Marlungku-kari Child & Family Centre Officially Opens

The Tennant Creek community now has a new Child and Family Centre, which will deliver crucial support services to vulnerable children, young people and their families.

The centre is named Marlungku-kari Child and Family Centre (pronounced mar-lun-ku-kari) which means ‘a place belonging to families’ in the Warumungu language and is operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation.

The Centre will assist families in Tennant Creek to access quality and culturally responsive programs and services that will address their needs.

Following the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory, the Territory Government is investing $11.4 million over four years to establish 11 additional Aboriginal Community Controlled Child and Family Centres expanding the network of centres to 17 (six already existed).

With the opening of the Marlungku-kari Child and Family Centre, there are now eight centres in the Territory. The Big Rivers Child and Family Centre in Katherine operated by Kalano Community Association, opened in February this year.

In addition, $17.3 million from the Territory Labor Government’s Early Childhood Strategy Starting Early for a Better Future will be invested to focus on the needs of children 0-5 years and their families in locations across the NT with Child and Family Centres.

The services and programs at each centre will be driven by the local community, as part of Local Decision Making principles, and are designed to help families and communities strengthen their capacity to raise happy and healthy children.

The Marlungku-kari Child and Family Centre is located in the Tennant Creek Primary School grounds off Thompson Street, next to the preschool and co-located with Families as First Teachers (FaFT).

As stated by Chief Minister, Michael Gunner

“We have made significant changes to improve the lives of vulnerable children and their families.

“Child and Family Centres are just one part of our investment in prevention services and ensuring that families get the support that they need – well before a crisis.

“We have also ensured that local solutions are driven by local communities. Child and Family Centres are each unique to their communities, driven by Local Decision Making, and we are giving that power to the community to drive.

“We’ve done everything we can to put Territory kids first this term but there is still much more for us to do. With the continued support of Territorians, we can do even better for all Territory kids.”

As stated by Member for Barkly, Gerry McCarthy

“The Territory Labor Government has delivered and will always invest in Tennant Creek and the Barkly.

“The Marlungku-kari Child and Family Centre, as part of the Integrated Early Childhood Learning Centre, is a much needed addition to our community and as the Local Member it’s something that I have been advocating for and proud to deliver for the people of Tennant Creek.”

/Public Release. View in full here.