News & Events
Visitors to Somerville
Staff from the NT Government Department of Housing grants management program recently visited Somerville to discuss our programs, provide service updates and tour our facilities. L-R: Alice Henderson, Karen Kinnersley, Allison O’Connor and Kerry Boswell.
Volunteers Needed
It is that time of year … looking for volunteers to help those in need… running our annual Christmas events… Gift wrapping stalls at Casuarina, Palmerston and Darwin. Accepting donations of food as well as gifts for the young and old to go to those in the community who are less fortunate.
2015 NT Disability Services Awards – A winner from Somerville
In recognition of the disability services sector, the NT Disability Services Awards 2015 were announced last week. Now in their fifth year, the Awards set out to promote the value of a career in the disability sector and celebrate the positive contributions of the Northern Territory community in creating opportunities for people with a disability.…
Workplace Diversity Lunch
Somerville Community Services embraces cultural diversity in the workplace and recently held a multicultural lunch to celebrate.
Somerville CEO announced as a finalist for the NT Australian of the Year Awards
Congratulations to Vicki O’Halloran, Somerville CEO, who has been nominated as a finalist for the Northern Territory Australian of the Year Awards. It’s fantastic to see Vicki’s inspiring work recognised! The NT Award will be announced on Wednesday 4 November at the Darwin Convention Centre. All state/territory winners become finalists for the national awards, which…
Christmas Gift Wrapping
Somerville’s major fund raising event, the annual Christmas Gift Wrapping Service is underway for 2015. You’ll find our helpful staff in convenient locations at Casuarina, Palmerston and the Mitchell Centre in the City. Imagine how much easier Christmas gifting can be. You can put your presents straight under the tree without the need to run…
Somerville’s Christmas Hamper Appeal
Due to the current economic climate, more people than ever are turning to organisations like Somerville for assistance. It is no longer only vulnerable groups such as the homeless seeking relief, but also the aged, single parents and the working poor. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the students, parents, and teachers…
Somerville Christmas Carols
Four amazing choirs recently helped Somerville and our community celebrate Christmas at Parliament House. Thank you to the talented singers of the Darwin Chorale, Darwin Youth Choir, the Sing Song Signers and our very own Somerville Choir. What an amazing array of voices. And a big thank you to everyone who attended and added to…
The Department of Social Services visits Somerville
Staff from the Australian Government Department of Social Services (both Northern Territory and National Offices) met this week with Somerville’s Management Team to exchange information about our programs and engage in networking activities. The Department of Social Services provides funding to support our free Financial Counselling Helpline. The Helpline is attended by experienced Financial Counsellors…
Three generations of Somervillians
Somerville is very fortunate to be the home of many long term employees. One such person is Jill May, Katherine based Disability Services Coordinator. Jill commenced work with Somerville in 1989, after the local Katherine paper advertised a position in a new house for those being repatriated. Jill’s daughter, Lee-Anne, often visited her mother’s workplace…
Visit from City of Darwin Library Services
Staff from the City of Darwin Library Services recently visited Somerville to provide an overview of their programs and services. Membership to the Darwin libraries is free for NT residents. Members are able to borrow books, DVDs, ebooks, and emagazines as well as free computer use and free wifi. The libraries also hold live music…
Finance Workers Forum
Somerville recently hosted a Finance Workers Forum in Darwin. The purpose of this forum was to bring together all service providers in the Northern Territory along with both DSS and ASIC staff. With changes in the funding landscape this forum gave services the opportunity to advise what programs they were each offering in 2016. The…
Wingara Mura – Bunga Barrabugu Summer Program at SCA
Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) welcomed twenty year 11 and 12 Aboriginal and Torrres Strait Islander students from all over the country in January for the annual Bunga Barrabugu Summer Program. The program provides participating high school students with the opportunity to experience university life, understand the links between their interests and possible careers,…
Construction workers come to the aid of struggling Territorians
JKC Australia’s 6,500 employees currently working on the NT INPEX onshore LNG project have donated pallet loads of food and presents to St Vincent de Paul Society, Salvation Army and Somerville Community Services. In addition JKC management have made a significant donation of “Groceries Only Gift Cards”. Their generosity will enable Somerville to provide Christmas…
Another win for Somerville!
The NT Human Rights Awards have been announced and we are proud to announce that Somerville were joint winners with Football Without Borders of one of the four categories, The Fitzgerald Diversity Award. The Fitzgerald Diversity Award is for individuals or organisations whose activities focus on promoting, protecting and fulfilling human rights of diverse communities…