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eNEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2026
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CEO Update
This quarter, I've focused on building partnerships in service delivery and advocacy across the NT and interstate. A highlight was attending the launch of our Central Australian Regional Plan in Alice Springs, which was well received by regional leaders. The plan outlines our priorities for Central Australia over the next five years and provides a strong foundation for future collaboration and impact.
The political climate in the Territory has been intense, with Anglicare NT particularly active in advocating on child protection and gambling harm.
We provided a submission to the Every Child Matters parliamentary scrutiny committee, outlining why the proposed amendments to the Care and Protection of Children legislation were not in the best interests of children and families. Despite significant concerns raised by Aboriginal organisations and other stakeholders, the legislation passed parliament on 21 July. On the day of the vote, I attended a rally organised by NAAJA, where communities and advocates called for greater consultation and inclusion in decision-making.
Anglicare NT is supporting Independent MLA Justine Davis in raising awareness of gambling harm. Her Bill proposes to lessen the power and influence of the NT online gambling regulator, and pave the way for a national regulator. This would strengthen protections for young people, ban harmful gambling inducements, improve transparency and increase industry accountability. Nationally, East Arnhem Money Support Hub Manager Belinda Walton joined Anglicare Australia and advocates in Canberra to share firsthand accounts of the impacts of gambling.
We will continue working collaboratively to push for reforms that put the people we work with ahead of profit and power.
Thank you for your continued support.
Craig Kelly,
CEO |
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Could Youth Foyers work in the NT?
Youth Foyers are a housing model for young people that combine accommodation with life skills development, education, training and employment support.
With people under 25 accounting for 46% of those experiencing homelessness in the Northern Territory, and a significant gap in longer-term transitional and supported accommodation options, Anglicare NT and other homelessness providers agree that more sustainable housing solutions are needed for young people.
To explore whether Youth Foyers are the right approach for Darwin and Alice Springs, Anglicare NT commissioned Third Story to undertake a feasibility study. During June and July, Third Story conducted 47 consultation sessions with service providers, funders, decision-makers, people with lived experience of homelessness, sector peak bodies and homelessness experts.
The study aims to better understand the demand for, and feasibility of, Youth Foyers in the Northern Territory. We look forward to sharing the findings of this important research and hope it will help inform future investment and service development to support young people at risk of homelessness.
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Regional plan sets direction for Central Australia
Following on from our Big Rivers Regional Plan, Anglicare NT launched the Central Australian Regional Plan 2026-30 in Alice Springs on 1 July. Staff, community members and stakeholders came together to celebrate a shared vision for a stronger, more connected Central Australia.
The plan is the result of extensive consultation with community stakeholders across the region and staff. Conversations highlighted local strengths, identified emerging priorities and helped shape Anglicare NT's goals and actions for the next five years.
Our key priorities are:
- Supporting young people to thrive
- Strengthening responses to domestic, family and sexual violence
- Improving data collection and service delivery for children and families in Central Australia
Achieving these goals will require strong partnerships. We look forward to working alongside Aboriginal controlled organisations, communities and other stakeholders to create lasting positive change in the region.
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Youth and family services hub open in Palmerston
Accessible, connected support for people in Palmerston and the rural area has been strengthened with the expansion of our service delivery site, now known as the Palmerston Youth and Family Services Hub.
This expansion is an important step in improving the accessibility of our services in Palmerston, enabling staff to work closer to communities we serve. It also creates more opportunities for collaboration across programs, including homelessness support, youth services, financial counselling, mediation, counselling and support for refugees and migrants.
The new hub complements our long-standing youth office in Palmerston, with headspace Palmerston located just upstairs. The office is based at Satepak House, 11 Palmerston Circuit, Palmerston.
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Lived experience voices for the homelessness sector
Anglicare NT is proud to partner with YWCA Australia to facilitate and support the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG), bringing together people with lived experience of homelessness from across the Territory to help shape policy, programs and service responses.
The LEAG will operate Territory-wide with representation from urban, regional and remote communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Territorians and people from diverse backgrounds.
People who have experienced homelessness have vital insight into systems, services and pathways out of homelessness. By putting that lived experience in the centre of plans for improvement, LEAG will contribute to more meaningful, ongoing change across the Northern Territory’s homelessness response.
Anglicare NT CEO, Craig Kelly, said the work was a first for the sector. “By listening to people with lived experience, we can help strengthen homelessness responses and improve pathways to stable housing and support for all Territorians,” said Craig.
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Raising awareness of gambling harm
To help communities better understand the risks and impacts of online gambling, the East Arnhem Money Support Hub has been working with local partners across the region to deliver gambling harm awareness workshops.
A highlight of the project was collaborating with respected Yolŋu community members, who provided cultural guidance, interpretation and invaluable local knowledge throughout the workshops.
Money Support Hub staff travelled to Ramingining, Minjilang and Galiwin’ku, where they partnered with local Elder and ALPA Aboriginal Engagement Worker Norman Daymarringu. His leadership was instrumental in bringing community members together and helping communicate important messages about the risks of online gambling.
In Gapuwiyak and Milingimbi, staff collaborated with local Elder Ian Gumbula, who played a key role in engaging community members and ensuring workshop messages were delivered in a culturally appropriate way.
Working alongside ALPA and local communities, Anglicare NT also contributed to the development of Yaka Ding Ding, an educational animation and song in both Yolŋu Matha and English. The resource highlights the impacts that online gambling can have on individuals, families and communities.
Photo above: Money Support Hub staff Julie Bell (right) and Rachel Wolfardt with ALPA Aboriginal Engagement Worker Norman Daymarringu delivering gambling awareness workshops in Minjilang. |
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Bringing gambling advocacy to Canberra
Anglicare NT continues its campaign for stronger action on gambling harm, working alongside Anglicare Australia and faith based community services groups to take the voices of frontline services directly to parliament.
Together with UnitingCare Australia, The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society and Wesley Mission, Belinda Walton from our East Arnhem Money Support Hub joined a major parliamentary advocacy push involving meetings with MPs and senators.
Frontline workers shared what they see every day: people falling behind on rent and bills, becoming trapped in debt, and families being placed under enormous pressure because of gambling harm.
The group of advocates called for a phased ban on gambling advertising, stronger regulation of online gambling, a national regulator, better funding for support services and national action on cashless gaming.
Despite best efforts, changes to gambling advertising laws passed in Parliament were weaker than hoped. While this outcome is disappointing, the campaign is far from over and we will continue working with our partners and peek agencies to push for reforms that put people, families and communities ahead of vested interests.
Photo above: Belinda Walton (left) with Maiy Azize, Anglicare Australia. |
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Numbulwar community develops wellbeing framework
The Numbulwar community has developed the Ambalaman Map, a wellbeing framework initiated by the community, created in their own language and grounded in local stories. Ambalaman, a Wubuy word meaning "feeling good", reflects a holistic concept of wellbeing that is not easily translated into Western terms. The project was delivered through the Rivers of Wellbeing program, run by Phoenix Support and funded through our East Arnhem Communities for Children initiative.
Elizabeth and Neysa from Numbulwar attended the FRSA National Conference in Brisbane to present the project, alongside senior project officer Jeanine and Sandi from Phoenix Support. Their presentation highlighted the importance of community-led approaches, strong partnerships and culturally responsive practice.
Photo above from l-r: Elizabeth Joshua, Sandi Phoenix, Jeanine Zijerveld and Neysa Nundirribala at the FRSA conference.
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Building skills for housing success
The Moving Forward training program helps people experiencing housing insecurity build the skills and confidence needed to move towards stable housing. Topics include tenancy responsibilities, budgeting, healthy relationships, parenting, meal planning, government payments, and pathways to training and employment. Participants receive a completion certificate that can support public housing applications.
This year, all program modules were refreshed with updated resources and interactive activities that recognise participants' lived experience and local knowledge. Grounded in strengths-based and trauma-informed practice, the content draws heavily on resources developed by NT-based Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
Anglicare NT homelessness services staff from across the Territory have completed training to deliver the updated program. |
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Expanding youth mental health outreach in the Big Rivers region
headspace Katherine is one of 20 headspace centres nationwide set to receive additional ongoing funding for mental health outreach services.
In a visit to headspace Katherine in June, Emma McBride MP Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, acknowledged the critical role of outreach in delivering mental health care to young people in one of the Northern Territory’s most geographically vast and remote regions.
Outreach isn’t new for headspace Katherine, where for the past 5 years, we’ve been supporting young people in the communities of Wugularr, Barunga, Jilkminggan and Pine Creek. Until now, however, our outreach services have operated without dedicated funding.
This new funding will strengthen and expand our existing outreach model, including consistent visits to support better community engagement and mental health support.
“We’ve worked hard to create a program built on a culturally informed social and emotional wellbeing framework and strong partnerships with local schools, councils, health clinics and Traditional Owners to provide holistic support,” said Natasha Reece, Acting Clinical Operations Manager.
“With approximately 70 per cent of young people accessing the service identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, the expanded program will continue to prioritise culturally safe and community-driven approaches to care,” said Natasha.
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Choice, dignity and respect: Your rights in aged care
Older people now have stronger rights and protections following changes to Australia's aged care laws. These changes include a Statement of Rights for older people receiving aged care services, including the right to make your own decisions, be treated with dignity and respect and feel safe.
As an aged care provider, we are responsible for ensuring your rights are upheld and that you remain at the centre of your care experience. We encourage you to talk with us if you have any questions, concerns or feedback about your care or services.
We are committed to providing safe, high-quality care that reflects your needs, preferences and choices. Raising concerns directly with us is often the most effective way to resolve issues, and it is always safe to speak up.
If you would like to provide feedback, raise a concern or make a complaint, feedback forms are available at our reception areas. You can also submit feedback through our website.
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Commonwealth Home Support Program update
Good news for older people! The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will be extended to June 2029. Everyone who has a CHSP package can expect their supports to continue until June 2029.
CHSP helps older people remain living independently at home by providing support with everyday tasks such as personal care, domestic assistance, shopping and transport. Anglicare NT delivers CHSP services in Darwin, Palmerston, Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy.
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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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NAIDOC Week: Celebrating 50 Years of Deadly
We were proud to join communities across the nation in celebrating NAIDOC Week with this year’s theme, Fifty Years of Deadly. This milestone honours five decades of advocacy, resilience and achievement, celebrating the Elders who stood strong, the communities who continued to show up and the next generation carrying this legacy forward.
Staff participated in local NAIDOC events, including community celebrations, balls and marches. At our Ludmilla site, it is a tradition to come together with staff and service participants to celebrate NAIDOC Week. We were honoured to be welcomed to Country by Aunty Yvonne Odegaard, followed by a flag-raising ceremony. The day included cultural activities and close encounters with wildlife, hosted by Dingo Cockatoo.
It was a privilege to hear from Harry Munkara, a 2026 Youth Week Ambassador, passionate musician and composer. Harry shared his inspiring story of building connection, fostering inclusion and creating a sense of belonging through music and community.
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Copyright © 2026 Anglicare NT
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