Shoalhaven Defence Families Association Inc - Kookaburra Retreat

26/10/2026

🎄 Hello, November!

November is shaping up to be a fun and festive month at Kooka as we begin getting ready for Christmas! From our upcoming Christmas craft sessions to another fun-filled First Friday Club (newly renamed to Kooka After Dark), there will be plenty of opportunities to get together, get creative and enjoy some time with friends.

📸 Family Photo Sessions are still available! Saturday 7th November. If you haven’t booked your family session yet, there are still opportunities to capture some special family memories.

We'll also be looking ahead to our Christmas Carols on the Oval on Friday 4th December, in collaboration with the HMAS Albatross Junior Sailors Mess. With the Australian Navy Band, an ice cream truck, coffee van and Christmas raffle planned, it's set to be a wonderful afternoon for our Defence families and the wider community. 🎶🎅

Thank you for continuing to be part of the SDFA and Kookaburra Retreat community. Whether you join us regularly or come along to a special event, we're always happy to see you!

Here's to a fabulous November filled with friendship, fun and a little Christmas magic. ❤️💚

As always, our programs are about connection, friendship, support and community. Whether you’re a regular at Kooka or haven’t been along for a while, there’s plenty happening and we’d love to see you.

💚 Come along, bring a friend and be part of the Kooka community!

Weekly Programs

☕ Cuppa and Chat – Thursdays and Fridays - 9.30am - 2.30pm – Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at Kooka. Creche available 9.30am – 1.30pm.

🤫 Quiet at Kooka – Mondays 9.30am – 2.30pm – Perfect for those wanting to work or study.
💪 Fitness Sessions – Fridays 9.30am – 10.30am $5 - Join Kelsey from OBOL Fitness for a fun and welcoming fitness class at Kookaburra Retreat. Suitable for all fitness levels, with no experience necessary.

👶 Playgroup – Tuesdays - 9.30am – 11.30am Click Here for Facebook group. Kookaburra Retreat Playgroup is held at Kookaburra Retreat, Nowra Hill, and provides a welcoming space for children and their parents or carers to connect, play and learn together.

Kooka Kids Creche – Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.30am – 1.30pm – Our fabulous Nannies will look after your little ones so you can enjoy our programs and activities. $30 for one child. $35 for 2 children.

Monthly Programs and Extras

Kooka After Dark (previously called First Friday Club) – Granny Bingo - Friday 6th - 6.30pm $5 – We’re getting our granny on! 😂💐 Dust off your cardigans, grab your reading glasses and get ready for a night of laughs, bingo and a little bit of friendly competition at Kooka! 🩷 👵Think pearls, curlers, comfy cardigans and your best granny vibes! 🎱Bingo, banter and plenty of laughs 🎁Prizes up for grabs ☕A relaxed night of fun and friendship. Whether you're a sweet little grandma or a mischievous old duck, this is one night you won't want to miss! 🤣

📸 Family Photos at Kooka Saturday 7th November. If you haven’t booked your family session yet, there are still opportunities to capture some special family memories.

Lunch and Laughs – Thursday 12th 10.30am – Join us for a relaxed and social morning as we make and share lunch together – a great chance to connect, chat and enjoy a few laughs. Everything is supplied. RSVP essential.

Christmas Craft at Kooka – Thursday 12th and 26th and Friday 26th and 27th 9.30am-2.30pm $5 – Bring along your current craft project—knitting, crochet, embroidery, scrapbooking, diamond art, colouring, card making, sewing, or whatever you're working on—and enjoy a welcoming space to create alongside others. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just looking for some creative time out, we'd love to have you join us. Just turn up.

Saturday Night Craft Group - Saturday 14th 6.30pm – Looking for a relaxed environment to catch up on a craft project? Do a craft you have missed from our weekday sessions? Bring along your projects or raid our stash of supplies. If you don't feel like crafting, you are still welcome to come and hang out. Just turn up.

SDFA General Meeting – Friday 27th 10.30am – Members and interested community members are warmly invited to attend our General Meeting to hear updates, share ideas, and help shape the future of Kooka.

Coming up in Dec

· Christmas Carols on the Oval - Friday 4th Dec
Get ready to kick off the festive season with us at our Christmas Carols on the Oval, proudly brought to you in collaboration with the HMAS Albatross Junior Sailors Mess! ⚓❤️💚

📅Friday 4th December 2026
⏰4:00pm – 6:00pm
📍On the Oval at Kookaburra Retreat

Bring the family, grab a picnic blanket and join us for a magical afternoon of Christmas cheer! 🎄✨

🎺Live music from the Australian Navy Band
🍦Ice cream truck
☕Coffee van
🎁Christmas raffle with prizes to be won!
🎶Christmas carols and festive fun
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦A wonderful afternoon bringing our Defence families and local community together

And that's just the beginning! 👀🎄We're working behind the scenes to bring you even more Christmas magic, with further details to come!

So mark your calendars, spread the word and get ready to celebrate Christmas with us at Kooka! ❤️💚

Creche Service Available:

Monday, Thursday and Friday.
Times: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
$30 for one child. $35 for 2 children.
CONTACT & CONNECT

Follow us on Facebook and Insta for updates and event announcements
Located in the Pavilion next to the FAA Museum just outside of HMAS Albatross. 489A Albatross Rd Nowra Hill NSW 2540
QUICK REMINDERS

Drop-in Welcome: Forgot to RSVP or decided to come on a whim? Not a problem. We welcome drop-ins
Community Support: We're here to help you connect and settle into the Shoalhaven community
Flexible Participation: Join us when you can - we understand military life can be unpredictable
We look forward to seeing you! Whether you're new to the area or a long-time member, there's always a warm welcome waiting for you at Kookaburra Retreat.

Supporting Defence Families in the Shoalhaven Community

Programs receive Defence Community Grant funding from Defence Member and Family Support, a branch of the Commonwealth Department of Defence

19/10/2026

💛 What a wonderful day at the Shoalhaven Veteran and Families Hub Veteran and Families Expo yesterday! 💛

It was lovely to be part of such a fantastic event, connecting with other organisations, meeting families and sharing a little about what we do at Shoalhaven Defence Families Association and Kookaburra Retreat. 🦘

A big thank you to the Shoalhaven Veteran and Families Hub for organising the expo and bringing our veteran and defence family community together. ❤️

🎨 COLOURING COMPETITION WINNER! 🎉

We’re excited to announce that our colouring competition winner is Jace, aged 8! 🖍️🏆

Congratulations, Jace! We hope you enjoy your prize! 🎁

Thank you to everyone who entered and shared their creativity with us. We loved seeing all your wonderful artwork! 🌈

🎉 MINI RAFFLE TIME! 🎉
For just $2 per ticket, you could win a MYSTERY BAG OF GOODIES worth $100! 🎁🤩
What’s inside? That’s the mystery! 👀✨
💰 Tickets: $2 each
🎁 Prize: Mystery bag valued at $100

The more tickets you grab, the more chances you have to win! 🍀

We’re so grateful to be part of such a supportive community and look forward to seeing you all at Kooka soon!

13/10/2026

🎄🏠 **BUILD YOUR OWN GINGERBREAD HOUSE THIS CHRISTMAS!** 🏠🎄

Looking for a fun Christmas activity for the family? ❤️

The **Shoalhaven Defence Families Association** is selling Gingerbread House Kits to help raise funds for our programs and activities at **Kookaburra Retreat**.

Get the family together, put on some Christmas music and create your very own gingerbread house! 🎅🎄

# # # 🏠 Gingerbread House Kit – $45
https://square.link/u/W0XETY3W

# # # 🏠🍬 Gingerbread House Kit + Lolly Bag – $61
https://square.link/u/cjisvuzR
Want some extra Christmas treats to decorate your house? Choose the kit with a lolly bag.

# # # 🍬 Additional Lolly Bag – $17
https://square.link/u/5DpvFHO6
Want an extra bag of lollies? You can order additional bags here:

🌾 **GLUTEN-FREE OPTION AVAILABLE**same $45 price**.
If you require a gluten-free kit, please let us know when placing your order so we can make sure the correct kit is provided.

📅 **ORDERS CLOSE: Monday 16 November 2026**

📦 **COLLECTION: From Kookaburra Retreat from Monday 30 November 2026**

🎁 **Kits are limited, so don't miss out!**

Every purchase helps support the **Shoalhaven Defence Families Association** and the programs, activities and services we provide for defence and civilian families in our community.

Thank you for supporting SDFA and helping us spread a little Christmas cheer! ❤️🎄

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24/09/2026

OCTOBER AT KOOKA

October is shaping up to be another wonderful month at Kookaburra Retreat, with plenty happening across our programs and the wider Defence and local community.

💚 A big thank you to everyone who took part in our Thrive program! It has been wonderful to see people come together, make connections and support each other. We’ve loved being part of the journey and seeing the positive response to the program. Thanks again to RSL NSW and Thrive Ability.

📸 Family Photo Session spots are still available! Saturday 7th November. If you haven’t booked your session yet, there are still opportunities to capture some special family memories. https://flowcreativephotography.pixieset.com/booking/family-photos-at-kooka

🤝 Shoalhaven Veteran and Families Hub ‘Veteran and Family Expo’ – we’ll also be heading along from 10am–2pm to connect with other local organisations, families and the wider veteran and Defence community. Come and say hello to the Kooka team!

🏫 School holidays at Kooka! We’ll be continuing our regular programs throughout the first two weeks of October, so there’s no need to wait until school goes back to stay connected.

As always, our programs are about connection, friendship, support and community. Whether you’re a regular at Kooka or haven’t been along for a while, there’s plenty happening and we’d love to see you.

💚 Come along, bring a friend and be part of the Kooka community!

Head to our page for more information on each event. https://www.facebook.com/ShoalhavenDefenceFamilies/events

Weekly Programs

Cuppa and Chat – Thursdays and Fridays - 9.30am - 2.30pm – Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at Kooka. Creche available 9.30am – 1.30pm.

Quiet at Kooka – Mondays 9.30am – 2.30pm – Perfect for those wanting to work or study.

Fitness Sessions – Fridays 9.30am – 10.30am $5 - Join Kelsey from OBOL Fitness for a fun and welcoming fitness class at Kookaburra Retreat. Suitable for all fitness levels, with no experience necessary.

Playgroup – Tuesdays - 9.30am – 11.30am Click Here for Facebook group. Kookaburra Retreat Playgroup is held at Kookaburra Retreat, Nowra Hill, and provides a welcoming space for children and their parents or carers to connect, play and learn together.

Kooka Kids Creche – Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.30am – 1.30pm – Our fabulous Nannies will look after your little ones so you can enjoy our programs and activities. $30 for one child. $35 for 2 children.

Monthly Programs and Extras

First Friday Club – Halloween (Adults Only) - Friday 2nd - 6.30pm $5 – Get ready for a spooky night at Kooka! 🕷️ 🎃 Halloween trivia 👻 Fun games & challenges 🕷️ Costume fun – come dressed up if you dare! 🍬 Spooky treats 😂 Plenty of laughs …and a few surprises! Whether you go all-out creepy, funny, fabulous or just throw on some cat ears at the last minute – we want you there! 😜

Family Picnic Adventure – Greenwell Point Foreshore Reserve – Saturday 10th Oct 10am - 1pm - Get your family or team together and join us for a morning of fun, adventure and family time! 🏃‍♀️🧩 Register here https://FamilyPicnicAdventure.eventbrite.com.au

Exclusively for Tingira, Kids Crew, Kangaroo Cottage and SDFA families, we're heading to Greenwell Point Foreshore for a fun-filled Family Picnic Adventure!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families and teams will make their way along a scenic walk, stopping along the way to complete a series of trivia questions.

🎉 Complete the adventure and you'll receive a ticket into our raffle, with a prize up for grabs!

After the adventure, everyone is invited to relax, enjoy the beautiful foreshore and join us for a family picnic. 🧺🌳

✨ Suitable for all ages and abilities – pram and wheelchair friendly
🎟️ Limited tickets available – book early to avoid missing out!

Lunch and Laughs – Thursday 15th 10.30am – Join us for a relaxed and social morning as we make and share lunch together – a great chance to connect, chat and enjoy a few laughs. Everything is supplied. RSVP essential.

Thrive Program Celebration Day – Friday 16th 10.30am – We’ll come together to celebrate the success of the Thrive program, the connections made, and the wonderful participation of everyone who joined us.

Saturday Night Craft Group - Saturday 17th 6.30pm – Looking for a relaxed environment to catch up on a craft project? Do a craft you have missed from our weekday sessions? Bring along your projects or raid our stash of supplies. If you don't feel like crafting, you are still welcome to come and hang out. Just turn up.

BYO Crafternoon at Kooka – Thursday 22nd 9.30am-2.30pm – Bring along your current craft project—knitting, crochet, embroidery, scrapbooking, diamond art, colouring, card making, sewing, or whatever you're working on—and enjoy a welcoming space to create alongside others. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just looking for some creative time out, we'd love to have you join us. Just turn up.

Cuppa Time for Dementia – Friday 23rd 10am – Gold Coin entry Join us as we come together for a cuppa, a chat and to support Dementia Australia. Right now in Australia, 446,500 Australians are living with dementia, with 1.7 million people involved in their care.
By sharing a cuppa, we can help raise awareness, reduce stigma and support vital services for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

Kids Halloween Disco – Friday 30th 4.30pm – Get ready for a spooktacular afternoon at Kooka! 🕷️🕸️ Bring the kids along for an afternoon of music, dancing, games, treats and Halloween fun!

Trick or Treating – The Garden Walk Worrigee - Saturday 31st Oct 4.30pm – Join us at the Garden Walk in Worrigee for Trick or Treating. All welcome.

Coming up in Nov and beyond

· FFC 6th Nov – Granny Bingo

· Family Photography Fundraiser – Saturday 7th Nov

· Christmas Carols on the Oval - Friday 4th Dec

Creche Service Available:

Monday, Thursday and Friday.
Times: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
$30 for one child. $35 for 2 children.
CONTACT & CONNECT

Website: www.sdfa.com.au
Follow us on Facebook and Insta for updates and event announcements
Located in the Pavilion next to the FAA Museum just outside of HMAS Albatross. 489A Albatross Rd Nowra Hill NSW 2540
QUICK REMINDERS

Drop-in Welcome: Forgot to RSVP or decided to come on a whim? Not a problem. We welcome drop-ins
Community Support: We're here to help you connect and settle into the Shoalhaven community
Flexible Participation: Join us when you can - we understand military life can be unpredictable
We look forward to seeing you! Whether you're new to the area or a long-time member, there's always a warm welcome waiting for you at Kookaburra Retreat.

Supporting Defence Families in the Shoalhaven Community

Programs receive Defence Community Grant funding from Defence Member and Family Support, a branch of the Commonwealth Department of Defence

Kind Regards

Maxine Starkey
Community Support Coordinator
Kookaburra Retreat Community Centre
Shoalhaven Defence Families Association (SDFA)
www.sdfa.com.au
[email protected]
Office: 02 4421 5766 Open: Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri 9am - 2:30pm
Kookaburra Retreat: 489A Albatross Rd, Nowra Hill, NSW 2540
Postal Address: PO Box 7084, Nowra Naval PO, NSW 2540
Shoalhaven Defence Families Association Inc - Kookaburra Retreat

The Shoalhaven Defence Families Association is a not for profit organisation which aims to bring fun, friendship and connection to new and existing defence families in the Shoalhaven and surrounding areas. We also offer our services to the wider civilian community. Our objectives are to reduce isolation, develop a sense of community, build confidence, self esteem and well being and provide training and learning opportunities to members.

Help support us by purchasing an Entertainment Book.
https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/280g180

30/08/2026

September at Kookaburra Retreat

Hi everyone,

Spring has arrived, and there’s plenty happening at Kookaburra Retreat this September! 🌸

We’re continuing our Thrive Program, providing a welcoming space for defence families to connect, learn, recharge and support each other, with food, support and free childminding available.

Alongside Thrive, we have our regular programs, social activities, family-friendly fun and plenty of opportunities to get involved with SDFA.

We’re also getting ready for our 2026 Annual General Meeting, with nominations now open for our Committee — so if you’ve been thinking about getting involved, we’d love to hear from you! 💙

We can’t wait to see you at Kooka - We have SOOO much happening.

To help make it easier for parents and carers to participate, Kooka Kids Crèche is available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:30am–1:30pm. Bookings are essential, and fees apply.

At Kookaburra Retreat, we're passionate about creating a safe, welcoming place where friendships flourish, confidence grows, and everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging. Whether you're a long-time member or visiting for the first time, you'll always be greeted with a friendly smile.

We look forward to sharing another month of Fun • Friendship • Connection with you. We hope to see you at Kooka soon! 💙

Head to our page for more information on each event. https://www.facebook.com/ShoalhavenDefenceFamilies/events

Weekly Programs

☕ Cuppa and Chat – Thursdays and Fridays - 9.30am - 2.30pm – Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at Kooka. Creche available 9.30am – 1.30pm.

🤫 Quiet at Kooka – Mondays 9.30am – 2.30pm – Perfect for those wanting to work or study.

💪 Fitness Sessions – Fridays 9.30am – 10.30am $5 - Join Kelsey from OBOL Fitness for a fun and welcoming fitness class at Kookaburra Retreat. Suitable for all fitness levels, with no experience necessary. Everyone welcome

👶 Playgroup – Tuesdays - 9.30am – 11.30am $3 Click Here for Facebook group. Kookaburra Retreat Playgroup is held at Kookaburra Retreat, Nowra Hill, and provides a welcoming space for children and their parents or carers to connect, play and learn together.
Kooka Kids Creche – Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.30am – 1.30pm – Our fabulous Nannies will look after your little ones so you can enjoy our programs and activities. $30 for one child. $35 for 2 children.

Monthly Programs and Extras

First Friday Club – Op Shop Swap - Friday 4th - 6.30pm $5 – Think Secret Santa… but make it fashion! 🎁👚 When you rsvp, you’ll be randomly given another person to shop for. Your mission? Head to the op shop and find an outfit for your assigned person — something they can wear on the night! Then come along, swap outfits and see what your mystery shopper has chosen for you! 👀😂 💰 $5 per person or free for First Friday Club members. Come ready to have a laugh, get creative and embrace the chaos of op-shop fashion! Will you get a hidden gem… or a fashion disaster? 😜 Book your spot and let the fun begin! 💛

Lunch and Laughs – Thursday 17th 10.30am – Join us for a relaxed and social morning as we make and share lunch together – a great chance to connect, chat and enjoy a few laughs. Everything is supplied. RSVP essential.

Saturday Night Craft Group - Saturday 19th 6.30pm – Looking for a relaxed environment to catch up on a craft project? Do a craft you have missed from our weekday sessions? Bring along your projects or raid our stash of supplies. If you don't feel like crafting, you are still welcome to come and hang out. Just turn up.

BYO Crafternoon at Kooka – Thursday 24th 9.30am-2.30pm – Bring along your current craft project—knitting, crochet, embroidery, scrapbooking, diamond art, colouring, card making, sewing, or whatever you're working on—and enjoy a welcoming space to create alongside others. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just looking for some creative time out, we'd love to have you join us. Just turn up.

Annual General Meeting – Friday 25th 10.45am - Nominations are now open for the 2026/2027 SDFA Committee, with positions available for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Fundraising Officer, Activities Officer and Social Media Officer. Being on the Committee is a great opportunity to meet people, share ideas, develop new skills and help shape the future of SDFA. You don’t need previous committee experience or lots of time for administration — Max, as Community Support Coordinator, takes care of the day-to-day administration and operational tasks, while the Committee’s role is primarily to support her through discussion, brainstorming, decision-making and helping out where and when they can. Self-nominations are welcome, so if you’ve been thinking about getting involved, we’d love you to put your hand up!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
📸 Family Photos at Kooka – 7 November
Come along for a special Family Photo Fundraiser supporting Kookaburra Retreat! 💛

For just $60 per family, you’ll receive:

✨ A family mini photo session
✨ 3 professionally edited digital images
✨ A portion of every session fee donated directly to Kookaburra Retreat

It’s a beautiful opportunity to capture some special family moments while helping raise much-needed funds for Kooka, our local not-for-profit community centre.

📅 Saturday 7 November
📍 Kookaburra Retreat
💰 $60 per family

📲 Bookings are essential – book your session via the link: Book Here

Come along, smile for the camera and support Kooka at the same time! 💛📸

Coming up in Oct and beyond

· Friday 2nd Oct – First Friday Club – Halloween

· Saturday 10th Oct - Family Picnic Adventure - Greenwell Point

· Friday 30th Oct - Kids Halloween Disco at Kooka

· Saturday 31st Oct - Trick of Treating – The Garden Walk Worrigee

· All November – Christmas Craft

· Friday 6th Nov – First Friday Club - Granny Bingo

· Saturday 7th Nov - Family Photography Fundraiser at Kooka

· Friday 4th Dec - Christmas Carols on the Oval 4pm TBC

· Family Gingerbread House making day - Dec date TBA

Creche Service Available:

Monday, Thursday and Friday.
Times: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
$30 for one child. $35 for 2 children.
CONTACT & CONNECT

Website: www.sdfa.com.au
Follow us on Facebook and Insta for updates and event announcements
Located in the Pavilion next to the FAA Museum just outside of HMAS Albatross. 489A Albatross Rd Nowra Hill NSW 2540
QUICK REMINDERS

Drop-in Welcome: Forgot to RSVP or decided to come on a whim? Not a problem. We welcome drop-ins
Community Support: We're here to help you connect and settle into the Shoalhaven community
Flexible Participation: Join us when you can - we understand military life can be unpredictable
We look forward to seeing you! Whether you're new to the area or a long-time member, there's always a warm welcome waiting for you at Kookaburra Retreat.

Supporting Defence Families in the Shoalhaven Community

Programs receive Defence Community Grant funding from Defence Member and Family Support, a branch of the Commonwealth Department of Defence

Kind Regards

Maxine Starkey
Community Support Coordinator
Kookaburra Retreat Community Centre
Shoalhaven Defence Families Association (SDFA)
www.sdfa.com.au
[email protected]
Office: 02 4421 5766 Open: Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri 9am - 2:30pm
Kookaburra Retreat: 489A Albatross Rd, Nowra Hill, NSW 2540
Postal Address: PO Box 7084, Nowra Naval PO, NSW 2540
www.facebook.com/ShoalhavenDefenceFamilies/

The Shoalhaven Defence Families Association is a not for profit organisation which aims to bring fun, friendship and connection to new and existing defence families in the Shoalhaven and surrounding areas. We also offer our services to the wider civilian community. Our objectives are to reduce isolation, develop a sense of community, build confidence, self esteem and well being and provide training and learning opportunities to members.

Help support us by purchasing an Entertainment Book.
https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/280g180

13/08/2026

🌿 2026 so far at Kookaburra Retreat

2026 has been a big year of connection, community and growth at Kookaburra Retreat.

This year we’ve continued to create a welcoming space where Defence families — and our wider community — can come together, make friends, have fun and find support.

💛 What we've been up to
• ☕ Cuppa & Chat — regular opportunities to drop in, connect and have a chat.
• 👶 Kooka Kids Creche — helping parents access activities, work, study and some much-needed time for themselves.
• 🧸 Playgroup — welcoming Defence and civilian families each week.
• 🧘 Quiet at Kooka — a dedicated space for work, study, personal time and reflection.
• 💪 Fitness at Kooka — keeping active and building connections.
• 🍽️ Lunch & Laughs — good food, good company and plenty of laughter.
• 🎨 Saturday Night Craft and creative activities — from mosaics and painting to social craft nights.
• 🎉 First Friday Club — themed social nights including, Viral Vibes, Murder Mystery Masquerade and more.
• 🚤 Kooka Cruisin' — getting families out and about with our Shoalhaven River Cruise and other adventures.
• 🚌 Christmas in July Bus Tour — a day of food, drinks, shopping and plenty of laughs.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family activities and school holiday events — Nowra pool day, Blacksmithing Forge, Easter Picnic, Anzac march and creating opportunities for families to make memories together.

🌱 Supporting wellbeing
We’ve also expanded our focus on wellbeing and family support, including programs such as Circle of Security Parenting and the new Thrive program, providing Defence families with practical support, connection, food and free childminding.

🤝 Community partnerships
A huge part of what makes Kooka special is the support around us. We’ve continued working with organisations including Defence Member and Family Support, RSL NSW, Shoalhaven Veteran and Families Hub and other local community partners.

🏡 Growing Kooka
This year has also brought plenty of change, as we adapt to the Pavilion and continue to develop Kookaburra Retreat as a place where Defence families and the wider community can feel welcome.

And behind the scenes there has been an enormous amount of work — grants, funding, events, memberships, volunteers, resources, promotion and planning — all helping us keep the doors open and the programs running.

Most importantly, 2026 has been about people.
The families who walk through our doors, the volunteers who give their time, the friendships that have formed and the little moments of connection that make Kooka what it is.

Here’s to everything we’ve achieved so far in 2026 — and everything still to come! 💛🦘

Kookaburra Retreat Coordinator Sdfa

07/08/2026

28/07/2026

August at Kookaburra Retreat

A new month brings new opportunities to connect, learn, laugh and enjoy time with our wonderful community.

August is packed with activities for all ages, from Quiet at Kooka, Fitness, and Cuppa and Chat, to our special events including the First Friday Club – Murder Mystery Masquerade, Lunch and Laughs, Crafternoon, and our Saturday Night Craft Group.

We are most excited to be running Thrive for Defence Families, a 7 week wellbeing program starting on the 14th August 11am. More info below.

To help make it easier for parents and carers to participate, Kooka Kids Crèche is available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:30am–1:30pm. Bookings are essential, and fees apply.

At Kookaburra Retreat, we're passionate about creating a safe, welcoming place where friendships flourish, confidence grows, and everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging. Whether you're a long-time member or visiting for the first time, you'll always be greeted with a friendly smile.

We look forward to sharing another month of Fun • Friendship • Connection with you. We hope to see you at Kooka soon! 💙

Head to our page for more information on each event. https://www.facebook.com/ShoalhavenDefenceFamilies/events

Weekly Programs

☕ Cuppa and Chat – Thursdays and Fridays - 9.30am - 2.30pm – Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at Kooka. Creche available 9.30am – 1.30pm.

🤫 Quiet at Kooka – Mondays 9.30am – 2.30pm – Perfect for those wanting to work or study.

💪 Fitness Sessions – Fridays 9.30am – 10.30am $5 - Join Kelsey from OBOL Fitness for a fun and welcoming fitness class at Kookaburra Retreat. Suitable for all fitness levels, with no experience necessary. Everyone welcome

👶 Playgroup – Tuesdays - 9.30am – 11.30am $3 Click Here for Facebook group. Kookaburra Retreat Playgroup is held at Kookaburra Retreat, Nowra Hill, and provides a welcoming space for children and their parents or carers to connect, play and learn together.

Kooka Kids Creche – Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.30am – 1.30pm – Our fabulous Nannies will look after your little ones so you can enjoy our programs and activities. $30 for one child. $35 for 2 children.

Monthly Programs and Extras

First Friday Club – Murder Mystery Masquerade - Friday 7th - 6.30pm $5 – First Friday Club with a Twist. You are cordially invited to "POISONED VELVET" A Murder Mystery Masquerade. Lord Dorian Blackthorn requests the honour of your presence at Blackthorn Estate (aka Kooka) for an evening of intrigue, deception and a scandalous announcement. But before Midnight strikes, a toast will turn DEADLY! Can you uncover the truth before the killer strikes again? Dress to Impress - Masquerade Masks, Black Tie, 1920s Elegance. Trust No One - Believe Nothing - Survive the Night. Food included though feel free to bring a plate. Email if you want to join in the fun.

Thrive for Defence Families – 7 week Wellbeing Program – starting Friday 14th – 11.am-1pm We're excited to be launching Thrive, for current Defence families including spouses, singles and couples, with or without kids. Thrive provides practical tools to strengthen wellbeing, resilience and confidence while creating meaningful connections with others who understand the unique experiences of Defence life. Delivered in partnership with RSL NSW and supported through funding from the Family Support Funding Program via the Department of Defence, Valued at $1,320 per participant, this evidence-based program is being offered free of charge thanks to this funding.
Got little ones? Our creche service is running for free for participants. Email to book your spot.

Lunch and Laughs – Thursday 20th 10.30am – Join us for a relaxed and social morning as we make and share lunch together – a great chance to connect, chat and enjoy a few laughs. Everything is supplied. RSVP essential.

Saturday Night Craft Group - Saturday 22nd 6.30pm – Looking for a relaxed environment to catch up on a craft project? Do a craft you have missed from our weekday sessions? Bring along your projects or raid our stash of supplies. If you don't feel like crafting, you are still welcome to come and hang out. Just turn up.

BYO Crafternoon at Kooka – Thursday 27th 9.30am-2.30pm – Bring along your current craft project—knitting, crochet, embroidery, scrapbooking, diamond art, colouring, card making, sewing, or whatever you're working on—and enjoy a welcoming space to create alongside others. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just looking for some creative time out, we'd love to have you join us. Just turn up.

Coming up in Sept and beyond

· FFC 4th Sept – Op Shop Swap

· FFC 2nd Oct – Halloween

· Family Picnic Adventure – October

· Kids Halloween Disco – Friday 30th Oct

· Trick of Treating – The Garden Walk Worrigee Saturday 31st Oct

· FFC 6th Nov – Granny Bingo

· Family Photography Fundraiser – Saturday 7th Nov

· Christmas Carols on the Oval - Friday 4th Dec

Creche Service Available:

Monday, Thursday and Friday.
Times: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
$30 for one child. $35 for 2 children.
CONTACT & CONNECT

Website: www.sdfa.com.au
Follow us on Facebook and Insta for updates and event announcements
Located in the Pavilion next to the FAA Museum just outside of HMAS Albatross. 489A Albatross Rd Nowra Hill NSW 2540
QUICK REMINDERS

Drop-in Welcome: Forgot to RSVP or decided to come on a whim? Not a problem. We welcome drop-ins
Community Support: We're here to help you connect and settle into the Shoalhaven community
Flexible Participation: Join us when you can - we understand military life can be unpredictable
We look forward to seeing you! Whether you're new to the area or a long-time member, there's always a warm welcome waiting for you at Kookaburra Retreat.

Supporting Defence Families in the Shoalhaven Community

Programs receive Defence Community Grant funding from Defence Member and Family Support, a branch of the Commonwealth Department of Defence