News & Events
International Women’s Day
This morning, we celebrated International Women’s Day with some of our staff in Darwin and Palmerston – we also had staff dialling in virtually from Katherine and Alice Springs to hear from our guest speakers. Our guest speakers were Donna Rousham, OAM – 2025 Darwin Citizen of the Year and founder of Starfish Swim group,…
Happy Lunar New Year
At Somerville, we are proud of the rich multicultural diversity among both our participants and staff. Many in our community have recently celebrated Lunar New Year, a time of joy, tradition, and community. Thank you to the Chung Wah Society Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe for their fantastic performance over the weekend at our Wagaman…
Vale patron Austin Asche AC KC
Somerville Community Services mourns the passing of the Honourable Austin Asche AC KC, our patron since 1993. His remarkable legacy continues to inspire, reflecting his lifelong commitment to justice, education, and community. We are proud to have such an extraordinary leader as part of our story at Somerville Community Services. We would also like to…
Somerville Community Services appoints Natasha Fyles as new CEO
Somerville Community Services is pleased to announce Natasha Fyles as its incoming Chief Executive Officer following a competitive and rigorous recruitment process. Natasha is a passionate advocate and supporter of ensuring people living with a disability can access the quality care they need. She has extensive experience and knowledge of the Territory’s disability sector and…
Celebrating our staff: 2024 Margaret Somerville Awards
The annual Margaret Somerville Awards were celebrated on November 8, as a chance to reflect on the great work done by the staff. These awards honour individuals whose dedication and leadership embody the values of care, service, and community. This year’s winners and runners-up from across the regions highlight what it means to lead with…
CEO Announcement
Somerville Community Services would like to advise that after 7 years of service, Lawson Broad will finish as Chief Executive Officer at the end of November. Lawson has reflected on the last few years with the following sentiments: “It has been such a huge privilege to work with the amazing people that make…
R U OK Day
Across Alice Springs, Katherine, Palmerston and Darwin – we took some time out of our day to catch up over afternoon tea and discuss R U OK? day. We had printed conversation starters, and used that as an opportunity to meet with colleagues. It was an opportunity to check in with each other, have meaningful…
Team planning day
Our Coordination of Support Team met yesterday for their annual Team Planning Day in Palmerston. Team members from Alice Springs also travelled up for the event. Somerville’s Coordination of Support Team provides services to people with disabilities and their families across the Northern Territory. The day focused on team discussions, quality improvement, and service development.…
Celebrating International Day of People with Disability
Celebrating International Day of People with Disability with Somerville Community Housing! On 3 December, we unite to recognise the International Day of People with Disability. At Somerville Community Housing, we embody “the courage to be…”— a commitment to creating supported homes that empower and celebrate the unique abilities of every individual. Home is Where Courage…
Introducing Somerville Housing
Somerville is proud to share the launch of Somerville Housing, a not-for-profit specialist housing provider in the Northern Territory. It provides Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) to people with disability and specialist housing needs. The SDA is thoughtfully designed to strike the right balance of independence, functionality and comfort. The architect designed homes are purpose built,…
Disability Sector National Day of Solidarity: Understanding the Voice
The Australian Disability Dialogue, in partnership with First Peoples Disability Network, invites everyone from across the disability sector to an online community gathering to learn more about the Voice Referendum. This is also a day to come together in solidarity with First Nations People, because as the disability community knows all too well – nothing…
Somerville Supports The Yes Campaign
Somerville are proud to support the YES campaign for constitutional recognition. Will you vote Yes to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution through a Voice? A Yes vote will add recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the principle of a Voice into our Constitution. A constitutionally protected Voice…
NAIDOC 2023: Colin’s Return to Country
To celebrate NAIDOC Week, we want to highlight a recent return to country trip undertaken by one of our Katherine-based residents. Colin is a Jawoyn man from Wugularr (Beswick) living with a disability. In his home community Colin is a much loved and respected elder, but because of his complex needs he lives in Katherine…
Old Friends Reunited
Recently, Somerville staff worked hard to reunite longtime friends Davina, Fabian, and Janice, for a holiday together in Darwin. Davina currently lives in Katherine, Janice lives in Alice Springs, and Fabian lives in Darwin. The holiday was a great chance for them to catch up and spend time together, which they all enjoyed immensely. Well…
The Courage to Be
For many years Somerville’s tagline has been ‘The Courage To Be’. Recently we decided to ask some of our staff and the people who live in our homes to finish that sentence. We are excited to share this short film which we made this year in Darwin.
