Showcasing experiences of the Defence community

Welcome to our blog series: Their Stories. We explore what meaningful work and Defence service means to the lives of partners.

When Rebecca (Bec) Mangano joined Cowork Coplay Perth in 2024, she was already juggling a demanding academic workload, family commitments, and the realities of Defence life. Having worked for over a decade in government, first as a public servant and later as an Advisor to MPs and Ministers, Bec was no stranger to long hours, high responsibility, and complex environments. But when the travel and intensity of that work no longer fit with her husband’s Navy career, she made the bold decision to retrain and pursue a long-held interest in architecture.

It was a leap into the unknown, but one that has paid off in exciting ways.

Now in the final year of her Bachelor of Architecture at Curtin University and preparing to start her Master’s in 2026, Bec is on track to become a registered architect. She’s thriving academically and professionally, with clear goals and impressive milestones along the way.

Bec Mangano, partner of a Defence member, shares her story

Can you please share what you have achieved or experienced since completing the Cowork Coplay program and meeting other people in the Defence/veteran community?

“I am proud to have already made a few big achievements since completing the Cowork Coplay program. These include:

• Taking out second place in the Australian Institute of Architect’s annual student competition, SONA Superstudio.
• Undertaking a workplace immersion at Hassell, a large international architecture firm, in 2024.
• Letters of Commendation from the Dean of Design and the Built Environment.

Cowork Coplay also gave me the confidence to put myself out there much more. I have attended more networking events, joined student groups and engaged more with the industry using the skills I gained during the program.”

Can you describe some of the benefits you and your family gained from you participating in the Cowork Coplay program?

“During Cowork Coplay I used my time to apply for a few academic scholarships. I was awarded a $20,000 scholarship for women studying in construction-related fields. Additionally, I also secured my work placement at Hassell after finishing the Cowork Coplay program. This gave me and my family a real boost.

The program also showed me that I could pursue my career aspirations alongside my husband’s, which means we can see a pathway for both of us to stay a Navy family longer, rather than posting out in a few years, as we originally thought.”

What are your career or personal goals at the moment?

“I look forward to finishing my degree at the end of this year and have set myself a goal to graduate with Distinction (a course-weighted average of 80 or above). I study online, so I continue to challenge myself to attend more in-person events and build my network of peers and professionals in the Perth architecture community.”

If you could snap your fingers and make one thing real for Defence/veteran partners like you, what would it be?

“As a career-focused defence partner, I often felt a profound sense of isolation. Many of my friends who are partners of Navy personnel have had to make significant professional sacrifices to support their partner’s career and weren’t always able to relate to the balancing act I was performing – managing work while also dealing with deployments, postings and the uncertainty of life in the Navy. Although there is a significant amount of support available for parents within the Navy, there is a glaring lack of structured assistance for partners who are trying to balance their own professional aspirations alongside their partner’s military career.

I’d love to see the ADF establish a dedicated professional network specifically for defence partners. This network could provide invaluable resources, mentoring, and connections to help partners thrive in their careers despite their challenges. I found these aspects of Cowork Coplay incredibly helpful, and I think that model—if made ongoing—could be incredibly beneficial to those of us trying to navigate the complexities of supporting a military career while maintaining our own professional growth. A structured, supportive network would give partners the tools to develop their careers and create a stronger, more connected community within the ADF.”

Long-lasting impact from program

Bec’s story highlights how deeply Cowork Coplay can influence the lives of Defence and veteran partners. Like many spouses, Bec faced the challenges that come with frequent times apart, disrupted careers, and the ongoing juggle of family responsibilities. Through the program, she found not only practical career support but also a renewed sense of confidence and community.

Cowork Coplay is designed with Defence families in mind, offering a unique combination of career development opportunities, childcare, and peer connection. These elements come together to create an environment where participants can focus on their goals, build resilience, and explore new possibilities for work, study, or personal growth.

The program has already supported families in Adelaide, South Australia (2023, 2024 & 2025) and Perth, Western Australia (2024) and Darwin, Northern Territory in 2025.

Read more about the Perth 2024 program.

On our YouTube channel, Bec shares more about how through her experience with Cowork Coplay, she discovered that a fulfilling, long-term career is possible while embracing Navy life.

Thank you, Bec, for sharing your story with us. We wish you all the best in your new adventures.

Should you wish to connect with Bec, click to find her on LinkedIn.