Hi, my name is Mrs Lawrence. I am the new Defence School Mentor.

I began working at St John the Evangelist High School in 2010 as a School Support Officer. In 2020, I transferred to St Michael’s and enjoyed my time back in Kindergarten. I am currently working with both schools. I have been a Defence spouse and travelled around Australia with my husband for thirty-three years. I have experienced the challenges that relocating interstate with a family can bring.

I aim to connect the Defence families to be more involved in the community and am currently busy settling in our new Year 7 Defence students and our Kindergarten students. I am also currently liaising with Kookaburra Kids and Open Arms to see how we can connect into the services they provide to Defence families. 

In 2005, our family moved back to Nowra after relocating five times in five years to five different states. My children attended Cambewarra Public School and then completed high school at St John the Evangelist Catholic High School. My husband was a Rear Admiral in the navy and was the Head Navy Engineer for six years. He was based in Canberra and commuted for nine years while my two teenage boys and I lived at Culburra Beach. I know the impact mobility and service-related parental absence can have on a family. I am well known in the Shoalhaven. Due to my experience in different schools in the Shoalhaven, I have come to know many students and always go out of my way to make Defence students feel welcome.

My passions are AFL and Surf Life Saving. Our family have been a part of Bomaderry Tigers Australian Football Club and Nowra Culburra Surf Life Saving club since 2005. My husband is the President of the Surf Club and he also coaches the Bomaderry Tigers Senior Women's AFL team.   

I am very passionate about all aspects of a Defence lifestyle. My oldest son has joined the Royal Australian Navy as a pilot and has finished a degree in the Australian Defence Force Academy. My youngest son is a helicopter technician with Sikorsky Australia working at HMAS Albatross. They are now both in their sixth year. I am very happy to assist any students who might be looking for similar career opportunities. 

I look forward to meeting you all in 2024. Please feel free to contact me at any time.

KOOKABURRA KIDS PROGRAMS

Kookaburra Kids have many exciting programs coming up in 2024 for Defence Kids in both Sydney and the Shoalhaven!

• 2nd March – Nowra Treetops Adventure & Shoalhaven Zoo
• 15th-17th March – Camping Adventure at Port Hacking
• 23rd March – Wattle Grove One Wall Mural & Skate 

Click here for details.

 

Please reach out to the support networks available if you need them.

• DMFS 24hrs Helpline 1800 624 608
• OpenArms 1800-011-046
• Lifeline 131114

We are looking forward to seeing you in 2024.

I am thrilled to meet all of the new Defence families this year. I am available on Wednesdays and Fridays at St Michael's and on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at St John's High School. I look forward to getting to know everyone in 2024!

Julie Lawrence

Defence School Mentor