Central Australia Update in June: What Has Been Happening at MIFANT

A Day on Country at Mary Anne Dam, Tennant Creek

What a beautiful day out on country. Our Bush Walk event at Mary Anne Dam drew a strong turnout, with families and children joining us for a day of connection and wellbeing.

Families spent the day walking, yarning, and enjoying the natural environment, sharing damper, kangaroo tail, and refreshments along the way. It was wonderful to see the ladies take the opportunity to connect with nature, strengthen social ties, and focus on their mental wellbeing in such a relaxed, supportive setting.

None of this happens without partnership. A huge thank you to BRADAAG (The Barkly Region Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Group), Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, and Tennant Creek Women's Refuge for supporting the event. The feedback since has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are grateful to everyone who came along and made the day such a success for community connection, cultural engagement, and wellbeing.

Just FLO Workshop at Mulga Camp

Our workshop at Mulga Camp saw a strong community turnout this month. We combined the session with a school holiday activity, bringing together 22 adults and 36 young people for the afternoon.

We partnered with Julalikari CFC and John Moriarty Football to deliver the day. Their support helped us reach more families and kept activities engaging for people of all ages.

The workshop centred on a Nature Canvas activity, with adults and young people gathering leaves, sticks, and grass from around the camp to design their own pieces. It was a hands on, creative way for everyone to express themselves while connecting with Country. A key focus was teaching the skill of sharing resources, so everyone could access materials and bring their ideas to life, and it was great seeing participants support one another to do exactly that. The activity created space for meaningful yarns around wellbeing and community connection alongside the making.

One of the best parts of the day came from two former MIFANT participants, who stepped up as facilitators for John Moriarty Football. Both young women were referred to the Indigenous Skills and Employment program by MIFANT to prepare them for employment opportunities, and seeing them lead activities and engage with community was a powerful reminder of what that support can lead to.

Access to this kind of community support in remote NT is not a given. Days like this happen because organisations keep showing up for each other and for families, town after town, session after session.

Get in Touch

If you are a young person, a parent, or a teacher who wants to know more about mental health support available across Central Australia, we are here. Visit www.mifant.org.au or call 1800 985 944.