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.
