Amid the unpredictability of defence life, the safe and nurturing environment at the Y Hammondville Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) service has been a balm for the Barnes family.
As they adapt to changes to their family routine this year, Kerryn, who joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2004, and wife Stacey say having the support of the Hammondville OSHC team has been invaluable for their son, Josh, 8, who has attended the service since kindergarten.
"The Y Hammondville has been incredibly supportive since Josh first started attending," Kerryn said. "Their flexibility in adapting to our changing schedule has made a huge difference. The staff are lovely, helpful, and supportive, and they go above and beyond for us."
That village of support has proven even more important this year as new doors have opened for Kerryn, who has spent more than two decades dedicated to the security and protection of our shores.
"I spent the first 15 years of my career as a Maritime Warfare Officer, serving on the bridge of Navy ships, being responsible for their safe operation and navigation," she told the Y.
"Some of that time was spent as Second-in-Command and Boarding Officer on patrol boats, contributing to the [Federal] Government’s Operation Sovereign Borders. I also deployed to Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific, supporting diplomatic engagement and representing Australian interests in the region."
Having recently re-specialised as a Human Resources Officer, helping to ensure the Navy has the right people, skills and structures to meet its future needs, Kerryn has this year been posted to Canberra to complete a course that will support her career transition.
"This is an amazing opportunity for my career, but one that means I can only come home on weekends. For Stacey to continue working, having Josh in a safe, supportive and genuinely enjoyable OHSC environment has been essential," she said.
Knowing their son is “happy, engaged and well cared for” gives the couple “enormous peace of mind during a demanding year”.
Both Kerryn and Stacey navigate the complexities of work and family life on top of the unique demands of serving in the Navy.
“Defence life can involve irregular hours, postings, training commitments and time away from home, and children benefit enormously from having a stable, welcoming environment they can rely on,” Kerryn said.
“Places like the Y provide not just care, but consistency, connection and community, all of which help Defence kids feel grounded, supported and confident, no matter what changes are happening around them.”
Josh “absolutely loves it”, she said. “He enjoys the activities, the educators, the friendships he’s made, and he’s always excited to tell us what he’s been up to. It’s a place he genuinely looks forward to attending, which, as a parent, is all you can hope for.”
This Anzac Day will be another opportunity to teach their two sons about the history, sacrifice and service that have shaped Australia, and to help them understand the values the day represents: courage, mateship and resilience.
That education is also a significant part of school life for Josh, who is just one of many children from defence families in the area.
“We’re fortunate to live near Holsworthy Barracks, so Hammondville Public School has a strong connection to Defence. Josh learns far more about ANZAC Day and the ADF than I ever did at his age. He loves attending services, seeing me in uniform, and asking about my medals and what they represent,” Kerryn said.
Tomorrow, Kerryn and Stacey will share more of the Anzac legacy with their two boys – the values of service and sacrifice echoed not only in remembrance, but in the everyday support that enables their family to thrive.
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