Melaleuca Refugee Centre annual report 2013-2014
Melaleuca Refugee Centre annual report; Reports; PublicationNT; reports
2014
Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).
English
Refugees, Services For -- Northern Territory -- Darwin –- Periodicals; Social service -- Northern Territory -- Darwin –- Periodicals
Melaleuca Refugee Centre
Darwin (N.T.)
Check within Publication or with content Publisher.
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/256450
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/520895
DIRECTORS MESSAGE The past year has been characterised by one of change. With a new senior leadership team in place and new members of the Committee of Management, Melaleuca has had a key focus on the consolidation of sound governance structures, comprehensive quality improvement models for staff and an eye to the opportunities that are emerging for the organisation into the future. As the only service in Australia that works across the settlement of offshore arrivals and torture and trauma counselling for detention and community clients, Melaleuca has an opportunity to learn from the varied experiences of refugees and asylum seekers. Harnessing this learning to improve service delivery and provide comprehensive education and training to other services in the community on trauma informed programs will be the focus for the coming year. Melaleucas position in the Northern Territory is changing as legislation and policy in the refugee and asylum area changes. The use of detention in the NT is growing as Blaydin and Wickham Point become significant centres for detention nationally. Whilst settlement arrivals in the NT from offshore refugee camps is reducing due to Government priorities, Melaleuca will adapt to supporting refugees and asylum seekers in varying ways. This context means Melaleuca needs to be connected in with national networks more than ever. Our key national bodies including the FASSTT network, the Settlement Council of Australia and the Refugee Council of Australia will be important allies as we navigate providing critical support to asylum seekers and refugees in a changing context. As a small agency in the national arena of services, Melaleuca is by no means an insignificant service due to our location in the NT and the range of services we deliver. It remains a privilege to do the work we do. It is to walk alongside those who are creating a new life of safety and security and to sit with those who are desperately struggling with the pain and distress of not yet finding that safety and certainty. To be an agency of support and healing within it all carries a grave responsibility as well as a source of gratitude for what we can offer those in need. As we look to the coming year, there is much to be inspired about and I look forward to deepening local connections with individuals and services across the NT to share information and seek innovation in the work we do. Caz Coleman Director 3