About Us

Table of contents:
NTCOSS and what we do
Members and key stakeholders
The role of NTCOSS
How we operate
Who does the work of NTCOSS
Our Board Members
Our vision
Our goals
The COSS network
Membership
Contact details

What is NTCOSS and What does it do?

The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) is a peak body for the Social and Community Sector in the NT and an advocate for social justice on behalf of people and communities in the NT, who may be affected by poverty and disadvantage.

Who are the members and key stakeholders of NTCOSS?

NTCOSS has a broad membership  base, which is made up of non government and community organisations, Indigenous organisations, and community councils across the NT as well as other organisations and individuals who are committed to social justice issues for people and communities who are socially and financially disadvantaged in the NT.

NTCOSS is governed by a Board which includes broad representation from across the Social and Community Sector in the NT, including regional representatives and representatives from the range of social policy areas.

The Board and staff of NTCOSS work closely with its members, the general community, government policy officers, service providers and funding bodies, the media, politicians, business, other State and Territory Councils of Social Service and the Australian Council of Social Service, to address priority social policy and sector issues.

What role does NTCOSS play?

NTCOSS plays a coordination, advocacy, policy and sector development, and leadership and information role for the Social and Community Sector in the NT.

This includes:

• Sector Development – provision of industry support and advice to the Social and Community Sector, including training and advice on community management issues and on running an organisation, e.g. administration, staff management, finance and funding issues. It also includes undertaking specific sector development and capacity building projects.
• Advocacy on behalf of the Sector, to Government, in relation to industry issues, e.g. funding issues, workforce issues such as changes to the SACS Award, introduction of new funding guidelines, and legislation and the impact of these changes on the Sector, etc.
• Social Policy and Advocacy – NTCOSS undertakes policy development, analysis and research on social policy issues and develops policy positions that reflect the views of the Social and Community Sector and their consumers. Social Policy Areas include – community services, income support, employment, education, housing and homelessness, law and justice and social policy in relation to the range of different population groups, e.g. Indigenous people, young people and people with disabilities etc. NTCOSS helps shape the public policy agenda by responding to Government proposals and by advocating to Government on the concerns of the Social and Community Sector and their constituencies.
• Advocacy in relation to social justice issues for people and communities in the NT who are socially and financially disadvantaged.
• Information for members and stakeholders – e.g. regular newsletters and updates, access to a resource library as well as a comprehensive directory and electronic database of community services in the NT, etc.
• A Territory specific focus to national issues throughout the State, Territory and National Council of Social Service network.

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How does NTCOSS operate?

NTCOSS operates on a collaborative and participatory approach. Working groups, hosting and facilitating conferences and forums on key issues and establishing partnerships on a project and ongoing basis are some of the ways that people are involved in the work of NTCOSS. Gathering information through State, Territory and National links, conducting reviews and research and the two ways sharing of information through a regular Newsletter, updates and forums ensures that the advice, comment and advocacy role of NTCOSS is well informed. NTCOSS provides a voice on the needs and interests of Territorians on a range of Territory and National groups.

Who does the work of NTCOSS?

NTCOSS is made up of a small group of core staff – an Executive Director, and Office Coordinator, a Policy Officer in Central Australia, as well as project officers who are employed on a short term to longer-term basis around specific projects. NTCOSS has an office in Darwin and an office in Alice Springs.

In addition, as previously noted, NTCOSS operates on a participatory basis, which involves a number of players, e.g. Board Members, co-opted advisors in priority policy areas, working groups and committees, as well as the development of strategic alliances with other peak/Territory bodies etc. To meet the NTCOSS staff please click this link

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Our Board Members

Executive Board Members

 

Bernie Dwyer

Amity Community Services

NTCOSS President

Bernie has a Teaching Degree and is also a qualified Mental Health Nurse. He has worked in the Territory for the past 30 years. He spent some time in Tourism and the Building Industry in the NT before returning to work in Mental Health for Territory Health.

He has worked in Alcohol & Other Drugs and Gambling intervention for the past twenty years and is currently CEO of Amity Community Services Inc.

He has also served as Vice President of NTCOSS and is currently Vice President of the National Association for Gambling Studies

Address: GPO Box 3628 Darwin NT 0801
Contact Phone: 08 8944 6565
Contact Email: bernie@amity.org.au

Visit: Amity Community Services 

 

Tracey Brand

Tangentyere Council

 NTCOSS Vice President & ACOSS Representative

Tracey Brand is the Deputy Director of Tangentyere Council and has 20 years involvement in the community sector. She has a strong interest in equity and social justice issues.

Tracey chaired the Northern Territory Homeless Taskforce, was ministerially appointed to the Australian Government Regional Women's Advisory Board, served on the national Job Futures board and is deputy Chairperson of the Northern Territory Area Consultative Committee.

Tracey has been an active and committed member of the Northern Territory Council of Social Services for five years including three years on the Executive.

Address: PO Box 8070 Alice Springs NT 0871
Contact Phone: 08 8951 4220
Contact Fax: 08 8952 2618
Contact Email: tracey.brand@tangentyere.org.au

 Visit: Tangentyere Council  

 

Vicki O'Halloran

Somerville Community Services

NTCOSS Secretary

Vicki has worked in the community services sector in both Tasmania and the Northern Territory. She commenced working for Somerville in 1993. Somerville employs 165 staff who deliver a wide range of services to disadvantaged Territorians.

Vicki commenced her involvement with NTCOSS in 1996. Other Board and committee roles in the sector include:
The Northern Territory Housing Appeals Board (Ministerial Appointment)
National Disability Services (NDS)
St Philips College
The Northern Territory Board of Studies (Ministerial Appointment)
The Review Board of the Health & Community Services Complaints Commission (Ministerial Appointment)
The Northern Territory Water Safety Advisory Council (Ministerial Appointment)

Address: PO Box 42644 Casuarina NT 0811
Contact Phone: 08 8920 4100
Contact Fax: 08 8920 4101
Contact Email: vicko@somerville.org.au


Visit: Somerville Community Services

 

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Barry Hansen

Chartered Accountant

NTCOSS Treasurer

Barry came to the NT in 1970 to work for the then NT Administration in Darwin. In 1973 he transferred to the newly formed Department of Aboriginal Affairs; in 1978 he was appointed Assistant Director of the Central Australian “State” Office of DAA based in Alice Springs, with responsibility for the southern part of the NT, the Pitjantjatjara Lands of SA, and the Eastern Goldfields region of WA.

His resignation from the Government occurred in 1981 and he became a Chartered Accountant in public practice. He ran a practice with up to 40 staff and was on the National Board of the firm for 9 years. He moved on to a small practice in his own name in 1996, having in the meantime shifted back to Darwin.

As an accountant he has always had a significant community sector component in the practices.

Barry and his wife became foster carers in 1972, and they have had well over 60 child years in that role. Both of them have also had extensive involvement in a range of community organisations throughout their time in the NT. In fact Barry attended several meetings of NTCOSS when it was formed in the early 1970’s but did not become a Board member (Treasurer, what a surprise) until the late 1990’s. He is now in his fourth term as President.

Address: PO Box 3770 Darwin NT 0801
Contact Phone: 08 8981 5585
Contact Email: barry@barryhansen.com.au

Visit: Barry Hansen Chartered Accountant 

 

Caitlin Perry

Darwin Community Legal Service

NTCOSS Executive Member

Caitlin has worked in the community sector most of her working life. She began at the Tenants’ Union of NSW in 1983 which was also the first year she came to Darwin.

She is currently co-ordinator at Darwin Community Legal Service. In between she worked in community housing in NSW, in women’s services in the NT, and community legal centres in both NSW and Darwin.

As well as being employed in the community sector, she has been an active member of numerous board/management committees for a diverse range of organisations. She has been an NTCOSS Board member since 2003.

Address: GPO Box 3180 Darwin NT 0801
Contact Phone: 08 8982 1111
Contact Fax: 08 8982 1112
Contact Email: caitlin@dcls.org.au

Visit: DCLS Website  

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Wendy Morton

Public Officer

Wendy is the Executive Director for NTCOSS and has been with the organisation since 2005. Prior to NTCOSS, she was the Disability Discrimination Advocate and Outreach Worker at Darwin Community Legal Service for over 7 years. She has been involved with law reform campaigns, policy development, community education and training. She has lived in the NT for over 10 years and spent all of her working life in the community sector. Wendy's love of all things furry and four legged is a constant source of amusement and admiration from all involved with NTCOSS.

Address: 33 Bayfield Road, Malak, NT 0812
Contact Phone: 08 8948 2665
Contact Fax: 08 8948 4590
Contact Email: wendy.morton@ntcoss.org.au

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Board Members

Abdul Khan

Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Programmes Unit

Abdul has spent ninteen years in Alice Springs, Central Australia, and is currently the CEO of Central Australia Aboriginal Alcohol Programmes Unit Aboriginal Corporation in Alice Springs.

He has worked with several Aboriginal organisations and has a good knowledge of the indigenous perspective of alcohol and other drugs in Australia and Overseas.

For 25 years Abdul worked as an educator in the area of science and developed a keen interest in a range of health problems associated with the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Abdul, a Pashtoon, was born and raised in Afghanistan where he first became aware of these abuses. Since settling in Australia in 1970 he has made numerous return visits to Afghanistan and surrounding countries, observing and comparing the effects of alcohol and drug abuse there with those in Australia.

Abdul earned an Honours and a Masters degree in science with a graduate diploma in education also a diploma in drugs and alcohol and is a member of the Australian College of Education for many years.

Address: PO Box 8695 Alice Springs NT 0871
Contact Phone: 08 8958 5336
Contact Fax: 08 8955 5385
Contact Email: abdul.khan@caaapu.org.au

Visit: CAAAPU Website 

Janet Buhagiar

St Vincent de Paul Society

Address: PO Box 1468 Nightcliff NT 0814
Contact Phone: 08 8948 8100
Contact Fax: 08 8948 8244
Contact Email: jbuhagiar@svdpnt.org.au
 

Visit: St Vincent de Paul Society NT

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Gary Halliday

Carers NT

 

MultiCultural Council of the NT

Ron Mitchell

Our vision

A fair, inclusive and sustainable Northern Territory where all individuals and communities have the resources they need to participate in and benefit from social and economic life.

Our goals

• A community in which all people have the opportunities and resources they need in order to participate in and benefit from all aspects of social and economic life.
• A strong, sustainable community sector
• A well governed and resourced peak body

NTCOSS priorities for allocating resources are determined by considering the following criteria:

• An assessment of the impact on disadvantaged Territorians
• Whether another organisation or peak has taken the lead in the campaign
• Whether NTCOSS has the resources and expertise required to have a positive impact or strategic influence on the issue.
• A consideration of Environmental Economic and Social Sustainability.

The COSS Network

Australia's Councils of Social Service (COSS’s) are the peak councils of the community welfare sector and the principal voice for people affected by poverty and disadvantage.

Where are the COSS'

There are nine independent organisations, (one for each state and territory in Australia and a national body), which work together to reduce poverty and promote social justice.

Key Areas

The COSS network is active on many fronts in key areas of social and economic policy, including:

• social security and income support
• community services
• health, including mental health
• housing and urban development
• law and justice
• rural and regional communities
• Indigenous communities -- rights and reconciliation
• economic development and taxation
• employment, education and training

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Membership

Our membership links community welfare organisations in every corner of Australia by bringing together thousands of front-line community agencies:

National, state and territory peak organisations of both consumers and service providers.

The major welfare agencies, such as the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society, Centacare, Anglicare Australia, Mission Australia, the Smith Family, Relationships Australia, and Lifeline.

We work with the our member organisations to promote good public policies and high-quality services that help bring about lasting improvements to people's lives.

 

Contact details for the COSS

Please click on the names of the State/Territory for links to each COSS

  

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