In this Christmas edition, we unwrap tips to tackle the tricky parts of the festive season, celebrate headspace Griffith, announce shiny new scholarships for 2025, and share school holiday programs to keep the kids busy and more. Plus, a special message from our CEO, Annemaree.

Now that’s a festive wrap! 🎁

A Year of Gratitude and Growth

As 2024 draws to a close, I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible milestones Centacare South West NSW has achieved this year. Since we began in 1991, we’ve proudly supported individuals, families, and communities across the Riverina with unwavering commitment.

This year, Mindful Mondays brought fresh energy to the region, combining wellbeing with connection, coffee, and open conversation. Partnering with Kim and her amazing team at The Brew, and the witty Jamie and Leigh at Triple M, we delivered mindfulness (and caffeine!) to local businesses, fostering a real sense of community spirit. Looking ahead, we’re excited to grow our social presence by launching Instagram and ramping up our facebook to connect with you in even more ways.

We were honoured to receive Golden Crow Awards for Outstanding Business Leader and Employer of Choice, which also earned us finalist nominations for those categories, as well as Most Outstanding Community Organisation, through Business NSW - Riverina Murray. These awards reflect the passion and dedication of our team, who go above and beyond every day.

A big shoutout to headspace Griffith, who not only scored a Highly Commended Award for Emerging Leaders at the Murrumbidgee PHN Awards, but also pushed themselves to raise over $8,000 for mental health through the Push-Up Challenge. Talk about strong commitment to youth wellbeing and some serious upper body strength! 💪

Another important milestone this year was launching a foundation scholarship in partnership with Charles Sturt University. These scholarships recognise outstanding students dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing in regional areas, helping nurture the next generation of advocates and leaders to create lasting change in our community.

This year, we reached more people than ever before through our services and programs, delivering over 19,000 sessions and supporting more than 2,000 individuals in our community—from school students and families to NDIS participants, immigrants, employees, and beyond.

We couldn’t have achieved so much without the incredible partnerships we’ve built along the way. Thank you to Triple M, Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, Charles Sturt University, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, Wagga Business Chamber, Women in Business Wagga, and so many others. Your support makes our work possible and inspires us to keep striving for more.

As we look ahead to 2025, our mission remains the same—to make a positive difference in all people's lives. Thank you for being part of our journey.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Christmas season filled with joy, peace, and connection,

Christmas is a magical time, but for many parents, it can also bring challenges.

Whether you're navigating it as a single parent, co-parent, or however your family is set up, with a little planning and a focus on what truly matters, you can create a festive season full of joy and connection.

Here's 10 tips to help you enjoy the holidays with less stress and more meaning:

Plan Ahead

Take some time to map out your holiday schedule, especially for key days like Christmas. If you're co-parenting, share the plan with your children to ensure they know what to expect. Predictability helps everyone feel at ease.

Start New Traditions

Whether it’s baking cookies, having a Christmas Eve pyjama party, or crafting ornaments, creating new traditions is a wonderful way to bring excitement and togetherness to the season.

Focus On Connection

Set aside the distractions—like your phone—and be present in the moment with your loved ones. It’s the shared laughter, stories, and connection that make this time special.

Acknowledge Everyone's Feelings

The holidays can stir up all kinds of emotions for both kids and adults. Let your children know it’s okay to feel a mix of joy, sadness, or even frustration. Sharing your own feelings in an age-appropriate way can help normalise theirs.

Sprinkle Some Magic

If Christmas Day doesn’t work out as planned, consider fun alternatives like writing a letter from Santa or planning a second celebration. This approach works especially well for separated families but can add a fun twist for any family.

Lean On Your Village

Have a trusted friend or family member you can check in with during the holidays. Whether it’s a quick chat or a listening ear, support goes a long way when things feel overwhelming.

Make Time For You

Parents often put their needs last during the holiday hustle. Whether you’re co-parenting and have time to yourself or simply need a breather, take a moment to recharge. Do something that brings you joy—whether it’s a cosy night in, volunteering, or unwinding with a favorite movie or activity.

Focus On What You Can Control

From holiday plans to family dynamics, not everything will go perfectly—and that’s okay. Focus on how you respond to challenges. A moment to pause and breathe can make all the difference.

Stick To Your Budget

The holidays don’t have to be expensive. Keep your spending under control by setting a budget for gifts and celebrating creatively. Try free community activities like carols or light displays, organise a cricket match or other outdoor games, or enjoy at-home fun like baking or playing board games.
Where it comes to gifts - If you are co-parenting and on good terms with your ex-partner, you could agree to share the costs of the more expensive presents.

Create Indoor Fun

Rainy or slow days can still be magical. Keep a stash of board games, art supplies, or baking ingredients on hand. These simple activities often turn into cherished memories.

No matter your family structure or circumstances, remember that Christmas is about connection, love, and making moments count.

Photo credit: MPHN Primary Healthcare Awards

Celebrating Excellence in Primary Health

Congratulations to the headspace Griffith CARES team on their Highly Commended Award for Emerging Leaders at the Murrumbidgee PHN Awards!

We’re proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of the headspace Griffith CARES team, finalists at the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network Awards. The team was awarded a Highly Commended Recommendation for Emerging Leaders in Primary Health, recognizing their dedication and positive impact on our communities.

The CARES Program (Care Coordination: Advocacy, Referral, Education, and Support) supports young people with complex mental health needs and functional impairment, providing vital assistance where it’s needed most.

A heartfelt thank you to Alison, Tracey, and Georgia for representing the organisation with such passion and excellence. Your innovation, commitment, and vision continue to inspire us all. Well done, team! 🎉

Creative Group Workshops Return in January

Fun, confidence-building group sessions for kids aged 5–14

Due to popular demand, Strong Minds Creative Group Workshops are returning for a second school holiday run! From nature-inspired art projects to mindfulness exercises, our group sessions encourage creativity and teamwork while promoting emotional wellbeing.

📅 When: Weekdays during the school holidays, starting January 14, 2025
📍 Where: Available in Wagga, Griffith & Albury

Creative Group Workshops

Choose from:

Nature Art: Create meaningful art with natural materials.
Weaving Together: Build teamwork through weaving.
Mindfulness Sensory Bottles: Craft calming glitter bottles to take home.

🎨 Spots are limited—book now to secure your child’s place!

Timetable & Bookings

Flag the Behaviour

A new game that teaches people to recognise healthy and harmful behaviours.

Centacare South West NSW is proud to launch Flag the Behaviour, an engaging card game designed to raise awareness about the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships. Using the powerful symbols of Red Flags for concerning behaviours and Green Flags for positive ones, this game educates adults and children alike about relationship dynamics in an interactive way.

Developed in conjunction with the national Red Flags of Domestic Violence Campaign, the game will debut during the 16 Days of Activism on 1st December 2024. It’s tailored for use at community events and talks, aiming to:

Increase understanding of domestic violence in all its forms.
Highlight healthy relationship behaviours.
Unite the community in advocating against violence.

By helping individuals recognise the signs early, Flag the Behaviour encourages vulnerable people to seek support and promotes healthier, safer connections.

🚩Are you a counselor or therapist interested in this resource? Register today!

Supporting Regional Students in Partnership with Charles Sturt University

Applications are now open for the 2025 Centacare Foundation Scholarships! Apply by February 10, 2025

For a second year in a row, and in partnership with Charles Sturt University, Centacare South West NSW is offering three $5,000 scholarships to support regional students passionate about mental health and wellbeing. These scholarships are open to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year undergraduates and postgraduates in psychology, social work, and human services programs who study at CSU’s regional campuses.

Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities.📅 Apply by 9am, February 10, 2025!

Eligibility & Requirements

Boost Your Child’s Potential These School Holidays

Tailored insights to help your child thrive academically, socially, and emotionally

A Cognitive Assessment provides a deep understanding of your child’s mental processes, helping uncover their unique strengths and challenges. Whether your child excels academically, struggles with focus, or faces behavioral hurdles, these evaluations offer tailored insights to guide their growth and well-being.

Key Benefits

Understand Attention and Focus: Pinpoint challenges like ADHD or behavioral concerns that impact learning and interactions.
Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Uncover academic abilities and areas needing support.
Assess School Readiness: Ensure your child is prepared for the demands of school.
Diagnose Learning and Cognitive Disorders: Detect conditions like intellectual disabilities or learning difficulties for tailored interventions.
Inform Educational and Therapeutic Strategies: Shape individualised plans to enhance performance and well-being.

📅 Limited spots available during the school holidays—book now to empower your child’s future!

Bookings & More Information

Centacare is passionate about building connections within the NDIS community.

Our dedicated team provides support coordination, behaviour support, and therapeutic services, recently showcasing these at a dynamic networking event hosted by Able Plus and IN4CARE at the Wagga RSL Club.

The event featured speed networking, with 5-minute intervals for lively and engaging discussions. It was a great chance for us to showcase our services and build valuable relationships within the NDIS network.

Events like these bring together the people and passion driving the NDIS, creating meaningful conversations and stronger connections. Centacare is proud to be part of this vibrant community and looks forward to continuing our support and involvement.

ℹ️ To learn more about our NDIS services, visit us at centacareswnsw.org.au/ndis

Office Hours Over Christmas

We will be closed from 1:00 PM on Tuesday, 24th December, and will reopen at 8:30 AM on Monday, 6th January 2025.

We wish you a joyful and safe Christmas and New Year. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you in 2025! 🎄

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A Year of Gratitude and Growth

Christmas is a magical time, but for many parents, it can also bring challenges.

Whether you're navigating it as a single parent, co-parent, or however your family is set up, with a little planning and a focus on what truly matters, you can create a festive season full of joy and connection.

Here's 10 tips to help you enjoy the holidays with less stress and more meaning:

Plan Ahead

Start New Traditions

Focus On Connection

Acknowledge Everyone's Feelings

Sprinkle Some Magic

Lean On Your Village

Make Time For You

Focus On What You Can Control

Stick To Your Budget

Create Indoor Fun

No matter your family structure or circumstances, remember that Christmas is about connection, love, and making moments count.

Celebrating Excellence in Primary Health

Congratulations to the headspace Griffith CARES team on their Highly Commended Award for Emerging Leaders at the Murrumbidgee PHN Awards!

Creative Group Workshops Return in January

Fun, confidence-building group sessions for kids aged 5–14

Creative Group Workshops

Flag the Behaviour

A new game that teaches people to recognise healthy and harmful behaviours.

Supporting Regional Students in Partnership with Charles Sturt University

Applications are now open for the 2025 Centacare Foundation Scholarships! Apply by February 10, 2025

Boost Your Child’s Potential These School Holidays

Tailored insights to help your child thrive academically, socially, and emotionally

Key Benefits

Centacare is passionate about building connections within the NDIS community.

Our dedicated team provides support coordination, behaviour support, and therapeutic services, recently showcasing these at a dynamic networking event hosted by Able Plus and IN4CARE at the Wagga RSL Club.

Office Hours Over Christmas

We will be closed from 1:00 PM on Tuesday, 24th December, and will reopen at 8:30 AM on Monday, 6th January 2025.

TOGETHER WE THRIVE

HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Social Connections Kids WorkshopsRepeating Event

Newsletter: Christmas Issue Vol. 6 Dec-Jan

Social Connections Kids WorkshopsRepeating Event

Newsletter: Christmas Issue Vol. 6 Dec-Jan

Newsletter: Christmas Issue Vol. 6 Dec-Jan