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More bucks banked for Keeping Watch

Deputy Chief of Staff of Navy Headquarters, Captain Charlie Stephenson (front) and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan (rear), man the tools on the BBQ to raise funds for Navy's Keeping Watch charity fund

Members serving at Navy Headquarters have dug deep for a worthy cause, raising more than $1,000 for the sailor support charity Keeping Watch.

Deputy Chief of Staff of Navy Headquarters, Captain Charlie Stephenson, said a sausage sizzle held in Canberra on 8 March provided the ideal opportunity to raise money for the worthy cause.

"Our event was timed to coincide with International Women's Day," Captain Stephenson said. "We asked guests for a gold coin donation and I was particularly pleased with how our people contributed on the day," he said.

Keeping Watch provides assistance to serving members of the Royal Australian Navy and their families who are suffering adverstity, normally through non-refundable grants. Financial assistance may be used to alleviate hardship after a crisis such as a house fire, an unexpected death or a serious illness, or provide for medical support or child care costs during an unexpected family emergency.

Coordinated by the RAN Relief Trust Fund, Keeping Watch is run by Navy people for Navy people.

The funds donated by staff at Russell Offices was made up almost entirely of $1 and $2 coins. "It took a little time, but no one was complaining!" said Commander Christina Ween, a Trustee of the RAN Relief Trust Fund and Deputy Chair of Keeping Watch.

"In the end, the final tally came in at $1,028.70 - and ever dollar will be put to good use, helping our people and their families," she said.

Since Keeping Watch began in 2013, almost $200,000 has been used to grant Navy people some form of financial help. For more information about the activities of Keeping Watch, or to make a tax deductible donation, please visit our donations page

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WHAT DO OUR NAVY FAMILIES SAY?

  • M Bult - HMAS Hobart

    When there was an unfortunate circumstance that resulted in financial hardship for a family member, Keeping Watch was eager to help out as much as possible. My divisional staff were more than accommodating to ensure that I understood the process, and between them and the Keeping Watch team I was constantly reassured that the help my family desperately needed at the time was being organised. Keeping Watch is the light at the end of the tunnel, you just need to reach out and ask for the help.
  • D Smith - Canberra

    I cannot thank Keeping Watch for helping us in our time of need. We were struggling with living expenses after a death in the family and I found out about Keeping Watch. I'm so glad I conatcted them to see how they could help. They were amazing throughout and the money could not have come at a better time. We are now moving forward positively and looking to the future. Thank you so much.
  • R James - Canberra

    I would highly recommend Keeping Watch if you need financial help and are a Navy family. We experienced an unexpected family crisis and we were struggling to meet daily living expenses and child care costs. Keeping Watch helped us through this difficult situation with a grant and offered some very valuable advise on how to deal with the loss. If you need help, contact Keeping Watch.