Stronger Communities for Children achieves milestones and builds connections
Off the back of NAIDOC Week, a time where we come together to recognise the strength, culture and leadership of our people, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate some incredible outcomes from the SCfC program.
At its core, SCfC is about self-determination and returning decision-making power and leadership to First Nations people. Because no one knows our communities and our people better than we do! Across the NT, we are seeing many powerful, community-led solutions that are shaping stronger futures for our children and generations to come.
Over the past year, the Ninti SCfC team has worked hard to ensure First Nations leadership is front and centre in everything we do, not just at the community level, but right across the program at a Territory-wide scale.
One major milestone has been the launch of the SCfC One Mob Decision Making Group, a strong advisory group that brings together representatives from our SCfC communities to learn from one another and strengthen the program across the NT.
We’ve also been walking the talk, backing in the skills, experience and expertise of our own people. That’s meant seeking out and working with more First Nations businesses and contractors to support SCfC delivery. And the results speak for themselves.
From January to June this year, 93.24% of the 3,663.96 hours worked across Ninti SCfC team were delivered by First Nations people. That’s up from 53% last year, and 17.89% the year before. This is a huge achievement, and something we should all be proud of.
To my amazing team, thank you. Your leadership, commitment and hard work is incredible and does not go unnoticed. We might never hit 100% (because we’re not letting Jess go!), but this year’s results are absolutely worth celebrating!
This photo is from our last night in Atitjere community at the first One Mob Decision Making Group meeting. Our bellies were full from all the kangaroo, emu and damper the local people in Atitjere generously shared with us, and our hearts were full from the new relationships and deep connections formed across communities. As one of our Local Community Board members said as we were leaving:
“We came as strangers; we leave as family.”
Veronica Haddon
Program Manager, Stronger Communities for Children
August 22, 2025
Stronger Communities for Children achieves milestones and builds connections
Off the back of NAIDOC Week, a time where we come together to recognise the strength, culture and leadership of our people, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate some incredible outcomes from the SCfC program.
At its core, SCfC is about self-determination and returning decision-making power and leadership to First Nations people. Because no one knows our communities and our people better than we do! Across the NT, we are seeing many powerful, community-led solutions that are shaping stronger futures for our children and generations to come.
Over the past year, the Ninti SCfC team has worked hard to ensure First Nations leadership is front and centre in everything we do, not just at the community level, but right across the program at a Territory-wide scale.
One major milestone has been the launch of the SCfC One Mob Decision Making Group, a strong advisory group that brings together representatives from our SCfC communities to learn from one another and strengthen the program across the NT.
We’ve also been walking the talk, backing in the skills, experience and expertise of our own people. That’s meant seeking out and working with more First Nations businesses and contractors to support SCfC delivery. And the results speak for themselves.
From January to June this year, 93.24% of the 3,663.96 hours worked across Ninti SCfC team were delivered by First Nations people. That’s up from 53% last year, and 17.89% the year before. This is a huge achievement, and something we should all be proud of.
To my amazing team, thank you. Your leadership, commitment and hard work is incredible and does not go unnoticed. We might never hit 100% (because we’re not letting Jess go!), but this year’s results are absolutely worth celebrating!
This photo is from our last night in Atitjere community at the first One Mob Decision Making Group meeting. Our bellies were full from all the kangaroo, emu and damper the local people in Atitjere generously shared with us, and our hearts were full from the new relationships and deep connections formed across communities. As one of our Local Community Board members said as we were leaving:
“We came as strangers; we leave as family.”
Veronica Haddon
Program Manager, Stronger Communities for Children