australian Defence Force members and their families, packing their lives into cardboard boxes and moving to a new location can become a common experience.

ADF members can be required to relocate on posting every two to three years. 

That means military families have to get used to regularly adjusting to new surroundings. 

To make the experience a less bewildering ordeal, the Defence Community Organisation rolled out the welcome mat to families on new postings to RAAF Base Amberley with an Information Expo. 

Cathy Dellit and J.J. Millar at the information expo at the Ipswich RSL

The event, held at the Ipswich RSL, featured numerous stalls offering useful local knowledge, giveaways and information about Ipswich; from child care services to support organisations. 

Each year, more than 500 families are relocated into the Ipswich region as a result of new postings. 
Among them was vehicle mechanic Clint McIlwain who was posted in Amberley and arrived in Ipswich four weeks ago with his wife Carissa and five-month-old son, Dusty. 

Mrs McIlwain said she attended the expo to obtain useful community information - all in the one location. 

"I haven't found the move too difficult so far," the 29-year-old said. 

"I'm starting to get to know more people...it helps if you have a kid because there are a few social circles for mums." 

Mrs McIlwain said events like the DFO expo definitely made life a lot easier though when relocating.