Central Australia Update in July: What Has Been Happening at MIFANT
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
From families gathering under the trees in Elliott, to generations of women sharing a kitchen in Tennant Creek, and youth yarning around a campfire out on country near Alice Springs, July was a month of meaningful connection. Our team travelled across Central Australia to bring support directly into the heart of these communities.
A Community BBQ in Elliott
In Elliott, families, carers, and community members gathered for a morning of conversation and creativity. People from across the community decorated canvas bags with affirmations to take home. Having fathers, uncles, and brothers join in the activities alongside the women and kids made it a truly whole-of-community morning.
The relaxed, outdoor setting made it easy for families to chat comfortably with staff from the Department of Health, the Central Land Council, Barkly Regional Council, and the Department of Children and Families. Accessing mental health support in regional Northern Territory can often be complex. Events like this help make support feel more approachable, taking the pressure off people having to navigate the system on their own. The feedback from the community and our partner organisations was fantastic, with strong requests for more local events, and we look forward to returning.
Cooking and Wellbeing in Tennant Creek
In Tennant Creek, we partnered with Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation’s Piliyintinji-Ki Stronger Families program to host a cooking and wellbeing session. Mothers, aunts, and grandmothers came together to prepare a hearty beef stew and rice. The focus was on using simple, affordable ingredients that can easily be cooked at home.
While the food was cooking, our facilitator led a workshop exploring what it means to be a strong carer. The group swapped stories about their day-to-day lives, acknowledging the constant work that goes into raising and supporting their families. Knowing how to put together a budget-friendly, nutritious meal is great practical support, but taking the time to recognise the strengths these carers already hold is just as important for mental wellbeing. A big thank you to Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation for having us.
Connecting on Country with BushMob and DASA Alice Springs
Our team also had the opportunity to head out on country with staff and participants from BushMob Aboriginal Corporation and DASA Alice Springs for a morning of peer support. With kangaroo tail cooking on the fire, the group shared a yarn about horse safety, celebrated Territory Day, and caught up on local happenings around Larapinta and the upcoming Alice Springs Show.
Effective peer support does not always require a clinic or a structured environment. Sometimes, it is as simple as sitting together on country and sharing a yarn about everyday life. For the communities we work with across Central Australia, this kind of connection is a highly effective form of mental health support. Thank you to BushMob and DASA Alice Springs for inviting us along.
Get in Touch
If you are a young person, parent, carer, or educator who wants to learn more about the mental health resources available throughout Central Australia, our team is here to help.
Visit www.mifant.org.au/central-australia-programs or call us on 1800 985 944 or (08) 8948 1051.
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