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eNEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2025
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CEO Update
As the CEO of an organisation mandated to advocate for fairness, kindness and integrity, this quarter has certainly been busy! It’s been a pleasure to see our sector come together with a measured and unified voice about how to create safe and healthy communities. I praise the work of NTCOSS, AMSANT and so many local organisations and leaders for remaining focused in a fast-moving political environment.
It’s also with pleasure that I announce the release of our 2025-2027 RAP. It’s a well thought out document that ensures the responsibility of implementing and living the values of our RAP lie across the whole organisation. It also looks fantastic!
Our Youth Diversion Program has begun in Mparntwe Alice Springs. This new program aims to divert young people away from the formal criminal justice system by using early intervention and support. I look forward to providing updates on this important program as it develops.
Housing and homelessness services delivered by Anglicare NT received a welcome funding top up during Homelessness Week in August. Thanks to the 2024 funding announcement from the Northern Territory Government and the Commonwealth, we’ve been able to continue and expand our services. The most noticeable expansion has been in the areas of transitional housing and outreach support for young people.
It might feel like NAIDOC Week was a while ago now, but I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible community of Garramilla Darwin. From what I experienced, the energy and enthusiasm during NAIDOC was extremely positive and a real sign of healing and reconnection after the tough outcome of the Voice referendum. Huge thanks to everyone who played a part!
Hope you enjoy our September newsletter.
Craig Kelly,
CEO |
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Continuing our reconciliation journey
Anglicare NT proudly launched our fourth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) at a board meeting in Alice Springs on Thursday 14 August. Building on the achievements and learnings of our previous RAPs, the two-year Innovate RAP focuses on longer-term strategies, clearly defined measurable goals and enhanced accountability across the organisation.
Our RAP reflects an ongoing commitment to building and nurturing partnerships founded on trust and respect. We will deepen our understanding of, and actively value, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights. Through inclusive recruitment, professional development and clear employment pathways, we aim to improve employment outcomes and create meaningful career opportunities for First Nations peoples. We will deliver culturally safe services, while supporting the co-design of strong Aboriginal-led services across the Northern Territory.
Cross Cultural Consultants NT, an Aboriginal owned business, supported the development of the RAP, facilitating interviews and workshops with staff, Aboriginal reference groups, program participants, partners and stakeholders. Anglicare NT’s Reconciliation Committee continues to play a key role in both developing and implementing the RAP, with strong support from our board, CEO and executive team.
Our RAP artwork reflects the core themes of our RAP: truth-telling, trust and community partnership. Artist Karina Jeffrey, a proud Woolwonga and Uwanwul woman, incorporated design elements that speak to these themes and her cultural heritage. Wallaby footprints signify forward movement in building partnerships and fostering two-way communication. Large symbols depict people working together in harmony, embodying the creation of opportunities, empowerment and respectful self-determination. Smaller motifs represent collaboration between organisations, illustrating the diversity and unity of partnerships working together for a common cause.
We are excited to embed this RAP into every aspect of our work at Anglicare NT, as we strive toward our vision of an Australian society that is fair and just, based on truth-telling and genuine, meaningful relationships.
If you would like a printed copy of our RAP, email communication@anglicare-nt.org.au
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Marking 50 years of NAIDOC
This year marked a powerful milestone in our national story: 50 years of NAIDOC Week, a celebration of the enduring strength, culture and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," honoured the achievements of the past while looking toward a bright future. It recognised the strength of emerging young leaders, the vision of Indigenous communities and the powerful legacy of those who have come before.
Each year, staff at our sites across the NT come together to mark NAIDOC Week with local events, connection and reflection. This year, we were proud to support Darwin’s key NAIDOC Week events in partnership with Larrakia Nation and participate in events and marches across the NT. At our Ludmilla site, we hosted a flag raising, Welcome to Country, cultural activities and a barbecue.
As we reflect on 50 years of NAIDOC, we reaffirm our commitment to walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and to building a future grounded in truth, respect and shared pride.
Above: Staff and family celebrate NAIDOC Week at our Ludmilla site.
Below: Katherine staff join the local NAIDOC march.
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New investment strengthens homelessness response
During Homelessness Week (4-10 August), we announced the continuation and expansion of many of our housing and homelessness services, supported by a $231 million government investment to organisations across the NT.
Anglicare NT is firmly committed to ending homelessness in the Northern Territory. For decades, we have delivered a range of programs and services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including transitional accommodation, tenancy sustainability, homelessness support and early intervention services.
For individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, medium-term supported accommodation provides a safe place to stay, while wraparound supports help people build skills as they plan for their future. In a separate service, young people receive tailored support through intensive case management and life skills development, along with guidance to explore housing options and strengthen connections with family.
Safe, affordable housing is fundamental for good outcomes in mental health, education, employment and overall community wellbeing. While this funding injection is most welcome and will help support those struggling, a housing shortage sits at the heart of many social issues and is a major barrier to closing the gap.
Above: Alice Springs housing and homelessness staff. |
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Youth diversion option guides better life choices
Anglicare NT has commenced a youth diversion program in Alice Springs, offering case management support to young people aged 10 to 17. With a focus on early intervention and community-based support, the program aims to address the underlying factors influencing young people’s decision-making and empower them to make positive choices for their future.
“We are pleased to commence this important youth diversion program in Alice Springs,” said CEO Craig Kelly.
“Youth detention should be a last resort, and diversion programs that address the root causes of crime must be the priority. We need to continue to invest in early intervention and prevention to ensure that every child has the support they need to thrive.”
The program is part of the NT Government’s Youth Diversion Program, offering alternative response and formal pathway for young people who are eligible for youth diversion under Sections 39 and 64 of the Youth Justice Act 2005 (NT) (the Act).
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Tricia recognised for delivering suicide prevention workshops
Tricia Maling, Program Manager for our Top End Suicide Intervention and Awareness Training program (TESIAT), was recently acknowledged by LivingWorks for her incredible commitment and contribution to suicide prevention.
The Gold Award recognises Tricia’s delivery of 100 safeTALK three-hour workshops, equipping people to be more alert to someone thinking of suicide and better able to connect them with further help. However, the award is dated 2023 and Tricia has now delivered around 200 safeTALKs and over 100 ASIST two-day workshops!
Tricia started delivering suicide prevention workshops in 2014 and commenced coordinating the TESIAT program in 2017.
Click here to read Tricia's reflection on her work and what it means to her. |
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Workshop promotes positive talk
The way we speak matters. Words matter. This was the topic of a session held recently by Anglicare NT and the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN).
The popular session was open to people who wanted to learn how to speak about children and young people in a way that promotes understanding and compassion, and encourages everyone to think outside of negative stereotypes.
We looked at how to advocate for children and young people in different situations, like everyday conversations, being interviewed by the media or being part of an expert panel.
If you’re interested in finding out more, check out the guides on child abuse and neglect, children and young people and youth justice on the NT Prevention Alliance website. |
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Marlene retires after 17 years with Ngukurr playgroup
After 17 years supporting children and families at the Ngukurr Freshwater Playgroup, Marlene Andrews retired this year. Here she shares some of her insights garnered from the opening of the playgroup in 2009 to today.
“I’ve learned that a child is learning from when she is still in her mum’s tummy, and that playgroup is a place where you as a parent can be sitting and guiding your child for learning in the early years. You’re teaching that child something that they are going to treasure and is going to mould that child’s life.
At playgroup, Ngukurr culture is included all the time. Like in the dry we take the mums out to the bush to collect bush medicine and tucker. We boil up the medicine in big tubs, then cool it and the children jump in the water and bathe in it. It was fun, but it was also healing for kids to be bathing in bush medicine.
At times playgroup was a hard place to be in the community because there are things that happen. I tried to put that aside when I was working because I wanted to be a mother and worker. I had to think when it was really tough that it wasn’t about me, it was about my little girl who was with me the whole time. She is now 17!
For me, playgroup has changed my life to be the person I wanted to be. I am very happy with my career.”
Read the full interview with Marlene. |
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Budgeting workshop in Ramingining
Our Money Support Hub team goes the extra mile – literally – to reach remote communities across the East Arnhem region. Travelling by light aircraft and navigating rough roads, they provide practical financial advice on budgeting, loans, scams and superannuation. They also raise awareness about consumer traps and advocate for better services and fairer products, tailored to the needs of people living remote.
Fiona Carter is a financial counsellor with Anglicare NT and recently spent time working in East Arnhem. While offering money matters support in Ramingining, she ran a budgeting workshop at the Bula’bula Arts Centre.
Fiona believes that if we make learning about money engaging and fun, more people will learn the skills they need to control their finances. She uses cards from the ANZ Money Minded program to start conversations about budgeting, which she finds people engage with better than a computer spreadsheet.
“The cards have pictures of all the things that you would spend money on, like petrol, food or baby needs,” said Fiona. “We tackle the pile of all the things that need to be paid for by separating them into very important, important and not important piles. Some things will be very important for some people and not important for others. Because this session was about savings, we also added a little pot for savings. Then I encourage individuals to re-run the exercise from the beginning, creating their own money story (budget).”
For Fiona, this process reveals many things, but something that stands out for her is how different everyone’s money story is, and why budgeting is a personal thing that requires thinking and choosing. “This process isn’t about wrong or right answers, it’s more about thinking about money and where it’s going,” said Fiona.
“Money is something all of us have to deal with in our life, like it or not, but we’re not taught how to manage money early enough. Budgeting is practical, it isn’t rocket science and can be easy when you’ve been taught the skills and given some encouragement,” she said.
Above: Budgeting workshop at Bula’bula Arts Centre. Photo credit Bula'bula Arts. |
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Young people help shape headspace services
Young people shape and guide our headspace services in Darwin, Palmerston and Katherine through participation in youth advisory groups. Open to any young person passionate about mental health and wellbeing, these groups give young people a voice to influence the quality and direction of headspace services. Simultaneously, members gain valuable experience in public speaking, event and project management, media, marketing and advocacy. They lead and support local initiatives, building skills and confidence along the way.
In Darwin and Palmerston, young people have recently taken part in the Push-Up Challenge, Palmerston Youth Week activities, a fundraising night for headspace at the Deckchair Cinema (pictured above), attended the 25th anniversary of the NT Youth Round Table, and provided input into headspace written, photographic and video materials.
In Katherine, young people meet fortnightly and have been involved in reviewing materials, organising events and sitting on interview panels."I’ve formed really great friendships and learnt so much about the mental health space," said one group member.
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Help young pregnant women
Preparing to have your first child can be a daunting and isolating experience. For younger pregnant women, building skills, confidence and supportive networks is essential for navigating positively into the next phase of life.
For over 20 years, our Pandanus service has provided non-judgemental childbirth education, personal and practical support and hope. Pandanus makes an important difference for pregnant women 25 years and under – helping them and their partners transition and prepare to become parents. It offers a range of services including childbirth education, postnatal education and one-on-one support and case management.
Donate today to help pregnant young women and young parents access essential care and timely support so they can see a positive pathway forward.
Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. |
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