FIRST QUARTER, 2018

In this issue...

Photo: Somerville Financial Counsellors Vicki Borzi (Left) and Jodie Rowe (Right) with Amity Community Services Project Office Georgia Tranthem (Centre) settingup the Multi-Venue Self-Exclusion system. Multi-Venue Self-Exclusion – Is it time to take a break from gambling? 2 A Message from our CEO Lawson Broad Government Support Amity Community Services is to manage triggers and temptations to 3 Claire Henty-Gerbert currently running a pilot across not gamble. Chaplain’s farewell message the Northern Territory to provide With the Multi-Venue Self-Exclusion 4 Somerville Christmas Appeal - a heartfelt thankyou gamblers the option to “take a system gamblers can exclude from 6 Somerville Christmas carols break” through Multi-Venue Self- multiple venues via an online system 8 A successful Christmas gift wrapping fundraiser Exclusion. without having to physically visit each Somerville 2017 Christmas raffle Somerville’s Community Centre at and every gambling venue. 9 Target & UnitingCare Christmas appeal 3 Drive is one such location Corporate support and sponsors - Thank you where gamblers can access this quick If you, or someone you know would 10 Managing large sums of money and simple system. like to “take a break” from gambling Dealing with family pressure about money please contact Somerville on 8935 Currently the process for a gambler 1500. Our experienced staff can assist ASIC’s MoneySmart Website to self-exclude involves the gambler you to access the Multi-Venue Self- 11 Representation on the National ATSI Steering Group completing a paper-based self- Exclusion system. Katherine - Free family movie event exclusion form at every gambling 12 Family Services - ‘Express Yourself’ art therapy venue they decide to self-exclude Alternatively you can contact Amity program from. This process can be confusing, on 8944 6565 or for more information 13 Recognising Staff Achievements and presents a range of challenges on Multi-Venue Self-Exclusion visit the 14 Katherine floods remembered especially for people who are working website below: 16 Staff profile: Jill May https://www.amity.org.au/our-services/gambling-services/multi-venue-self-exclusion/

WWW.SOMERVILLE.ORG.AU A Message from our CEO Lawson Broad Claire Henty-Gerbert

of us that have caused us to join the him in the same way she would her own Claire Henty-Gebert - born in the Barrow Creek locality Claire lived in Darwin during cyclone Tracey and in her later organisation that is Somerville. brother or sister. in 1928 or 1929, died in Darwin on 27 November 2017. years she searched for and found her family and Aboriginal heritage. For me, I grew up in and around the Disability Services Coordinator, Claire was one of the 95 children who, in 1942, crossed the church and like all of our personal Sebastiana (Anna) Barros, who is an continent, from Croker Island to , with Margaret The story of travelling with Margaret Somerville and the Croker histories this left its mark. One of those agricultural scientist and has worked for Somerville and other missionaries. She returned in 1946 and Island children has also been told in the historical book They imprints is a lifelong struggle to unpack the UN and advised government; derives lived another ten years on the island. Claire was a leader of the Crossed a Continent. the enduring paradoxes of Christian such obvious happiness and satisfaction Croker Island children. Hers was a life filled with joy, laughter and teaching. Such baffling statements as from serving people in need of daily practical compassion. It was a life to inspire all Australians. ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ or assistance with the everyday tasks of The extended family of Somerville Community Services would ‘whoever wants to be a leader among life. Her eyes light up when sharing the like to express our sympathy to Claire’s family on her recent you must be your servant’. This urging character of each of the people she works passing. toward service of others is not exclusive with and the personal warmth she has for to Christianity; the essence is contained them. Claire’s long full life has been chronicled in her memoir Paint Me within the diversity of world religions and Black. It is an amazing story of her life from being taken away I received a note just before Christmas lies at the heart of ethical thinking. from her family, finally finding a loving home on Croker Island from one of our financial counselling and then travelling by foot accross Australia on foot during For Somerville, we have the practical clients about the life changing impact World War 2. example of these principles lived out that working with Kelly Gulliver Financial in the life of our namesake, Margaret Counsellor/NILS Coordinator has had on As I have come to know Somerville Somerville. Hers was a life lived for the her and her family in recovering from over these past few months I have benefit of those in need of care, and a what was a devastating situation of been impressed by the way our helping hand. She showed, in a profound financial hardship. She was moved, not Chaplain’s farewell message mission statement is grounded in way what it means to serve others and just by the relief that this had brought, the daily activity of each part of the yet have one’s life enriched with those but also by the care shown by Kelly and intangible gifts of joy and peace and her genuine desire to help someone in organisation: I have thoroughly enjoyed my short tenure as the On a personal note, thank you for welcoming me in so warmly. fulfillment. need. Chaplain at Somerville. I have enjoyed the chance I’m stepping back as the Chaplain here at Somerville, to enter Somerville is filled with daily examples Among us are so many similar stories that to meet with staff and volunteers who are doing the ordination program with the Uniting Church in Australia. I’ll To impact positively on the of genuine compassion and service to make Somerville the strong organisation such fantastic work in our community. I have been continue to be the Pastor at Palmerston UCA and look forward dignity and quality of life of others. I have been fortunate, in meeting that it is, with real meaning and purpose continuously amazed at the dedication and love our staff to Somerville Sunday 2018. people who are affected by social so many of you and sharing in some of behind our guiding mission. show to all people. these quiet but resonant stories. and economic disadvantage. It is these stories that brought inspiration One of my favourite parts of this has been visiting the Disability Recently, Bev Dickens, Disability in thinking about this year’s motivational Service houses. These are homes, with residents who are loved Services Coordinator, shared with statement: and cherished. From the gardens (and fat pig at Girraween!) to me an early revelation of hers about the morning teas around the family dining room table, this is At the foundation of this statement is relating to people with disability, where a loving family environment. All of the staff play a significant a desire to serve others and it is this communication can at first seem a role in creating this atmosphere, and I’ve experienced this that sets us apart. In considering a “We become our true selves difficult obstacle. Through advice from atmosphere in all of the Disability Service houses I’ve visited. motivational statement for the year, this and embrace life through the brother of someone with intellectual led me to ponder what it is within each service to others.” I want to finish by paraphrasing a reading from the Christian disability she was encouraged to relate to scriptures. In the final parts of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is giving his last few lessons for the disciples. These stories are full of fantastic imagery, usually set at the final judgement. In one of these stories, Jesus identifies as the hungry, the thirsty, the Northern Territory Government Support stranger, as the one in need. This is a teaching that I spend a lot of time wrestling with, what if the Messiah was in this person I’m working with today? What if the Messiah is in the family who The Board of Somerville Community Services would constantly need our love and care? How does that shape my like to acknowledge the ongoing support provided by response? the Northern Territory Government for our Christmas I’m particularly moved by our Disability Service houses because Appeal. they take the inherent worth of the residents seriously. Our With the support provided we were able to purchase staff view the residents as people who live in this house. This aditional food items for hampers and toys for children. Many is something I have witnessed across the board, from those disadvantaged families were able to enjoy a Merry Christmas answering phones and being the public face of Somerville, to due to the support provided the dedicated counsellors and those journeying with people through life struggles. The staff, and I mean all staff, do this Thank you. without even thinking about it. It’s second nature, and I think that’s worth celebrating. Photo: Somerville Chaplain Richard Telfer.

2 SOMERVILLE.ORG.AU 3 Somerville Christmas Appeal - a heartfelt thankyou INPEX Ichthys Project ESS Larrakia, Manigurr-Ma Village, Compass Group Pty Ltd Somerville would like to thank A generous donation of gift cards from the many individuals, schools, the village allowed us to support many businesses, corporations and the families post Christmas. NT Government for their generous donations of food and gifts for the JKC Somerville Christmas appeal. Once again JKC Australia’s employees at Due to the generosity of so many we the Ichthys Project Onshore LNG Facilities were able to provide gifts to hundreds donated gifts and food items to our of children and over 200 food hampers appeal. This is the third year they have to local families, the elderly and people supported our appeal, and once again staying in shelters over Christmas. they made multiple deliveries. We extend a warm thank you to the Bridge Toyota following people and organisations: Photo: Mona Lisa Fungale (Center) from INPEX Ichthys Project ESS Larrakia, Manigurr-Ma Village, Compass Group The Management and Staff of Bridge Pty Ltd.. ABC Radio 105.7 Darwin Toyota Darwin and Palmerston supported During December 105.7 ABC Radio ran our Christmas Appeal this year by way an appeal for two weeks asking the of donations from all of their staff. The community to donate food items and Management then matched the staff gifts to our Christmas appeal. contribution resulting in a very generous donation. Thank you to all at Toyota Photo: The ABC Radio Darwin team with a collection of Christmas donations. The response from the community Darwin and Palmerston was overwhelming with many people presenting to our offices with donations. Essington School Anonymous donors Thank you to the many individuals ABC held a live broadcast from The Essington School students and who gave generously to our appeal Somerville’s Wagaman office where the community have been long-term and wished to remain anonymous. community were asked to drop in and A big thank you to everyone supporters of our Christmas Appeal Collectively you all made a significant donate. Somerville provided a bacon and who donated items to the and once again students, parents and difference to many children and families. egg breakfast to those who dropped by. teachers donated generously to our Somerville Christmas Appeal. appeal. A special thank you to Sara Thank you to the ABC and to the Materazzo, who coordinated the donated community for supporting our appeal. food items and Christmas gifts. Photo: Thank you to all the staff and management from Darwin & Palmerston Bridge Toyata.

Photo: Some of the workers from JKC Australia, INPEX Ichthys Project ESS Larrakia, Manigurr-Ma Village, Compass Group Pty Ltd who delivered truck loads of food and toys. Photo: Richard Margetson interviewing Her Honour the Honorable Vicki O’Halloran AM, Administrator of the Northern Territory who dropped in on the live broadcast.

4 SOMERVILLE.ORG.AU 5 Somerville Christmas carols

Somerville held its annual Christmas Carols at Thank you to Paolo Fabris and the members of Vox Crox, Rachael Parliament House, where the community joined with Kroes and the members of Sing Song Signers, Liza Metcalfe Somerville staff and service users as part of our end of and the members of the Somerville Choir, Ron Roberts and the year Christmas celebrations. Darwin City Brass Band. Somerville would like to thank Madam Speaker, the Honourable Thank you to the master of ceremonies Richard Margeston who Kezia Purick, for her patronage of the event. did a great job to entertain and encourage everyone to join in. The usual performers Sing Song Signers, Vox Crox and our very Thanks also to Debbie Bampton, Bonnie Solly and Kacie Ferson own Somerville Choir all did a wonderful job at leading the for the work and effort in oganising the event and to the carols. Joining us for the first time was the Darwin City Brass Parliament House staff for decorating the venue. Band with a unique sound akin to Christmas songs. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2018.

Photo: The Darwin City Brass Band.

Photo: John Edwards, Daphne Read AO, Her Honour the Honorable Vicki O’Halloran AM, Photo: Somerville staff with Somerville Ambassador Robyne Burridge (front Administrator of the Northern Territory & Somerville CEO Lawson Broad. centre).

Photo: The much anticipated arrival of Santa Claus.

Photo: David Nheu leading the Sing Song Signers on his guitar for “All Through The Night”. Photo: Somerville staff, family and friends all enjoyed the evening.

6 SOMERVILLE.ORG.AU 7 A successful Christmas gift wrapping fundraiser Target & UnitingCare Christmas appeal

Somerville would like to thank the Once again Somerville held our annual gift wrapping We are thankfull to the management and staff at the shopping hundreds of people who donated service at the major shopping centres. With the help of centres who allowed us to undertake this fundraising event on items to the 2017 Christmas Appeal, many volunteers, shoppers had their Christmas gifts their premises. formerly Operation Santa, at Target wrapped at one of our gift wrapping stalls. From small to large, many to few and no matter how awkwardly stores in Palmerston and Katherine. With stalls at Casuarina Square, Palmerston Shopping Centre shaped the gift, we thank the shoppers for using our service to The City of Palmerston Official Manager and the newly opened Gateway Shopping Centre, the number wrap your gifts. Mark Blackburn officially opened the of volunteers made this annual event a success. Last but not least, a special thank you to Daphne Read AO, Liza Appeal at the Target store in Palmerston Thank you to all the volunteers who donated their time Metcalfe, Carolyn Cendo and Terri-Anne Dureau for organising where guests and shoppers enjoyed including students, corporate groups, Somerville board and managing this important event. festivities and entertainment from The members and staff as well as all the individuals who were happy Palmerston Christian School Choir. to give their time for a good cause. There were many stories about ongoing donors, confirming once again that people in the Northern Territory are amongst the most generous in the country. Target staff advised that some shoppers went to the extent of purchasing gifts on lay-by and then donating them to the Appeal. Others donated gifts worth hundreds of dollars and many children helped with their own donations. The presents were gratefully accepted and appreciated by all individuals and families who received them and staff felt honoured to have brought a smile to so many faces. A big thank you to Target and UnitingCare for their continued support of this wonderful program now in its 24th year. Photo: City of Palmerston Official Manager, Mark Blackburn (centre) in front of the Christmas tree drop off point located at Target in Palmerston Shopping Centre.

Photo: L-R: Somerville President Daphne Read AO, Coco O’Halloran, Her Honour the Honorable Vicki O’Halloran AM, Administrator of the Northern Territory, Elaine Castles & Carolyn Cendo at the Palmerston Shopping Centre. Corporate support and sponsors - Thank you Somerville 2017 Christmas raffle Somerville is extremely fortunate for the support received from a host of businesses, government Congratulations to Melissa • Chemart Hibiscus • Paraphenalia Hawthorn the winner departments and individuals. • Darwin Honda • Savvas Footwear of the 2017 Somerville We would like to take this opportunity to • The Big Mower • di CROCO Christmas raffle. thank the businesses and individuals who • Shamrock Chemicals • Crocodylus Park Melissa from Muirhead NT supplied items to be raffled or donated won $500 worth of prizes cash to purchase prizes for the Somerville • Dollys Hibiscus • Parap Fine Foods including a soundbar with Staff Christmas Party. • Q Framing • Betta Home Living subwoofer along with a This is a major event to thank staff • Elaine Castles • Palms City Resort shopping trolly full of toys and for their hard work and extra effort • Skycity Casino • Woolworths games. throughout the year. • Cricket and Football Club • Quest Parap Thank you to everyone who • CBB • Atlas McNeil Healthcare purchased raffle tickets and

supported Somervilles Gift Photo: Luke Gosling helping out at the Casuarina stall with Liza Metkalfe. Wrapping Service. Photo: Raffle winner Melissa Hawthorn.

8 SOMERVILLE.ORG.AU 9 Managing large sums of money Representation on the National ATSI Steering Group

Paul Walker, Somerville’s Katherine Regional Manager Making your payout last • Pay off your debts • Be careful of bullying by members of has been accepted as a member of the National your family or community Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Steering Group. If you’ve received a big sum of money • Put the money in a high-interest savings account from a compensation payment, tax refund, Where to get help deciding The ATSI Steering Group coordinates and facilitates the National land money or an inheritance, there are • Spread your spending over time what to do with your money ATSI Forum & EDR Yarning Circle for the Annual Financial ways to make the money last and protect • Invest your money If you have never received a big amount Counselling Australia Conference and oversees the ATSI Google yourself from people who might try to How to deal with people who of money before, it can be hard to work Network. take it from you. try to take your money out what you should do with it. There are The ATSI Google Network is an email platform for financial How to make your money last places you can go to get guidance. counsellors and capability workers who work predominately There are many people out there who try with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and communities If you have received a big payout, there to get you to give them your money. Be • Financial counsellors where support, advice and issues are identified. are ways to make the most of your money careful who you tell about getting a big • Financial advisers now, so that it can help you and your payout, so you don’t end up losing it. • Financial Information Service (FIS) Paul’s role as a member of the group will be to: family in the future. • Be wary of scammers officers 1. Support and advise the Coordinator Financial Capability at Paul is a financial counsellor and also oversees Somerville’s FCA. Disability and Family Services as Katherine Regional Manager. He More information on managing large sums of money can be found at the following website address: 2. Assist with planning, coordination and facilitation of the is a descendant of the Waanyi people of Lawn Hill in the Gulf of https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-and-you/indigenous/managing-large-sums-of-money annual ATSI Forum and EDR Yarning Circle. Carpentaria, born and raised in Cloncurry . 3. Support FCA’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) by either Prior to becoming a financial counsellor Paul was self-employed participating in the RAP Working Group or positively and was contracted to IBA for four years where he facilitated promoting the RAP. Dealing with family pressure about money business financial management workshops including literacy 4. Help guide the ATSI Google Network and its members. and numeracy training and consulting on community action 5. Promote initiatives in the Indigenous financial capability/ plans throughout remote communities across Northern be able to help them with the cost of big Giving money to your mob Money pressures from your literacy space. Australia. Paul believes that the financial services that Somerville Have you ever had family members family things later, like a new fridge or TV, car 6. Contribute to advocacy initiatives in relation to Indigenous provide in conjunction with other organisations is invaluable to demand some of your money, even repairs or medical costs. When family members make demands financial capability/literacy. the regions social capacity building efforts. when you don’t have enough for for money from you, it is sometimes called How to look after your money 7. Participate in development of strategies for the ATSI Network. yourself? ‘humbugging’. They may come to you To help your family now and in the future, We all like to help our families when we every payday, or ask you to buy them look after your money and yourself first. can, but it’s important to look after yourself things if they know you have money. Here are some ways you can make your first, so you will be able to help your family Taking care of your family is a good thing money last for when you and your family when they really need it. to do, but not if you give all your money really need it. • Do a budget Katherine - Free family movie event Here we explain how to deal with your to your family, and then you don’t have enough to pay your rent or bills or buy • Check your bank statements family when it comes to money, and how Each year the Somerville Youth and Family Services For some families it was great to be able to attend such an event food. It might mean you have to borrow • Keep your bank card and PIN safe to know when it’s the right time to help host a free movie day for youth and families residing in at no cost, especially at the end of the school holidays where them out. money to make ends meet, and end up • Track your money with online banking getting into debt yourself. Katherine and surrounding communities. they could be streatched both financially and emotionally. • Set up a savings account If your family demands money every time This year with funding provided by Youth Vibes and the • What to do if a family member is being Department of the Chief Minister, the event was able to be run you get paid, or if they take more than bullied for money they need, and you’re left short, you won’t for three days with five movies showing. More information on dealing with family pressure about money can be found at the following website address: Held at Katherine’s Cinema3, the movies Ferdinand and Wonder https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-and-you/indigenous/dealing-with-family-pressure-about-money were shown. Star Wars: The Last Jedi on day two and on day three Paddington and Cocco. Approximately 100 children from the outer communities were able to attend with their families thanks to the Police and ASIC’s MoneySmart Website Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) providing transport from Kalkarindji while the NT Education Department provided transport from Lajamanu. PCYC also arranged transportation from Barunga but MoneySmart website is run by the Australian Securities For free guidance on managing your money and coping with lifes unfortunately they were unable to attend on the last day due to and Investments Commission (ASIC) to help people make suprises, visit their website. flooding. the most of their money. www.moneysmart.gov.au Somerville treated movie goers to popcorn and a drink for the families. The Somerville team in Katherine teamed up with Cinema3 in organising a great event that ran smoothly. By the end of the event, 713 people had attended over the three Photo: Some of the movie goers who attended the event with Somerville Family days with some families attending two or three days. Support Worker, Jakki Bogucki (far right).

10 SOMERVILLE.ORG.AU 11 Family Services - ‘Express Yourself’ art therapy program Recognising Staff Achievements

Express Yourself is a new initiative campaign that will develop community experience resistance towards. Somerville recently held an awards ceremony to run by Somerville’s Family Services engagement groups for local youth. The art program seeks to empower recognise staff academic achievements and years of during the school holidays for the service. It provides the youth with a place to these youth to express their feelings, local youth. express themselves in a safe environment. emotions and every day challenges, to CEO Lawson Broad presented each of the recipients with their The program consists of four individual The attending youth are able to connect give them practical strategies into their respective certificates and acknowledged and thanked them for art sessions that focus on a particular in a way that creates shared experience, own healing processes. The program also the contribution that they make to Somerville. medium including painting, mosaic, collective expression and awareness and seeks to empower these youth to make Ongoing professional development of staff is a priority at sculpture and graffiti. After the art action against the growing social issues positive life choices despite their current Somerville to ensure that staff have the necessary skill to deliver sessions there is an exhibition of the they experience along with improved circumstances. Art therapy fills a gap a professional service and to achieve the best possible outcomes created artworks so the participants can access to support services. where traditional psychotherapy hasn’t for our clients and service users. have the opportunity to show their work worked and allows the participant to Participants can use provided mediums to family and friends. communicate on a different level. It also to express themselves and tell their supports youth who may not fit into the ‘Express Yourself’ aims to be an stories. It is a more accessable alternative more physically active programs available Professional Years of Service: early intervention and prevention to talk therapy which many youth such as Street Basketball Development: 30 years Photo: L-R: Financial Services Team Members Vicki Borzi (Financial Counsellor), The following staff • Josefina Bacus Jonathan Turk (Financial Counsellor) & Kelly Gulliver (Financial Counsellor/NILs successfully achieved the Coordinator) were recognised for their achievements. Seen here with Financial 20 years following qualifications: Services Manager Allison O’Connor & Somerville CEO Lawson Broad. • Rosa Manikallil Diploma of Counselling • Vince Yuen • Vicki Borzi 10 years Diploma of Community • Skye Lee Services: • Azmi Marshall • Manisha Gurung • Roderick Pineda Cert IV in Disability 5 years • Hari Baskota • Milan Gurung • James McMillan • KC Santosh • Karamjit Thandi • Maria Miranda • Mingmar Lama • Anya Soares • Melinda Freeman 3 years Cert IV in Leadership & Management • Kerry-Lee Boswell • Melinda Freeman Photo: Somerville staff, L-R: Bony Jacob,Rosa Manikallil, Vincent Yuen, Com Mu, • Tiri Mapendere Lasith Karunachcharige R-L: Winnie Arevalo and Anya Soares received years of service • Com Mu • Bony Jacob certificates from Somerville CEO Lawson Broad. • Anya Soares • Min-jing Hsieh • Bony Jacob Program Specific • Lasith Karunchacharige Recognition: • Sinu Thomas Jonathan Turk and Paul Walker – Certificate of Appreciation for participation in the Australian Taxation Office – Tax Help Program Kelly Gulliver – Somerville NILS 100 Club, for assisting 100 clients to purchase much needed items through the No Interest Loans Scheme

Photo: L-R: Bony Jacob, Manisha Gurung, Tiri Mapendere, Hari Baskot and Anya Photo: Some of the artwork created by those who participated in the Christmas Holidays program. Soares were acknowledged for their professional development achievements by Somerville CEO Lawson Broad.

12 SOMERVILLE.ORG.AU 13 Katherine floods remembered

This January marked the 20 Year Disability house with breakfast and things up on top of the cupboards well the waters were rising very quickly and Newsagency cleaning and scrubbing cemented friendships. anniversary of the 1998 Katherine getting the participants ready for the above the expected high water mark. they soon had to stop. walls and doing whatever was needed. Bev remembers that when Jill and Neville floods. On the 27th January 1998 day’s activities. Bev received a phone call Each day they would report in and where Bev recalls a dream she had had some The participants were all settled in across May evacuated their house hey had to the Katherine River peaked at 20.3m from the then Somerville CEO, Graham then directed to where they were needed months prior where there was a flood and town and Bev recalls the lounge room leave their dog and two cats behind. and covered more than 1,000 square Bull who enquired how things were going for the day. she and Jill were carry the clients into the was wall to wall mattresses as that was A friend paddled around to the house kilometres, including the Katherine in Katherine considering the amount of bus. Bev had shared this dream with Jill the only room available. Jill recalls that Once the road North was opened further and rescued the dog which was a great Township. rain the area had received. Bev advised as it had been very vivid. As they were information was slow in getting through support was received from Darwin and surprise when Jill and Neville were that all was well and Graham said that Over 5,000 people were made refugees preparing the clients Bev reminded Jill of as there were no mobile phones and she the staff started cleaning the Somerville reunited with their beloved dog (the two he had heard that the Katherine River and the then Katherine Mayor, Jim her dream. was concerned about her family and their Disability house. cats also survived the floods). was going to flood at lunchtime that day. Forscutt estimated 2000 people left the safety. Graham advised that they should start As it would turn out when the staff went During this time Somerville sent a In time all the participants returned to town during the floods and predicted moving the participants in the house to to transport the participants in the bus Bev recalls that the water came up as Counsellor down from Darwin to support the Disability house in Katherine and life many would not return. the other side of Katherine to the other the back ramp would not come down. high as the top of the floor to ceiling the staff. Bev recalls it was great to have returned to normal, however Bev and Jill Whilst many people did not return to Somerville Disability Services house. This meant that there was no wheelchair louvers and remembers a lot of damage someone there who they could talk to will never forget the events of January Katherine many stayed and worked Bev then called Jill who was on a day off access so the staff had to carry the was done as people sped past in their and who was there to support them 1998. side by side in the aftermath of this and Jill was soon at the house to help participants into the bus and lay them motor boats creating a wake which through this time. Bev was grateful for the Somerville would like to take this devastating event. In the stench and evacuate the participants. Jill recalls when on mattresses. They were then able caused more water to enter the house. support Somerville provided throughout opportunity to recognise the contribution the mud strangers became friends and she received Bevs phone call she put on to borrow a trailer which they used to this time, and that they were still on the At the time Bev lived in a high house of those employees who at the time were lifelong friendships were cemented. her sandals and grabbed her purse and transport the wheelchairs across town. Somerville payroll as they worked to get near the river and she and her family faced with the responsibility of those in said goodbye to her family. It would be the town back on its feet. Two of Somerville’s Disability Services It was sometime before they received evacuated across to Katherine East where our care, whilst ensuring the safety of two weeks before Jill returned home. Coordinators Bev Dickens and Jill May a visit from the emergency services they stayed with her Daughter. Bev remembers that this event was a their own families. were then working in Somerville’s At that time there were five participants who advised them that they needed to good leveller as people from all walks of After some time the participants were Your contribution during this very Katherine Disability houses and have living in the house and Jill and Bev evacuate but by this time they were ready life worked beside each other covered in then evacuated to Darwin and the difficult time was significant as you acted generously shared their memories of this started to get them ready, packing their for their first trip across town with the mud. Great friendships were made during Somerville staff stayed in Katherine to courageously in the face of adversity. devastating event. things in preparation for evacuation to participants. this time which have lasted the test of assist with the clean-up. Jill and Bev higher ground. Both Jill and Bev had been time due to their shared experience. Bev Bev and Jill we acknowledge and salute Bev recalls that the day started like any They made many trips back and forth to volunteered with many businesses through a previous flood and moved recalls both sad and happy stories that you. other day and they were busy in the collect more items from the house but including the Jewellers and the

Photo: The Katherine Central Shopping Center. Photo: L-R: Beverly Dickens & Jill May with two English backpackers helping with the cleanup.

14 SOMERVILLE.ORG.AU 15 Staff profile: Jill May

An agency of the Uniting Church in Australia

OUR MISSION “To impact positively on the dignity and quality of life of people who are affected by social and economic disadvantage.”

OUR VISION “People are able to gain improvement in their quality of life by achieving the highest attainable standard of social and economic outcomes.” I was born at Angaston in the Barossa In 1989 I saw an ad in the paper saying Valley, the youngest of five girls. My Somerville were repatriating four people OUR VALUES father was a school teacher so we moved from Adelaide for a Group home in around to small country towns living in Katherine. So I applied for the job and • Recognition of the intrinsic worth schoolhouses until I completed high school started on the 22nd June. Had three days of every human being training in Darwin, then moved to the old We moved to Warooka on the Yorke • Generosity from the heart children’s ward at Katherine Hospital for Peninsula, where I started nursing training • Service to the community three months until 20 Victoria Highway was at Yorketown. While there I met Neville completed. • Justice within our society my husband who was working in the Post Office. After we married in 1970 we I Have seen many changes over the years, moved to Woomera, it was a fantastic the most traumatic was the 1998 floods, place for young couples and we were lucky where we had to evacuate as there was enough to see the last rocket launched over five foot of water through the house. from Woomera. Our two sons were born All the clients went to Darwin for three there. After five years our friends who had months until the house was repaired. Somerville News is the quarterly journal moved to Katherine said we should come Somerville still paid us and we worked of Somerville Community Services Inc. to Katherine. around the town helping schools and Further information about our organisation So in 1975 we moved to Katherine, as it businesses clean-up. The support from and its work is available from the CEO on was just after and people had Somerville was fantastic as we were all very (08) 8920 4100. Articles may be reproduced moved down from Darwin there was no traumatised for a while after. freely but we request acknowledgement. housing available, we lived in a motel for I’m intending to retire later this year but six months, not good with Neville doing will always remember the great people and night duty at the telephone exchange and Somerville for all the support that has been with the two boys under four! We then LIKE US given to our family over many years. ‘Somerville.Community.Services’ moved out to the ‘old’ Tindal in a tin house that leaked in the wet, but that was far TWEET US better than a motel room. Moved into town ‘SomervilleCS’ Jill May after 12 months. Our daughter Lee-Anne Disability Services Coordinator was born in 1977 at the Katherine hospital, FOLLOW US so completing our family. ‘Somerville Community Services’ Photo top: Jill May with her daughter Lee-Anne Stubbs and granddaughter Bianca Stubbs.

GENERAL DARWIN OFFICE PALMERSTON KATHERINE OFFICE Email: [email protected] 147 Lee Point Road 3 Victoria Drive 30 First Street WAGAMAN, NT 0810 GRAY, NT 0830 KATHERINE, NT 0850 Web: www.somerville.org.au Ph: (08) 8920 4100 Ph: (08) 8935 1500 Ph: (08) 8972 5100 NATIONAL DEBT HELPLINE Fax: (08) 8920 4101 Fax: (08) 8935 1501 Fax: (08) 8972 5101 Phone: 1800 007 007 PO Box 42644 CASUARINA, NT 0811