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CEO Update
A privilege I have as CEO is the opportunity to advocate for positive change, and recently I’ve had plenty to advocate about.
Our annual Couch Surfing races were held in April - what an amazing effort by our team. It’s a huge day that brings together young people, families, schools, community organisations and supporters on Youth Homelessness Matters Day. It is distressing that people under 25 make up 46% of all homeless people in the NT (ABS).
The 16th Anglicare Australia Rental Affordability Snapshot was released in April. It's an important piece of research that assesses private rental affordability around Australia. The snapshot is grim, demonstrating the private rental market is out of reach for low income earners.
Then came the NT Government Budget 2025-26, which favoured corrections and police. I acknowledge the government is right to address community safety concerns, they should. I’d like to look at the bigger picture however, and ask if the investment we're making is the right investment. What is it we're trying to achieve? And will this investment achieve community safety? I would argue there is plenty of room for debate.
I’ve been advocating for more focus on the causes of crime. I don’t believe prevention and intervention programs have been funded at the scale needed to impact the causes of crime. The solutions are right in front of us, and we just need the political will.
As the wise idiom goes, ‘when we invest early, we do more than support that person, we shift what's possible for generations.’
Thanks for your stories and case studies and prompts, keep them coming. It's so important that our advocacy efforts continue to be driven by community aspirations and your interactions with the people we are fortunate to work alongside.
Enjoy the latest Anglicare NT newsletter.
Craig Kelly,
CEO |
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Big Rivers regional plan
The Anglicare NT Big Rivers Regional Plan 2025-26 was launched on Friday 9 May at our Katherine office with stakeholders, community members and Anglicare NT board and staff.
Our inaugural regional plan is place-based and informed by the local community. It identifies strengths and priorities for the community and provides a road map for Anglicare NT to focus our work in the region. It is a resource for staff, managers and our leaders as we work in partnership with key stakeholders for local economic, social and community benefit.
Artwork featured throughout the plan was created at headspace Katherine with Manuel Pamkal, a local Aboriginal artist and cultural guide. Manuel mentored young men to create artworks, focusing on the importance of passing on knowledge and keeping the body and mind healthy and strong.
The plan outlines how Anglicare NT will work in partnership with the local community to progress positive outcomes.
Priorities in the plan are:
- keeping young people safe and strong
- housing
- building and sustaining the workforce
- reducing the digital divide
- increasing services for remote communities
- focusing on early intervention
- supporting Aboriginal controlled organisations
- community wellbeing
We look forward to continuing our collaborative partnerships in the region as we progress the priorities and actions of the regional plan.
Above: Pearce Ray, Manuel Pamkal and Noah Blitner with artworks created for the plan. |
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Couch surfing raises awareness of youth homelessness
On Youth Homelessness Matters Day in April, hundreds of Territorians gathered in Darwin for the annual Couch Surfing event coordinated by Anglicare NT and City of Darwin.
Over 20 teams competed in high-energy couch racing heats, while more than 30 local organisations offered information and advice in a welcoming environment. Young people travelled from as far as Nhulunbuy to take part, raise awareness of youth homelessness, have fun and connect with organisations and peers.
Artistic talents were also on display, with each team decorating their couch with artwork and important messages.
After rounds of nail biting and action-packed heats, the Neepy Boys won the final race against the team from Melaleuca Australia. The best decorated couch award went to YouthWorx NT with runners up the Y NT.
With free food and drinks, music, dancing, speeches, couch races, activities, politicians and media, the event was a huge success for everyone who attended and an important lever for awareness raising and advocacy.
Thank you to major sponsor First Nations Broadcasting and the many businesses and organisation who provided prizes, free activities and funding.
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Nhulunbuy activity centre re-opens
The Anglicare NT activity centre in Nhulunbuy has been given a face lift and it was re-opened to the community with a healing and cleansing ceremony led by the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation.
Traditional Owner and Ceremony Leader Witiyana Marika spoke about the work Anglicare NT does in community and how important it is to work together. Anglicare NT CEO Craig Kelly thanked Witiyana and the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation for a meaningful ceremony and giving us the honour of working on their land.
“It is important to us that when people come to Anglicare NT they can relax and engage in the activity they are there for in a comfortable way," said East Arnhem Regional Operations Manager Heidi McDermott.
"We want the space to reflect the diversity, creativity, and spirit of the community. We’re excited about bringing more local art onto these walls, it’s one of the many ways we can celebrate culture and connection,” Heidi said.
Above l-r: Wuyula Marika, Witiyana Marika, Craig Kelly and DJ Marika.
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Working together in the Barkly
Anglicare NT CEO Craig Kelly and Executive Manager Tara Townsend spent a week in Tennant Creek earlier this year strengthening partnerships and exploring opportunities to enhance service delivery in the region.
During their visit, the Barkly Regional Deal Governance Table endorsed a memorandum of understanding for Anglicare NT to auspice the Barkly Regional Deal Backbone Team. Under the arrangement, Anglicare NT will provide formal operational support, while our Partnership Support Service will continue to walk alongside the backbone team offering guidance and support.
“This is a great example of working in partnership to strengthen local leadership and drive place-based change. We are looking forward to continuing this important collaboration across the Barkly region,” said Tara.
The Barkly Regional Deal was initiated in 2019 through community action to address long-standing inequities and related economic and social issues in Barkly communities. Now in its sixth year of operation, the deal is a ten-year commitment to 28 initiatives to be delivered in the Barkly. It is also a commitment by government partners to a new way of working with the community, based on a shared vision and agreed priorities and principles.
Above: Craig (left) and Tara (third from left) meet with members of the Barkly Regional Deal Governance Table. |
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Multicultural walking group
Our multicultural walking group is in full swing, with record numbers of locals and newcomers to Darwin joining in friendly walks around Casuarina.
The group meet every Wednesday at STEPS Casuarina, 13-17 Scaturchio Street at 8am for a free breakfast before taking a short walk together from 8.30am.
If you’d like to join our Refugee and Migrant Settlement Service and the multicultural community for social walks, contact ramss@anglicare-nt.org.au
The group is especially looking forward to their walk during Refugee Week (Wednesday 18 June), and welcome everyone to take part. |
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Home Stretch: supporting young people in care
Thanks to past advocacy by the national Home Stretch campaign, states and territories increased the age of support for young people in care from age 18 up to 21 and beyond. However, care leavers continue to experience poor life outcomes on all measures compared to their peers and the Home Stretch campaign continues to advocate for people in care.
CEO Craig Kelly and Directors Jem Wood and Sally Weir attended the biannual Home Stretch Symposium in Melbourne in May. It included presentations and discussions from young people and key stakeholders focusing on the additional supports needed for young people to successfully transition from care to independence.
Anglicare NT has reestablished the NT Home Stretch Committee comprising of government, Out of Home Care providers and Aboriginal controlled organisations. We will continue to work in partnership to improve accessibility and service responses for young care leavers. |
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Annual rental snapshot paints a grim picture
Each year Anglicare Australia releases the Rental Affordability Snapshot; a national analysis of how affordable rent is for low incomes households.
Given what we know about housing affordability, it isn’t surprising the snapshot was grim. In fact, Executive Director of Anglicare Australia Kasy Chambers said “Australia’s housing crises is the worst it’s ever been”.
The NT data showed 370 private rentals available, with only a fraction of those affordable for low income households:
- 3 rentals (0.8%) were affordable for households on income support
- 29 rentals (7.8%) were affordable for households on a full-time minimum wage
CEO Craig Kelly said the lack of affordable housing is deeply concerning and a key contributor to worsening social issues across the Northern Territory.
“High crime, poor mental health, school truancy, domestic violence, unemployment and poor physical health are well known examples of the ill effects of unstable and unsafe living,” said Craig. “We need more affordable housing in the NT as well as support for people to find and keep homes.”
Anglicare NT provides services that support people to find temporary accommodation, keep their homes, and offers early intervention to prevent homelessness.
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Chloe and Stephanie celebrate 20 years
Chloe Yiannitsaros and Stephanie Bradley began working at Anglicare NT in 2005 – 20 long years ago! Over that time, the pair have shared a fabulous friendship - Stephanie is like a daughter to Chloe, and Chloe is like a young mum to Steph. In fact, Chloe is like a mum to all her colleagues, regularly bringing in delicious treats like baklava, vanilla slice and spanakopita.
Chloe explains that back in 2005 there were about four staff in the Darwin aged care team, supporting around 17 older people. There were no laptops, only one shared computer for the team and aged care rosters were written on a white board – pretty easy to manage, all you need is a pen and eraser!
“It’s like a second home for me here,” said Chloe. “I never feel like I don’t want to go to work. Our staff are amazing, we are a great team and we support each other. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
Over the years, Stephanie has worked in reception, finance, youth support and provided executive support for three CEOs. Another role incorporated IT, administration support, fleet and facilities, insurance and WHS!
“It’s the work we do for others and working with people like Chloe that has kept me at Anglicare NT for so long,” said Stephanie.
Congratulations and thank you Steph and Chloe.
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headspace experts say "visit early when everyday stress gets too much"
Mental health issues across the NT occur at nearly double the national rate, highlighting the urgency to provide services and supports. In a recent ABC radio interview, Dr Tamoor Mirza (above right), Clinical Director at headspace and Merryn Hughes (above left), Clinical Operations Manager, spoke about why early intervention and better access to services is required to support young people with their mental health needs.
Dr Tamoor explained that young people visit headspace for a lot of reasons, but many experience everyday stress related to peers and school. “If we do not intervene early, this can easily turn into depression, anxiety, or even more serious disorders. Most of the major mental illnesses that grown-ups face started during teenage years,” said Tamoor.
Merryn adds that headspace supports people from 12 through 25 to help them navigate the transition to adulthood, since these years can set the course for one’s future mental wellbeing.
“We like to think of our services as having ‘no wrong door,’” she said. Still, she admits it can be tough to link families to the right resources. “At times that can be a challenge for us in the industry, I can only imagine how difficult it can be for families who aren’t familiar with the system.”
Tamoor points out that psychotic disorders often begin between 14 and 21 and can be triggered by factors like substance use or a family history of mental illness. When combined with social and economic disadvantages, these risks only intensify.
Not getting help when it’s needed “can have a very negative effect on their development,” he said. headspace offers a specialised psychosis program that is free and easily accessible, but access remains limited to central areas. Young people in remote parts of the NT often miss out on this kind of tailored support.
Tamoor believes we need to expand these services beyond the 12–25 age range. This includes investing in school-based awareness, training teachers to spot early warning signs, and creating more local hubs so that every young person feels there is truly “no wrong door” to get the help they need.
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Deadly vision checks
Eye check day! Deadly Vision Centre spent a morning at our Garaworra accommodation complex, bringing deadly eye checks direct to residents.
People got new glasses, replacement glasses and some were referred for cataract checks. See you next year, deadly eye mob!
Above left: Shaun Tatipata is the founding director of Deadly Vision Centre.
Above right: Mark Yunupingu tries out his new glasses. |
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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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Push-ups raise funds for headspace
headspace Dawin and headspace Katherine are taking part in The Push-Up Challenge from 4 to 26 June.
They are taking on 3,214 push-ups over 23 days, representing the 3,214 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2023.
Many local organisations and individuals are joining them to get fit while raising funds and awareness of mental health.
Donate here: headspace Darwin or headspace Katherine |
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