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CEO Update
My name is Craig Kelly and I am the new Anglicare NT CEO.
It is a real privilege to take up the role, and I hope to continue to build on the strong leadership and legacy left by the retiring CEO Dave Pugh. Dave has left a significant impact on this organisation and the NGO sector and has been a champion of community led action and strength-based practice.
My background is in executive roles in Victoria with the Salvation Army, and in the NT since 2016 with Save the Children. For the last four years I have been based in Tennant Creek as Regional Executive Director with the Department of Chief Minister in the Barkly Region.
My focus for the moment is on getting to know the staff here and the work they do, understanding better the lived experience of those we connect with and meeting with as many key stakeholders as possible. To that end, you are most welcome to make contact via our Winnellie office - it would be great to chat.
I have visited a number of our program sites and look forward to seeing our work in all locations as soon as possible. I was impressed with the way Simone (Regional Operations Manager) and the team at the East Arnhem Regional Office work, with more than one stakeholder describing them as “the glue that holds things together” and “the go to place.” Clearly the trust levels are high with community.
I highly recommend Anglicare NT’s 2021-22 Annual Report. While importantly is demonstrates the necessary accountability and evidence of impact, it tells a great story of resilience, partnership and values.
I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Kind regards,
Craig |
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Year in Review and Annual Report 2021-22
At this years ‘Year in Review’ event we were joined by friends, funders and supporters, stakeholders, staff and partner organisations.
Larrakia man James Parfitt gave a moving Welcome to Country and The Right Reverend Dr Greg Anderson offered a Welcome Prayer. Departing CEO Dave Pugh was guest speaker and talked of his work, the Uluru Statement and shared insights into what makes a good organisation. Chair Richard Giles launched the Annual Report 2021-22 and acknowledged the outgoing CEO’s leadership and contribution to Anglicare NT. East Arnhem Regional Operations Manager, Simone Pettiford, also gave a snapshot of our support work, services and collaborations across the East Arnhem region.
The Annual Report highlights achievements, key data and stories from our staff and the people, organisations and communities we support and work with. Over the 2021-22 year, Anglicare NT provided support and practical assistance to over 21,500 Territorians through 90 diverse services and capacity building initiatives.
View the Annual Report online or contact us at communication@anglicare-nt.org.au if you would like a hard copy posted out.
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Farewell to CEO Dave Pugh
After almost 10 years as CEO of Anglicare NT, Dave Pugh’s last day was Saturday 3 December, the final Board Meeting of 2022. Through a series of regional visits and morning teas, staff have had the opportunity to reflect, share some tears and laughter and acknowledge Dave’s contribution.
Dave has been thanked and recognised by many people for his leadership of Anglicare NT, his contributions to the community services sector and advocacy work on key areas of social justice. In particular, Dave’s commitment to justice and self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and his insights and experience in the Out-of-Home Care and child, youth and family sectors have been highlighted.
Key moments during Dave’s tenure include Anglicare NT achieving accreditation through QIC Health and Community Services Standards and the National Standards for Mental Health Services and registration as a NDIS and Community Housing Provider, and becoming a separate company while embedding connectedness to the Anglican Diocese of the NT. The scope and geographic coverage of services grew, and the Partnership Support Service was established to work collaboratively with Aboriginal Controlled Organisations wanting to grow their role in the delivery of human services. Additionally, in 2014 Anglicare NT launched its first of many Reconciliation Action Plans and in 2020 the Aboriginal Reference Group was created to provide advice to the Board.
It has been a productive 10 years under Dave’s leadership and we wish him well with his next adventure!
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 | We Grow Them Up
Building strong families and safe and friendly communities for children to grow up in was the focus of a three-day workshop held in Nhulunbuy at the end of November. Around 60 early childhood, children services and family support workers along with service providers, educators and community leaders came together for the annual East Arnhem Communities for Children ‘We Grow Them Up’ Learning Forum.
People came from Milingimbi, Gapuwiyak, Galiwin'ku, Ngukurr, Numbulwar, Laynhapuy Homelands, Groote Eylandt, Darwin and communities on the Gove Peninsula to share stories of good practice and ways to support children and families. Discussions and presentations focused on the strengths of families, key learnings from our work with children, families and communities, innovative activities and ways to hear children’s and families’ voices.
The Forum showcased partnerships and collaborations, two-way learning, language-based resources and activities which meet local needs, are culturally informed and reflect the aspirations of local communities. Services shared about nutrition, child development and family strengthening approaches, support for fathers and men, cultural activities, first-language and literacy support, play groups and early learning.
Forum participants said they met new people, gained new skills and learnt from presentations, yarning circles and informal chats during breaks. They were inspired by young women and quieter people speaking up in the safe learning space, sharing stories and presenting in first language.
“…the Forum (was) both a great learning space and a warm and safe space. I have come away with new resources, ideas and knowledge about referral pathways for the families of young people we work with.” |
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 | Donate to help young pregnant women
Preparing to have a first child can be a daunting and isolating time. For younger pregnant women, impending motherhood is a time where supportive networks are critical in reducing isolation and building the skills and confidence to navigate through the next phase of their lives.
Donate today to help pregnant young women and young parents access essential care, timely support and to see a pathway forward.
For over 20 years our Pandanus Program has provided non-judgemental childbirth education, personal and practical support and hope.
"15-year-old Lilly* contacted Anglicare NT seeking help when she found out she was pregnant. Lilly wasn’t aware of the Pandanus Program and was excited to find out there was support available during her pregnancy and after the birth of her baby. Lilly received practical support with the Royal Darwin Hospital antenatal appointments, assistance to sort out Centrelink payments, access to baby items, timely childbirth education sessions, employment options and help to develop life skills."
To support pregnant young women this Christmas, call us on 08 8985 0000 or visit our website:
anglicare-nt.org.au/donate
*name changed for confidentiality |
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Commitment to the Voice to Parliament
Support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the referendum for constitutional recognition of a ‘voice to parliament’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was affirmed by the Anglicare NT Board at a recent meeting in Alice Springs.
This commitment followed that of the Anglicare Australia network, signed at the national conference in Hobart by the Chair of Anglicare Australia, Bishop Chris Jones and Chair of the Anglicare Australia First Nations Staff Network, Ms Leonie Patterson.
The jointly signed commitment states:
The Anglicare Australia Network pledges our support to the three key elements outlined in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
We hear and support the call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution to empower First Nations peoples.
We hear and support the call for a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement making between governments.
We hear and support the call for the Makarrata Commission to oversee a process of truth telling about our history.
Anglicare NT’s own statement of commitment will be signed early in the new year.
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headspace Palmerston is now open
The new headspace service in Palmerston was officially opened on 20 October 2022. The building has undergone a complete fit-out to include a youth zone, activity room and consultation rooms. Larrakia woman Taleena Lui Villaflor and Larrakia man Trent Lee were commissioned to create beautiful feature artworks.
Development of headspace Palmerston used a codesign process, covering site design, furniture and fittings through to service delivery models. A Youth Reference Group provided valuable advice on the overall look and feel. The headspace Palmerston Implementation Committee included stakeholders, Elders and family and friends from Palmerston and rural areas. Larrakia man Uncle Tony Lee provided ongoing advice and support around how headspace Palmerston can best meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families. The result is a very welcoming youth friendly flexible space that adds a fantastic resource to the local service system.
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Learning skills to maintain a tenancy
The high rates of homelessness and a lack of affordable housing are significant challenges. Our community housing, transitional accommodation, tenancy support, housing options and pathway programs provide practical assistance and options to help people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless.
For people living in our accommodation complexes, those preparing to move into housing or where people are working hard to maintain their own home, we provide one-on-one mentoring and short courses (in groups) focused on developing tenancy, budgeting and life skills.
Families living at our Garaworra transitional accommodation (in Darwin) have onsite access to HIPPY (for pre-school aged children) along with cooking, sewing, life skills and fun events.
Vegetables are thriving and flowers are blooming in the new Community Garden at our Alice Springs housing complex. Staff and residents have combined efforts to establish garden beds, plant seeds, look after the garden and are now eating the fruits of their success, having learnt many skills along the way. Cooking with home-grown vegetables has been incorporated into regular Life Skills workshops. This adds to the sessions focused on money management, parenting, healthy relationships and ways to maintain a tenancy.
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Community Visitors Scheme
Anglicare NT coordinates the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS), a national initiative connecting volunteer visitors with older people at risk of social or cultural isolation.
If you have some free time and could visit an older person anywhere across the Northern Territory, call CVS on 08 8985 0000.
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Staff Assistance, Learning and Training Program (SALT)
Working in remote Aboriginal communities within the Northern Territory provides a meaningful opportunity to contribute to service provision, capacity building and to support self-determination and the aspirations of Aboriginal peoples. Living and working in remote locations can also provide unique challenges.
The Staff Assistance, Learning and Training (SALT) Program is for people working in regional and remote communities in the Northern Territory. SALT helps people take ‘time-out’ of busy work schedules and to reflect and learn with a professional coach. Coaching is confidential and can cover working in remote settings, communication across cultures and balancing work, life and community work worries, incidents or challenges.
Offered through Anglicare NT’s Partnership Support Service (PSS), people who work remotely can access four free 1-hour SALT sessions. For more information, email pss@anglicare-nt.org.au
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Anglicare NT offices will be closed to the public from Monday 26 December 2022
and reopen on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
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Copyright © 2022 Anglicare NT
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