Contact Information

Street Address : 11/16 Malak Crescent, Malak, NT 0812
Postal Address : PO Box 42919 Casuarina NT 0811
Contact Number : (08) 8945 9993 or 1800 655 105
Email : nt@create.org.au
Office Hours : 9am– 5:00pm

About the CREATE NT Team

Catherine Collier
Position: State Coordinator

About Catherine:

Hi Everyone!! My name is Catherine and I started in the role of NT Coordinator for CREATE Foundation in August this year. I’ve been a youth worker for about 12 years now and have really enjoyed working with young people in different care settings in Melbourne, Edinburgh in Scotland (very cold), Darwin and the remote Territory!!
Things I love about living in the NT are meeting new and interesting people all the time, it’s always warm like holiday weather, and learning about Aboriginal Cultures.
I’m really happy to be with CREATE as I get to meet so many cool young people. I’ve been amazed at how confident and professional CREATE Consultants and YAG members are, and hope to meet more and more young people in care so they too can create change and improve Out of Home Care in the Territory!!!
Karen Prenzler
Position: Community Facilitator

About Karen:

My name is Karen and I am the NT’s Community Facilitator. I have only been in Darwin since January 2009 but I love it already, although it can get a bit too hot! I grew up in Sydney but have also lived in Alice Springs and Adelaide. I was a primary school teacher for 10 years but stopped when I became a Mum. I have a little baby boy who is 10 months and very cute.

At CREATE I get to do lots of fun stuff and meet wonderful people! What a top job!
I especially love to organise events!!

Debi Bodden

Position: Community Facilitator

About Debi:

My name is Debi but you can call me Deb. I am a part time community facilitator in the Darwin office. I am originally from Canada but have been in the Territory since 2010. I do miss the snow but I am in love with the heat; my Caribbean roots seem to shine through

I am excited to be part of the CREATE team and to work with young people in care as they transition and journey through these chapters of their lives. I am inspired daily and honoured to work alongside these youth as we strive to create change and improve out of home care in the NT.

Samatha Cotton

Position: Community Facilitator

About Sam:

Hi, my name is Sam and I’m new to  the create team. I have lots of experience with children as I have raised 7 over the last 13 years. They have included nephews, nieces, step kids and my own. Our house is always full as my in-laws are from Torres Strait and there is always family events on. I have also worked in primary schools as a homework coordinator/tutor and have coached junior rugby league. My philosophy is “the more the merrier”! I look forward to the next year at CREATE and hope to meet lots of you at our fun events and forums.

Latest News

clubCREATE magazine Autumn 2012 edition is out now! To download the NT state round-up click here!

Update

Have you ever heard of ‘Stop Motion Animation’?
Stop motion animation is used a lot in creating cartoons. You use heaps of still images of a scene or character but change each one only slightly. When you put them altogether, it makes it look like the scene is changing or the character is moving. Our October YAG meeting saw the team work superbly together on the production of a short film called ‘Journey to Carrotina’. Each young person had a scene to draw, a character to create or a voice to ‘voice -over’ in the Space-based tale of Astronaut Bob, Superhero Gem and Steve the hungry rabbit. Led by Alyson from Darwin Community Arts, this event enabled some very creative (and often hidden) talent to shine through… something we are bound to tap into in the future! Well done guys!

Young Consultants
We had one of our YCs speak at a Darwin Youth Affairs network meeting about methods and strategies on consulting with young people. She made such an impact that she was especially asked to speak at another event. Soon she’ll need her own events manager! What a powerful way of giving young people a voice and being heard. (YOU TOO can have your say! Young Consultant’s training is coming up soon so make sure you give us a call to find out about it!

Youth Advisory Group
It was so much fun to get dressed up and go out for a fancy dinner with the YAG at Il Lido Restaurant for Children’s Week. Not only was the place swanky but the food was delicious and the company was divine! Clare- Gardiner Barnes, CEO of the Department of Children and families, as well as a few other distinguished guests, indulged in some gourmet pizza and cheese platters while chatting to our young people about. A great night was had by all.

CREATE NT office move and new Alice Springs Office

It’s an exciting time for CREATE in the Territory! Karen and Cath recently relocated from the Parap Office to an awesome new space in the Malak Shopping Hub. There’s a Young People’s room at the front for YAG meeting, catch-ups, training and a really comfy big red leather couch to chill on. There are lots of other Community Service Organisations around us, including Darwin Community Arts, Danila Dilba, Multicultural Youth NT, Mission Australia’s Youth Connections Program and YMCA Youth Programs across the road. It’s like a one shop stop for young people looking to access services and everyone who works around here is really cool and nice.

Jaqcui the CREATE CEO and Rosemary, Research and Policy Manager came up to the NT to help Cath set up the new office and deliver the 2011 CREATE Report Card to Stakeholders. Lots of people from Government and non-Government organisations came to hear what young people had to say this year, including the NT Minister for Child Protection, Kon Vatskalis who came and spoke about his vision for child protection system improvement through working together. Everyone was Welcomed to Country by Dorrie-Anne from Larrakia Nation, on behalf of the original Aboriginal custodians of the land. The One Mob, Different Country Aboriginal Dance Group put on a great performance of cultural dances telling dreamtime stories and having great fun with the crowd. Jacqui got some great pictures hanging out with them in the break! Everyone thought the Report Card was really interesting and came up with ideas to support the recommendations made by young people. Afterward everyone came over to check out the new Darwin CREATE Office which was officially launched by one of our lovely NYAC Delegates who cut the big blue CREATE cake with a rainbow and unicorn on it!

A group of CREATEors in Darwin have also been working hard with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner preparing the ‘As Eye See It’ photo exhibition which was launched by NT Children’s Commissioner, Howard Bath, at the NAPCAN Child Protection Week Breakfast. All the participants attended and were really proud of what they’d achieved and to be recognised for their outstanding artworks. Government Ministers, Police, Sports celebrities and a children’s book writer were at the breakfast and all were amazed with what the CREATE Crew had come up with. The Commissioner’s Office got permission from some of the young photographers to make copies for display in the Commissioner’s Office and one participant donated his exhibition piece to the new CREATE Office which needs a bit of livening up and personalised touch from the young (rather than just the young at heart – Cath and Karen)!

Other BIG news is that we are soon to open a CREATE Office in Alice Springs!! The Territory is massive so it will be great to have a base for young people in Central Australia. Stay tuned for developments..
Darwin’s YAG met up at the new office in August and were also treated to an ‘MMM…Munching and Movies’ event. They went to see the movie Red Dog which got great reviews, and then got to have pizza and games / hang out in the park. Lucky!!

About Our Programs

clubCREATE

clubCREATE is a club for children and young people in care, or with a care experience. Members get a welcome pack, quarterly newsletters, invitations to events, and a birthday card each year. You can join clubCREATE by calling your NT office on (08) 8945 9993 or email clubCREATE@create.org.au and ask for a membership form.

Entering Care Kits

If you are entering care for the first time, CREATE will deck you out with a backpack of essential stuff to help you on your way. The kit includes CREATE program information, t-shirt, cap, wristband, newsletter and some other fun stuff. You need to join clubCREATE to be able to receive a kit just contact your NT office on (08) 8945 9993 or email clubCREATE@create.org.au.

State and Territory Youth Advisory Group’s

The Youth Advisory Group is a program that brings young people together to discuss care issues and explore solutions. Youth Advisory groups are in each state and territory and provide feedback which activates change for the better. The Youth Advisory Group also tells CREATE how best to represent the opinions of children and young people in care. To find out more contact your CREATE NT office on (08) 8945 9993.

Young Consultants

Young Consultants are young people aged 14 and over who have had a care experience. They work alongside CREATE to share with others in the community what it is like to be in care. Young Consultants go to conferences, consultations, forums and events to represent CREATE and young people in care. To become a young consultant you need to complete Young Consultants Training.

Young Consultants also get a few perks. They can participate in connection activities like trips to the movies and professional development courses including things like Senior First Aid, interview skills, budgeting and building a resume all of which Young Consultants can access for free.

Young Consultants Training

To become a Young Consultant you need to undertake the Young Consultant’s Training Course which is a fun training workshop. You can hang out with other young people, develop skills in presentation and public speaking and learn all about the Care system. Young Consultants training may lead to opportunities to do some occasional work with CREATE through representation at conferences, consultations, forums and events and providing training support.

Young Consultants Training is planned for the September school holidays. If any young people are interested, please contact us on (08) 8945 9993 or email nt@create.org.au

CREATE Your Future website | www.createyourfuture.org.au

This website is designed to assist young people who are leaving care. It has heaps of information on topics like health, housing, education, employment and more. You can also read stories about other peoples’ experiences of leaving care.

CREATEbank

CREATEbank is a small grant offered to children and young people in care or with a care experience. It is aimed at helping young people help themselves through assisting them to pursue their dreams and goals. The grants can be used for purchasing school books, enrolling in educational programs or courses, musical instruments & lessons, dance or acting classes, sporting equipment and club memberships.
This grant is not available for personal items such as computer games, playstations, clothing, IPOD’s or Xbox’s.

CREATEbank applications have been closed and all grants will be delivered within May/June. Thanks for all the applications.