Moving stories on military families research journey
CQUniversity military families sociologist Dr Amy Johnson knows unique challenges of relocating for defence work – and she’s hoping her work on a research-informed children’s book will help thousands of families facing yet another move.
The Rockhampton-based academic is a military public affairs officer, is married to a Royal Australian Navy veteran, and is an author of the new storybook We’re Moving Again: Caleb’s and Grandpa’s Story.
Dr Johnson collaborated with UNE academic Dr Marg Rogers and a cross-disciplinary, multi-institutional team to write the book and develop a set of accompanying resources, based on experiences shared by military families and children.
She said the book, available for free and online, is particularly timely as the school year ends.
“Summer holidays bring mixed emotions for many defence and first responder families, as they say goodbye to friends and familiar classrooms, and face starting over with a new posting – and for many kids, it might be for the third or fourth time before they’ve even turned eight!” Dr Johnson said.
“Research shows us this cohort of children are really vulnerable to educational and mental health challenges, especially in the first year after relocation.
“With the recent Royal Commission highlighting how repeated relocations strain family wellbeing, supporting children through these moves isn't just about easing transitions – it's about safeguarding their long-term wellbeing.”
We’re Moving Again: Caleb’s and Grandpa’s Story is told through the eyes of Caleb, whose father is a police officer, and his father’s partner is in the Navy.
Caleb learns ways to cope with relocations by trying out practical strategies his grandfather suggests, and Dr Johnson said the story aims to normalise discussing the experience.
“We did four interstate moves in eight years – which is honestly low by military family standards – and made sure our kids felt they could talk openly about the upheaval and stress,” she said.
The project also conducted an online survey, which found that 61 per cent of parents in defence families don’t feel confident in supporting their children with the stresses of service life.
Families can download the free e-book here, and access information modules about family relocation for parents, educators and support workers.
Dr Johnson recently received a CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Researcher (Early Career), recognising her life-changing work to understand and improve support and wellbeing for military families.
The Senior Lecturer in Strategic Communication is also CQUniversity’s Head of Course - Arts and Professional Communication.
Learn more about CQUniversity's diverse and flexible Arts courses via the Study Arts website.
