Connection, courage & new beginnings

The first Cowork Coplay program delivered in the Northern Territory wrapped up on 2 December. Participants in the 8-week program celebrated and shared their experiences with stakeholders from Defence, government and the local community.  

The program delivered learning, wellbeing, self-development and connection opportunities. What did that look like in the room each week? Laughter, vulnerable sharing, small wins, big decisions and the kind of connection that shifts the way you walk into a new year.

Thanks to support from the Northern Territory Government, the program was fully subsidised for participants. 

This year’s cohort brought together spouses and partners from the Navy, Army and Air Force. Half the group had been in Darwin for less than 12 months. Cowork Coplay created a space where they could catch their breath, reconnect with themselves, and take practical steps toward work, study, and wellbeing goals.

Northern Territory Government support

Mr Clinton Howe MLA, representing the NT Minister for Veterans shared his views on the importance of supporting Defence and veteran families in the Territory.

“This investment was focused at Defence and veteran spouses. So, taking the focus off current serving members and prioritising families,” he said.

“It is incredible to see the results. We have many, many different spouses all with different career goals and different wellbeing goals. And this was an 8-week course that allowed them to focus on themselves and what they want to do next in their future. We’re incredibly proud to fund this initiative, we’re incredibly proud of the results and we thank all our serving, ex-serving and most of all I’d like to put a huge thank you to every Defence spouse and family out there.

“It’s very much a life of service for the partners and that can bring a lot of stress. It can make it very difficult for a partner to have a career and a meaningful career as well. Anything we can do to innovate that space, I think is fantastic. And it is why we’re very proud to make this investment to seek better pathways for our partners and families of a service member,” he said.

Families key to national security

Defence and veteran families, like all Australians, have a right to meaningful employment.  

According to Captain Bernadette Alexander, Commanding Officer HMAS Coonawarra, Defence and veteran families matter not just strategically, but as people with the right to meaningful work, connection, stability and opportunities of their own.

“For Navy, our ships don’t leave the wharves. Our Army doesn’t go on patrol. Our Navy, and our Air Force personnel don’t get in the air without the support and love from our spouses, families, and friends,” she said.

“That support from spouses is often not visible, but it’s always deeply valued. And so that’s why I’m very grateful to the Northern Territory Government for seeing the needs of spouses and sponsoring this program.”

“Programs like Cowork Coplay are opportunities because the key to strengthening our national security is to have a really strong resilient Defence Force and we can only get that resilience through the support and the service of families. So, I say it is really important that we get at that opportunity to provide our members and families the best career opportunities and highlight all Darwin has to offer as well.” she explained.

Personal progress and self-directed learning

Over the course of the program, participants made tangible progress on their personal and professional goals. For example, one participant completed her nursing registration, submitted a major graduate program application, and was accepted, all while managing around her serving partner’s deployment. 

Others rediscovered their sense of purpose and began exploring new pathways in education, community work, or volunteering. Many spent time reflecting on joy, identity, and what they truly want. And in the background of all of this were the friendships forming quietly, around the conversations, creative meet-ups, shared problem-solving and encouragement that became the heartbeat of the group.

Nikita, one of the participants, shared her experience and some of the tangible actions she had been able to take towards her goals during the program.

“Since joining, I revamped my CV, I’ve set up a LinkedIn profile, accessed the PEAP program and undertaken some professional coaching to identify transferable skills,” she said. 

“The program has been really refreshing. To be able to hear what different people are pursuing in their own personal lives and what they’re doing with their career has given me inspiration. I’ve found this experience overall really positive.” 

Inspiration and employment for Program Facilitator

Simone Flynn, the Program Facilitator, who recently joined Human Quotient Group, shared what the role has meant to her as a Defence spouse.

“Watching the participants grow each week and share their stories was really eye-opening and definitely made the other participants, and me, not feel so alone in this unique Defence journey.” said Simone.

“In the final week, hearing and seeing what the participants had changed in their daily lives and what they have implemented for their future really made it clear how important this program is. I am very grateful to have been on this journey with them and I am looking forward to doing it all over again next year,” she said.

The impact 

The amazing cohort of Darwin 2025 participants showed up for themselves and each other. The group grew, shared, supported and uncovered strengths. 

Participants have already shared with us reflections about the skills they’ve gained as well as the deeper sense of self-compassion and intentional choice about what genuinely matters in life. (More to come as we shared insights over coming months.) 

Program participants learned how to translate self-awareness into action, making clearer decisions and taking meaningful steps toward the future they wanted.

One of the participants, Michelle, captured this impact beautifully: “What I learned most through this program is the gentle strength of pausing, noticing my emotions, and choosing what my heart truly needed over these 8 weeks. Even in moments of uncertainty, I learned to hold myself with kindness and take small, hopeful steps. This changed not only my goals, but the way I carry myself through my life.”

Thank you and what’s next

To every participant who joined us this year: thank you for choosing to back yourself. We’re incredibly proud of what you’ve built: in your work, your wellbeing, and in each other.