WOMEN AND FAMILIES UNITED BY DEFENCE SERVICE COUNCIL

THE membership of the Council for Women and Families United by Defence Service has been announced today ahead of its first meeting on 2 August.

Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said he was delighted that Army veteran and current Chief Executive of BAE Systems Australia, Ms Gabby Costigan, had agreed to chair the new Council.

“The needs of women and families affected by defence service are not always understood or visible, and their voices are not always heard,” Mr Chester said.

“That’s why­ I announced the creation of the Council for Women and Families United by Defence Service, so that women and families could have a direct voice to my office.

“It’s important that we recognise—and seek to better understand—the service and sacrifice of women who have either served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) themselves or been impacted by the service of a loved one.”

Ms Costigan was honoured to be a part of the Council.  

“I am proud to serve as Chair for the Council and provide my support to delivering better outcomes for veterans and their families,” Ms Costigan said.

“I look forward to working with such a talented and experienced group of individuals to help provide a stronger voice for an often unheard part of the community.”

The following people have been appointed to the Council to provide advice to the Government, drive coherent policy outcomes and advocate on behalf of women and families united by defence service:

Chair | Ms Gabby Costigan MBE
Deputy Chair | Ms Janine Kirk AM           
Member | Mr Douglas (Doug) Baird OAM
Member | Mrs Rhondda Vanzella OAM
Member | Mr Michael Bainbridge
Member | Ms Gwen Cherne
Member | Dr Rachel Martin
Member | Ms Anne Pahl    
Member | Ms Rachel Ranton
Member | The Venerable Robert Sutherland CSC 
Member | Mrs Renee Wilson           
Member | Ms Meredith Lane
Member | Flight Lieutenant Amanda Scott
Member | Ms Elizabeth Ward
Ex-Officio | Ms Liz Cosson AM, CSC
Ex-Officio | Major General Natasha Fox AM CSC 
Ex-Officio | Ms Kate Pope PSM

“The Council is made up of a diverse range of people including parents, partners and widows of ADF personnel, chaplains, skilled professionals, veterans and ADF members,” Mr Chester said.

“Each member has lived experience of the challenges faced by veterans and veterans’ families.

“I thank each member for agreeing to sit on the Council and I look forward working with them to further improve the services and support provided to women and families united by defence service.”