Somerville Community Services

19/11/2025

Fairan and Amit have started to decorate the Christmas tree! And of course, Christmas music is required!

The Christmas celebrations have begun! We look forward to sharing more festive pictures.🎄🎁🎅

18/11/2025

Participants at Somerville have been busy staying active, trying new things, building skills, and enjoying time together.

We’re proud to support meaningful activities that help each person live the life they want to live.

A big thank you to all the Allied Health professionals who assist with making this happen.

18/11/2025

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Somerville! 🎄🎅🎁

In Katherine, some participants and staff are already preparing their homes in the lead up to the festive season.

Pictured is Davina, making a Christmas wreath with a pool noodle and tinsel.

17/11/2025

This is what meaningful, accessible communication looks like.

A few weeks ago, we witnessed an example of AAC in action. AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) refers to the tools and strategies that support people whose speech is limited. It can include anything from gestures and pictures to communication apps like ProLoquo2Go and frameworks like Talking Mats.

Rosary spent time chatting with Stanley using his ProLoquo2Go on his iPad. During their conversation, Stanley shared that he wanted to speak with his family. Rosary acted immediately, calling his loved ones so he could hear their voices and catch up on all their news. He said he felt much happier afterwards.

A huge well done to Rosary, Job, Liz and Georgie. It was such a joy to see Stanley using his AAC tools so confidently, and to watch you all create space for everyone’s voice to be heard.

14/11/2025

🌟 Oh, what a night! 🌟

Last week, we gathered to celebrate our incredible team at the 2025 Somerville Staff Awards.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, cheered on their colleagues, and helped us honour the people who make Somerville such a special organisation.

Here are some of our favourite moments from the night 💛✨

14/11/2025

✨ Celebrating our people! ✨

Last week, we celebrated the 2025 Somerville Staff Awards, a special night honouring the individuals whose compassion, leadership and teamwork make Somerville what it is.

Across seven award categories, we recognised staff who go above and beyond to support participants, uplift colleagues, and live our values every single day.

A huge congratulations to all of our finalists and winners, including:
🏆 Emerging Talent Award – Esharag Gamal
🏆 Mentor Award – Sinu Thomas
🏆 Active Support Excellence Award – Joanne Daley
🏆 Excellence in Teamwork Award – Jitender Singh
🏆 Innovation Award – Justin Smedley
🏆 Leadership Award – Anjana Gauchan
🏆 Margaret Somerville Award – Gede Mahendra

We are so proud of every one of you.
Thank you for the care, heart and dedication you bring to Somerville every day.

13/11/2025

Well done Andrew!

We’re delighted to share that Andrew is now a Board Member for the South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability (SACID).

Recently, Andrew travelled to Adelaide, supported by Somerville staff, to attend SACID’s Annual General Meeting. He contributed his lived experience, engaged with fellow board members, and explored the city during his downtime.

We’re incredibly proud of Andrew’s leadership and the valuable perspective he brings to every room he’s in.

11/11/2025

We’re pleased to share Somerville’s 2024–2025 Annual Report.

This year’s report highlights our achievements, milestones, and the positive impact made across our services and communities.

https://somerville.org.au/publications/annual-report/

31/10/2025

Check out our latest Somerville newsletter!

This edition is packed with stories that celebrate connection, courage and community — including:
✨ Dancing with the Celebrities
🎉 60th Celebration in Katherine
💛 Participant Day in Alice Springs
🙏 Staff profile: our Chaplain, Sarah Pollitt

Take a look and see what we’ve been up to across the Territory 👇
🔗 https://somerville.org.au/news/somerville-newsletter-october-edition/

28/10/2025

Congratulations to Matthew and James, who participated in the Dancing with the Celebrities Ball on Saturday Night.

Well done and congratulations to James and his dance partner, who were the overall winners of the night with their Cha Cha and Rock 'n' Roll Jive.

Amy Southwood General Manager, Disability Services, was partnered with Matthew for the evening.

Thank you to Total Recreation for another fantastic Dancing with Celebrities Ball.

20/10/2025

October is AAC Awareness Month

At Somerville, we believe there are many ways people can communicate.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to the tools and strategies that support communication when speech is limited or absent, helping people express their needs, preferences, and thoughts.

AAC includes both unaided methods, such as gestures and facial expressions, and aided systems like communication boards, devices, and apps.
Recently, Fabian was supported by Georgia, Manager of Supported Independent Living Options and staff, to share his activity preferences using Talking Mats - a visual communication framework that helps people express their feelings and views.

Talking Mats can be used physically or digitally on tablets and computers, making it one of many effective ways to ensure everyone can be heard and understood.

17/10/2025

At Somerville, we recognise the vital role allied health professionals play in supporting participants.

This year, we were happy to support the NT Allied Health Awards and sponsor the Team Excellence Award category.

It was a great night to recognise the outstanding work of all in the industry.

Announcement incoming 📣

NT Allied Health Excellence Awards winners have landed!

The NT Allied Health Excellence Awards were celebrated last night at George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.

It was a fabulous night, celebrating the outstanding work of our allied health professionals from across the Northern Territory.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients:

✨ Early Career Excellence Award
◾ Jessie-Rose McDonald | Physiotherapist, Territory Therapy Solutions

✨ Excellence in Clinical Practice Award
◾ Anna Lennie | Physiotherapist, NT Health

✨ Excellence in Research or Quality Improvement Award
◾ Malcolm Flack | Psychologist, Charles Darwin University

✨ Charles Darwin University Excellence in Leadership Award
◾ Tobias Speare | Pharmacist, Flinders University

✨ Somerville Community Services Team Excellence Award
◾ RDH Trauma Service Allied Health | Top End, NT Health

✨ NTPHN Excellence in Community Practice Award
◾ Steven Quach | Prosthetist/Orthotist, Kapok Prosthetics & Orthotics

✨ Excellence in Allied Health Assistance/Technical Support Award
◾ Brooke Venhuizen | Pharmacy Technician, NT Health
◾ Caroline Braedon | Aboriginal Allied Health Assistant, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress

✨ Allied Health Honour Roll
◾ Kim Clayworth, Physiotherapist, NT Health

For more information, visit the website 🔗