Global pandemic brings out the best in Roberston Barracks Family Group

NO matter how many times they do it, Defence families always face challenges settling into a new home. Add a global pandemic to the mix and the world can feel like a very lonely place

Territory Hero's Steph Hilser-Ritter and Cassie Vuat have helped defence families, many of who run single parent households while one parent is serving the country, by providing care packages during the coronavirus pandemic Picture: Che Chorley

NO matter how many times they do it, Defence families always face challenges settling into a new home.

Add a global pandemic to the mix and the world can feel like a very lonely place.

However, the Robertson Barracks Family Group (RBFG) has helped make life easier for settling families, dropping off care packages and helping them build connections online during coronavirus shutdowns.

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It has seen the group nominated for the Territory Hero Awards Neighbourhood/Group Hero category.

RBFG Centre co-ordinator Cassandra Vuat said once lockdowns kept people off the streets and in home as much as possible, it was more important than ever to connect with them.

“We started setting up care packages for our members, particularly focusing on those whose partners were deployed at the time and especially those new to the NT,” she said.

“Defence families move around a lot, it is difficult to find a way in and make friends, that’s why the family centres are a great place to go, you’re around other people in the same position as you.

“The committee and I were quite worried … we wanted to provide a support network and show those what it’s like to live up here, especially those with little kids.”

The care packages gave parents at home something to do with their children such as arts and crafts activities, while building friendships through a Facebook network.

“We’ve set up a page so they can show us what crafts their kids are up to and developing relationships on the page,” she said.

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Nominations for the Territory Hero Awards close on June 19.

Dob in your everyday hero ad visit the website to see all the different categories:territoryday.nt.gov.au/territory-hero-awards/