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CEO Update
I’ve had many opportunities this year to advocate for issues that matter to Anglicare NT and the outcomes we are working toward across the Territory.
On Youth Homelessness Matters Day, the annual Couch Surfing event continues to shine a light on youth homelessness and call for urgent funding and reform. It reinforces that homelessness is rarely sudden; it is driven by ongoing pressures such as family conflict, violence and overcrowding. Without investment and a strong focus on prevention and early intervention, we risk entrenching homelessness for another generation.
The Rental Affordability Snapshot confirmed the severity of the NT’s housing crisis. There are no affordable rental options for people on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, the Disability Support Pension or the Age Pension, nor for single workers on minimum wage. With only 257 listings and average rents exceeding $700 per week, the Snapshot demonstrates a systemic failure requiring action across all levels of government.
While some positive measures were included in the latest NT budget, they are limited in scale and impact. Overall, the budget represents a missed opportunity to address root causes of social issues and crime. Investment continues to focus on statutory and crisis responses rather than prevention and community-led early intervention.
In April, our Board and Executive spent several days in Nhulunbuy focusing on community engagement, governance and future planning. After 11 years as a director, this was Dr Howard Bath's final board meeting. We thank him sincerely for his years of service and unwavering commitment to children and young people in the NT.
The National Reconciliation Week theme, All In, was a powerful reminder of the need for sustained, everyday commitment to reconciliation. Anglicare NT staff shared stories and attended internal activities and community events.
I hope you enjoy reading our latest news.
Regards,
Craig Kelly,
CEO |
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Midawarr Day: Community, culture and inclusivity
A cool breeze, waves lapping the shore and seabirds soaring overhead set the scene at the Gove Peninsula Surf Lifesaving Club for the 5th annual Midawarr Day – a celebration of community and diversity. This year’s theme, Yaka Sniffing – no petrol sniffing, highlighted a growing local issue while reinforcing strong, community led messages of wellbeing.
Marquees lined the space as around 30 local health, community services and Aboriginal controlled organisations shared information, activities and resources. Many attended alongside program participants, contributing to the strong community turnout.
The Rirratjingu clan gathered at the edge of the grounds to begin the Welcome to Country buŋgul. Led by Elder Witiyana Marika, Yolŋu clan members welcomed everyone through clapsticks, yidaki, song and dance. The Break’n Barrierz crew then took centre stage, bringing young and old together to learn dance moves and grooves.
Plans for another round of dancing were cut short when a storm rolled in. As the rain started, everyone packed up and ran for cover, heading home with hearts and stomachs full. Midawarr Day once again delivered a powerful celebration of community spirit, sharing and culture.
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Couch Surfing exposes hidden issue
The annual Couch Surfing event was held in Darwin on Youth Homelessness Matters Day, in partnership with the City of Darwin. The day highlights the realities faced by children and young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, while also showcasing their creativity and physical skills.
While couch races are a highlight, the event offers much more. Community organisations share practical advice and support, speakers raise awareness, and participants display their decorated couches. Attendees enjoy free food, face painting, and a range of cultural and art activities.
A special thank you to Larrakia woman Gabrial Miller for delivering the Welcome to Country, and to speakers Mr Brent Warren (Department of Children and Families), Annie Taylor (NT Shelter), Craig Kelly (Anglicare NT), Leader of the Opposition Selena Uibo, and Councillor Patrik Ralph.
Speaking at the event, CEO Craig Kelly said there are upwards of 3,000 young people every single night in the NT who face anxiety, fear and rejection by not having a stable place to call home.
“This issue is not going away until we provide alternatives to couch surfing or living in unsafe places. Children and young people leave home when they have no choice but to go. It's our job as a caring society to support them at a really difficult time in their lives," said Craig.
“We need funding at scale as a matter of urgency or we run the very real risk of another generation of people who feel like they didn't matter.”
Congratulations to Grassroots Action Palmerston for taking first place in the couch races, with Youthworx NT finishing second. The award for best decorated couch went to YouthWorX NT, with Young Mums Strong Mums as runners-up.
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More housing options for young people
Through a new partnership with Venture Housing, Anglicare NT has leased six studio apartments in Palmerston to provide safe, supported accommodation for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
This initiative offers more than just a place to stay. Our Intensive Youth Accommodation Support team will work alongside residents to build confidence and develop the skills needed to transition to independent living.
Located close to transport, services and everyday amenities, the apartments create opportunities for work and study, supporting a connected, liveable and affordable start to adulthood.
Director Youth and Family Services, Jem Wood, said the new apartments offer a safe environment for young people to begin their housing journey while building skills that support confidence, wellbeing and long-term success.
“Our case workers support young people to learn the responsibilities of tenancy, build financial capability, and develop the life skills needed to sustain housing into the future,” Jem said.
“Together, we are creating a support system that addresses not only housing needs, but also the practical and social factors that help young people thrive. As their skills and confidence grow, the program supports their transition along the housing continuum and reduces the risk of long-term homelessness.”
We look forward to welcoming young people into the apartments.
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Stephanie recognised for excellence at work, leadership in sport
Part of the Anglicare NT team in Alice Springs, Stephanie Stone supports people to apply for safe loans though the No Interest Loans Scheme (NILs). This year, Stephanie received the Excellence in NILs Client Service award at the Good Shepherd Financial Wellbeing Conference and was a finalist in the NT News Woman of the Year Awards!
NILs help people on low incomes with safe, fair and affordable credit for essential goods and services, without charging any interest or fees. Loans are in high demand, and Steph is often fully booked for appointments up to three weeks in advance.
“NILs is a great program – many of my clients can’t afford essential items like a washing machine. They find it hard to get by day-to-day, let alone on a fortnightly basis. They feel special when their loan is approved and they can shop for the item they need,” said Stephanie.
“I think my high loan approval rate is partly due to my flexibility and openness with clients. As well as appointments, I get a lot of walk-ins. People can see everything I’m entering into the application, so they understand the process. It also helps that Alice is a small place – if someone doesn’t have all their paperwork, it’s usually easy to go to the bank or a shop to get quotes. I do my best to support people to access their online banking, which can be tricky with forgotten passwords or login issues.”
After a busy day at Anglicare NT, Stephanie picks up her children and heads to the Arrernte Community Boxing Academy. Each weekday, she runs the 5.30pm exercise class for up to 25 people. For her coaching and leadership in helping to create a safe and supportive community, Stephanie was recognised as a finalist in the 2026 NT News Woman of the Year awards. |
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Jen's 'Anglicare NT angels'
Jen began receiving support from our aged and disability team in Nhulunbuy after an operation for a broken femur. She shares about the joy the ‘Anglicare NT angels’ bring her.
"I had a wonderful rehab experience in Palmerston and I came back to Nhulunbuy in a wheelchair. I was told there was no service available to do anything to help me in Nhulunbuy because it was remote and nothing existed here.
To my astonishment, miraculously, there was an aged care package that I was able to access. And so that began my relationship with Anglicare NT.
Over time I learnt to walk again, and that’s how it began. All I can say, all these years later, is I am still on the Anglicare NT books, which for me is a wonderful thing because I‘m 80 now and don’t have a vehicle I can drive here in Nhulunbuy.
A couple of times each week, the wonderful ladies, I call them my ‘Anglicare NT angels’ come to take me shopping, to the post office and wherever I want to go. If I need it, I’m also eligible for a little bit of housekeeping assistance which I do access from time to time, but not every week, just as needed to help me out with some basic things if I feel like I’m lacking energy.
Anglicare NT is the most fantastic organisation. Every person I have ever had to deal with since the time I moved here, I have only ever received wonderful care, attention, politeness and regularity. I’ve just experienced great kindness and I’ve been the very fortunate recipient of this whole organisation. I couldn’t say anything negative about the organisation.
Staff are dedicated, they work so hard and they show extraordinary kindness and efforts to understand Yolŋu life.”
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Gambling reforms don't go far enough
Australians collectively lose more than $25 billion annually on gambling – the largest per capita loss in the world. Gambling is also a growing issue for young people, with research revealing that 600,000 young people under 18 are already gambling, spending $18m annually.
On budget day, the Albanese government released its long-awaited formal response to the Peta Murphy gambling inquiry, which called for a total ban on gambling advertising in sport and the establishment of a national gambling regulator.
Anglicare NT believes the reforms announced, including cutting gambling ads from 8 to 3 an hour, do not go far enough. We join the Alliance for Gambling Reform in calling for a full ban on gambling ads, a national regulator and stronger protections from inducements.
Anglicare NT CEO, Craig Kelly spoke to ABC Radio’s Lisa Pellegrino on 14 May to highlight our concerns.
“Reform and legislation to reduce community harm should have reforms that make a difference, with things like a national regulator, banning gambling inducements, inducement advertising, stopping companies from offering free bets and promotions that trap people. We also need to ban gambling advertising on broadcasting and online platforms so that children aren’t exposed to gambling on their screens.
We hope the government doesn’t see this as a final answer. We need the federal government to implement all 31 recommendations from the Murphy Report.”
If you’d like help with gambling, please reach out to Anglicare NT. Our financial counsellors can help with things like creating budgets, managing debt, protecting family assets, organising voluntary exclusion from venues and helping to access therapeutic supports. |
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headspace Katherine: Flood update
A/Clinical Operations Manager, Natasha Reece, provides an update on the situation at headspace Katherine.
In March, Katherine and surrounding areas experienced a severe flood. headspace Katherine staff were all affected – some sustained damage to their yards and homes, others navigated working from home with children, others rolled up their sleeves and responded to call outs for sandbagging, food deliveries and locating essential items.
headspace Katherine's beautiful hub on Katherine Terrace is currently closed after being inundated with 30 centimetres of water. This has required us to get creative about providing services to young people in the region. Our friends at the local Anglicare NT office and Jawoyn Association took us in and made us feel welcome and supported while we navigate this tough time. Other consortium partners provided us check-ins, invited us to yoga mornings and gave us other practical support.
We've received ongoing support from Anglicare NT and de-briefing and training from the headspace National Clinical Practice team. We learned how individuals, services and communities can contribute to a positive response after a natural disaster and how it is important to not only support young people and their families, but to also look after ourselves.
We have been working what we call ‘business as unusual’, meaning we are doing all the same things we would have been doing from our hub, just in a different location, including incorporating more outreach visits to partners and communities.
Work has started on the hub and while we have been very grateful for the outpouring of support, our team looks forward to getting back to our hub. |
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Tricia achieves gold for suicide prevention
Tricia Maling, Program Manager of the Top End Suicide Intervention and Awareness Training program, recently received the 'Livingworks ASIST GOLD Award' at the National Suicide Prevention Conference LiFE Awards. The award recognises Tricia’s outstanding contribution to suicide prevention, specifically delivering over 100 Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) two-day workshops.
Tricia delivers suicide intervention training across the Top End. She is often flying out to communities in Arnhemland and heading down the track to Katherine and surrounding communities.
“The impact Tricia has contributed to in the suicide prevention space is outstanding and is something Anglicare NT is very proud of. This recognition is incredibly deserved and acknowledges the passion, advocacy and commitment Tricia demonstrates daily across the NT in her work to create suicide safe communities,” said Jem Wood, Director Youth and Family Services.
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Donate to support young pregnant women
The Pandanus Program supports young pregnant women and new parents (25 years and under) as they begin their parenting journey. We offer a range of services including childbirth education, postnatal education and one-on-one support and case management.
"Having the support of the Anglicare NT Pandanus Program throughout my pregnancy had an incredibly positive impact on my life. Knowing that I had someone to talk to or reach out to gave me peace of mind and helped reduce the stress that often comes with pregnancy.
The activities shared through the program were fantastic, encouraged me to get out of the house, meet new people and learn more about my pregnancy journey in a supportive environment."
Pandanus participant.
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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Private rental market fails people with lower incomes
Each year, Anglicare NT teams up with Anglicare Australia to test how affordable the private rental market is. This year’s results were particularly grim.
The NT Rental Affordability Snapshot taken on 14-15 March 2026 showed:
- Only 257 private rentals were advertised across the NT on realestate.com.au - down from 1,409 in 2019.
- 0% of listings were affordable and appropriate for: a single person on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Disability Support Pension or Age Pension, or a single person on minimum wage.
- 0% of rentals were affordable for a single parent receiving Parenting Payment/JobSeeker, or for an out-of-work couple with children.
- Just 2% of rentals were affordable and appropriate for a couple on the Age Pension (4 properties).
- Even for a couple with children where both adults work full-time on minimum wage, only 5% of listings were affordable and appropriate (13 properties).
- The average advertised rent rose to $713.10 (up from $662.50 in 2025 and $596.70 in 2023).
Safe, affordable housing is a right, not a privilege. We welcome the recent federal government announcements, including reforms to capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing arrangements.
However, much more is needed. We urgently require increased investment in social and affordable housing, alongside raising JobSeeker and other income support payments. People need to be able to meet basic living costs and have a safe place to sleep each night.
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Building the eating disorder workforce
Right Care Right Place (RCRP) is part of the Top End’s stepped system of care for eating disorders, aimed at improving access to appropriate supports by increasing the number and diversity of local clinicians able to provide evidence-based treatment. RCRP host eating disorder network meetings, organise professional development opportunities, email out a regular newsletter and have set up an online resource hub.
RCRP are currently offering a limited number of grants to support GPs, dietitians and mental health professionals in primary care to become credentialed eating disorders clinicians. If you’re working in the greater Darwin region primary care sector and are interested in becoming a credentialled eating disorder clinician, contact rcrp@anglicare-nt.org.au for more information.
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Multicultural Walking Group
The Multicultural Walking Group, led by Anglicare NT’s Refugee and Migrant Settlement Services (RAMSS) runs throughout the dry season. Delivered in partnership with the Heart Foundation and STEPS Casuarina, the program welcomes refugees, migrants and the wider Darwin community to meet, walk and build friendships.
STEPS Casuarina
13–17 Scaturchio Street
Casuarina, Darwin NT
The group meets every Wednesday morning at 8am for breakfast followed by a short walk at 8.30am. Everyone is welcome!
For more information contact ramss@anglicare-nt.org.au |
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Copyright © 2026 Anglicare NT
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