VOL.15

The biggest change often starts with the smallest moment. In this issue, you'll discover stories of prevention, perseverance, compassion and hope. From supporting children before they reach crisis point to helping families build stronger foundations, these stories remind us that meaningful change is often built one conversation, one relationship and one act of support at a time.

Get comfy, grab a coffee or hot chocolate, and be inspired.

13,000 Students and Counting

How prevention is changing student wellbeing in regional schools

Play Matters

Why play is essential for learning, resilience and belonging

Centacare recognises, respects and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of the land. We honour their cultural, spiritual and emotional connection to their traditional country.

The Best Time to Help a Child Is Before They Need Help

Preventing problems before they start in regional and rural schools

What if the most effective way to support young people's mental health is to start before problems arise?

That was the message Centacare South West NSW School Wellbeing Practitioners Janine and Libby recently shared at the recent 2026 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference on the Gold Coast.

Selected to present Engaging Whole School Communities in Regional and Rural Schools: A Preventative Approach to Student Wellbeing, they showcased how schools can create stronger, healthier communities by focusing on prevention, early intervention and whole school engagement rather than waiting until students reach crisis point.

The presentation highlighted Centacare's School Wellbeing Program and the impact it is having across regional communities through:

Student workshops that build emotional awareness and coping skills
Collaboration with teachers to embed wellbeing into everyday learning
Parent engagement that strengthens support between home and school
A dedicated Engagement Team delivering proactive wellbeing initiatives across entire school communities

In just 18 months, the Engagement Team has connected with more than 13,000 students through creative activities including art, movement, storytelling and group discussion.

“"When schools, families and communities work together, wellbeing becomes everyone's responsibility."

Early outcomes are encouraging, with schools reporting a reduced need for individual counselling services. For regional and rural communities where access to support can sometimes be limited, this preventative approach is helping more young people access the tools and support they need before challenges become overwhelming.

Want to know more?

To learn more about our School Wellbeing Program and how it can support your school community, visit our SWP hub or contact our team.

Visit SWP Hub

Play Matters More Than We Think...

Protecting childhood by celebrating the unique way every child learns, connects and grows.

June 11 is International Day of Play

From building pillow forts in the lounge room to turning cardboard boxes into spaceships, play is much more than fun. It is one of the most important ways children communicate, learn, process emotions and build resilience.

On 11 June, we celebrate International Day of Play and this year's theme, Protect Play, Protect Childhood. To truly protect childhood, we must also honour the many ways children experience and engage with the world.

At Centacare, we are embracing this message through AutPlay® Therapy, a neuroaffirming framework designed specifically for neurodivergent children.
AutPlay focuses on:

Child led play and goal setting
Building confidence, identity and self worth
Supporting emotional regulation and social connection
Celebrating a child's unique strengths rather than trying to change who they are

“There is no right or wrong way for a brain to work. Every child deserves the chance to thrive as their authentic self.”

By prioritising play that respects each child's individual neurotype, AutPlay helps children feel safe, understood and empowered to be themselves.

Is your child struggling to find their sense of identity, confidence or connection?

Contact our kids counselling team to learn how AutPlay Therapy can support your child and family.

Foundations for Safe Parenting

New Free Webinar Supporting Families After Domestic and Family Violence

Online | FREE | Australia-wide | Starts August

Following the success of our Black Box Parenting program, Centacare South West NSW is expanding access to support with the launch of Foundations for Safe Parenting.

This practical two-hour session brings together key insights and strategies to help parents, carers and caregivers better understand the impacts of family and domestic violence, support children's emotional wellbeing, and create safer family environments.

"Children do not need to witness violence to be affected by it."

Participants will gain a better understanding of how children experience family violence, why emotional safety matters, and practical ways to rebuild trust, strengthen communication and support recovery.

The webinar is delivered live by qualified practitioners and provides a safe, supportive space for learning, reflection and questions.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, foster carer, kinship carer or someone supporting children through family change, this webinar offers practical tools that can be applied immediately.

Learn more and register for this webinar:

Foundations of Safe Parenting

A Million Stories. One Remarkable Journey.

Danny's path from uncertainty to belonging.

What does a million stories look like? Sometimes, it looks like one woman's quiet courage.

Refugee Week 2026, running from 14 to 20 June, invites us to reflect on this year's theme, A Million Stories. Behind every refugee journey is a story of courage, resilience and hope. Together, these stories help shape the diverse communities we call home.

This is Dani's story...

In 2014, Dani left Malaysia in search of safety and the opportunity to build a better future. For six years, she lived with uncertainty while waiting for her visa, navigating life in a new country largely on her own. One of her greatest challenges was being separated from her son for ten years.

Despite the obstacles, Danny never stopped moving forward. She worked as a farmhand before securing long term employment locally and eventually finding stability at Rossie's Foodworks.

With support from Centacare's Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program, Danny received practical assistance, encouragement and guidance when she needed it most.

"The support I received saved my life."

Determined to create new opportunities, Danny enrolled at TAFE to strengthen her English and persevered through multiple citizenship test attempts.
In March 2026, she proudly became an Australian citizen.
Today, Danny feels safe, supported and hopeful. Her Australian passport represents more than citizenship.

As Settlement Engagement and Transition Program Worker Deborah explains:
"It is belonging. It is security. It is community. And finally, it is the freedom to reconnect with her family in Malaysia without fear."

This Refugee Week, Danny's journey reminds us that every story matters and that a welcoming community can make all the difference.

Want to know more about support services for refugees and migrants?

Refugee & Migrant Support HubCulturally Inclusive | Free & Accessible | Practical Help

The Village Looks Different Today

How family support has evolved over 35 years

The village that supports families today looks very different from the one that existed in 1991. Back then, many families only sought support during times of crisis. There was often stigma around asking for help, and services focused mainly on behaviour management.

Today, both families and support systems have evolved. Family structures have changed, parents are often older, and many households are balancing work, caregiving and rising living costs. As a result, many families feel time poor and under increased pressure.
Encouragingly, there has been a cultural shift. More families are seeking support earlier for:

Parenting challenges
Children's emotional wellbeing
Relationship concerns
The everyday pressures of modern family life

“Families do not need to be perfect to be supported. They are resilient, adaptable and deserving of care.”

Support is no longer viewed as a last resort. It is about building strong foundations, strengthening relationships and supporting wellbeing at every stage of family life.

If your family could benefit from support, our Parenting Support Services team is here to help.

Christine
Family & Relationship Practitioner

In the Spotlight: The Vilomah Community

Ensuring no family walks the journey of pregnancy and infant loss alone

This issue, we shine a light on The Vilomah Community, a remarkable organisation supporting families through pregnancy and infant loss with compassion, understanding and care.

Born from heartbreak and a desire to help others, The Vilomah Community was founded in 2021 by bereaved mothers Rebekah Baker and Megan Gaffney in honour of their daughters, Mia and Ruby.

The word Vilomah, meaning against the natural order, reflects the profound grief experienced by parents who lose a child and the importance of ensuring families feel seen, supported and less alone during one of life's most difficult experiences.
Supporting families through pregnancy and infant loss, from 16 weeks gestation to 12 months of age, their care begins in those earliest moments and continues throughout the first year of grief.

Their support includes:

Memory making in hospital through hand and foot castings and photography
Guidance with practical arrangements, including funerals
Connections to counselling and community support services
Ongoing support through significant milestones and anniversaries

Since 2021, The Vilomah Community has supported more than 112 families, walking beside them with compassion, understanding and practical care.
Pregnancy and infant loss remains widely misunderstood. In Australia, six babies are stillborn every day, yet many families feel their grief is overlooked or difficult to talk about.

"One of the most meaningful ways to support bereaved parents is simple: say their baby's name, acknowledge their life and allow space for their story."

At its heart, The Vilomah Community is about connection, compassion and ensuring no family faces this journey alone.

To learn more, support their work or get involved, visit their website:

vilomahcommunity.com