Relationships Australia opens its doors in Katherine

After more than 25 years of operation Relationships Australia NT now has a permanent home in Katherine.

 

The charity organisation, which provides counselling and mediation services to local residents, has opened its doors on Katherine Terrace in the heart of town.

 

Relationships Australia NT Acting Chief Executive Officer Robyn Donnelly said the move reflected growth and increased demand for its services.

 

“It’s a wonderful time for the organisation, the community and our Katherine staff,” Ms Donnelly said.

 

“We’re very thankful to Sommerville and Catholic Care who have supported and shared their rooms with us over the years, until it was sustainable for us to open an office.”

 

Relationships Australia NT started offering counselling to Katherine residents in the late 1980s and extended its services to include mediation in 1990.

 

“During this time we evolved from having Darwin staff visit town to building our local team, from using hotel rooms and space at other industry providers to now having our own office.”

 

Relationships Australia NT helps up to 3500 Territorians on average annually and more than 20 per cent identify as Aboriginal.

 

Ms Donnelly said the organisation increasingly works with families and children.

 

“We provide assistance to families in various ways including strengthening relationships, mediation, counselling and support for those going through tough times,” she said.

 

Relationships Australia NT is located at Unit 5, 15 Katherine Terrace, Katherine.

 

For more information please call 1300 364 277 or visit www.nt.relationships.org.au

 

40 years of relationships success

Tomorrow Relationships Australia will celebrate 40 years in the Northern Territory.

In what started as the Marriage Guidance Council in 1973, the organisation then offered Darwin residents marriage advice and counselling services in the wake of Cyclone Tracy.

“Cyclone Tracy was difficult for Darwin couples and families and placed additional strain on the very best of relationships,” Relationships Australia NT Chief Executive Officer Marie Morrison said.

“The Marriage Guidance Council as it was known then provided one avenue to help people to navigate their way through.”  

Since then the organisation has undergone significant growth and change to be a cornerstone of help and assistance for Territorians.

Renamed in 1995, Relationships Australia NT today has a broader emphasis on helping children and families in need and working with disadvantaged people.

“We provide assistance to families in various ways including strengthening relationships, mediation, counselling and support for people going through difficult times,” Relationships Australia NT Marie Morrison said.

“We also provide specialised services such as professional development and training through formal and informal courses, partnerships and community based programs for migrants and refugees, and culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal families, delivered by Aboriginal staff members.

“Increasingly we’re also working with young people and have programs to divert them away from crime and disadvantage, through restorative justice community programs.”

To celebrate its 40th birthday, Relationships Australia NT has engaged local historian Mickey Dewar to collate a full history of the organisation’s 40 years in the NT.

Relationships Australia NT services some 3500 Territorians on average each year with more than 20 per cent who identify as Aboriginal.

The organisation has offices in Alice Springs, Katherine and Darwin, and provides services to Tennant Creek, the Tiwi Islands, Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala.

“We are proud to have contributed to a community where relationships are respectful, diversity is valued and where people have a sense of belonging and connection,” Ms Morrison said.

For more information please visit www.nt.relationships.org.au/.