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 Northern Territory 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 Victoria 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 Sydney, 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.