The Territory Labor Government is ensuring families and children have access to the best health and wellbeing support right across the Territory.
The official opening of the Alice Springs Town Camps Child and Family Centre was recently marked, and it is delivering a range of support services across seven Town Camp communities.
Services will include maternity support, child health, early childhood development and learning, and parenting support services that will improve the wellbeing of children and families.
The centre will service Nyewente (Trucking Yard), Yarrenyty Arltere (Larapinta Valley), Ewyenper-Atwatye (Hidden Valley), Ilperle Tyathe (Warlpiri), Anthelk-Ewlpaye (Charles Creek), Karnte and Inarlenge (Little Sisters) Town Camps.
This centre is the fifth opened since 2019, after the Territory Labor Government committed to establishing 11 more centres across the Territory.
Each Child and Family Centre is tailored to meet the individual needs and aspirations of the community, with an overall aim to support families with children to access quality, culturally responsive programs and services that are supported by local decision-making.
The Alice Springs Town Camps service is being delivered in partnership with the Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation under a five-year $2.7 million commitment from Government.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth, Lauren Moss
"The health and wellbeing of Territory children is paramount to our government.
"We are ensuring that families have access to the vital support and services they need to ensure they are raising healthy and happy children.
"Child and Family Centres are key support services that strengthen families and communities, which is why this Government is expanding the network of centres right across the Territory."
Quotes attributable to Nyewente President and Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation Board Director, Elizabeth Erlandson
"The Child and Family Community Centre at Trucking Yards provides a safe environment for young mothers to bring their children to learn and play, keeping the children connected to culture and learning healthy lifestyle choices through activities provided to them at the centre. This is an important way of re-engaging with young people and helping influence positive behaviours.
"We have five generations at Nyewente/Trucking Yards and the centre is a vital tool to keeping everyone connected and safe, through learning healthy eating, having easier access to services, increasing cultural connection through making bush medicines and tucker. The centre is helping everyone come together and discuss core issues and assisting in community-led decision making processes, making it a safe space to meet.
"They love their cooking, the centre has established a Community Garden, which aims to provide fresh herbs and various organic healthy vegetables. The children will learn cultural cooking with the guidance of their parents which will help create healthy eating choices."
Northern Territory Government
At the launch of the Alice Springs Town Camps Child and Family Centre at Nyewente Camp (L-R) Manager, Child and Family Centres, Matika Mitchell; Minister for Youth, Lauren Moss; Tangentyere Council's Jo Moloney and Patrick McDonald; Nyewente President and Tangentyere Board Director Elizabeth Erlandson; and Chief Minister and Cabinet Regional Executive Director, Brendan Blandford.
