Our Work on the Islands
Empowering our regional communities
RA Tas is committed to providing equitable access to our services for residents of regional communities. In 2022, we extended our efforts to both King and Flinders Islands, delivering several of our impactful programs. Through ongoing conversations and collaborations, we established meaningful relationships on the Islands, identifying strengths and opportunities where RA Tas could contribute to the community.
Over the past year, SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY (Stay ChatTY) visited King Island to champion messages around mental health, the Aboriginal Cultural Connections program continued to support relationships for people on Flinders Island, and staff from the Reconnect program have been working with young people on Flinders to build capacity and connection within the community.
We will continue to show up and support those people living in regional communities.
SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Programs
In 2022, Stay ChatTY visited King Island to deliver two Community Program presentations to football, netball, and cricket club members as well as the broader King Island community.
While on the island, the team highlighted the importance of mental health and shared skills, strategies and information on where to get help and how to help a friend or teammate.
While on the island, the team highlighted the importance of mental health and shared skills, strategies and information on where to get help and how to help a friend or teammate.
The positive connections established in the 2022 visit led to the team’s return in 2023, this time delivering the Schools Program sessions at King Island District High School, along with an additional Community Program presentation at the Currie Phoenix Community Centre.
The sessions were well received, with the school hosting three sessions for parents, staff and students. A variety of community members attended each session including the local police, social workers, members of the local Men’s Shed and walking groups.
Stay ChatTY plans to visit King Island annually, expanding sessions and reaching more of the community each time to promote key messages around stigma reduction, help-seeking, supportive behaviour and kindness.
Reconnect Program
Reconnect is a free program that supports young people aged between 12-18 who are experiencing, or who are at risk of homelessness. Reconnect also delivers presentations around the importance of healthy and respectful relationships.
In 2022, the Reconnect team visited Flinders Island District High School to deliver several Healthy and Respectful Relationships workshops, which focused on students identifying aspects of healthy and unhealthy relationships, what ‘red flags’ in a relationship are, gender stereotypes and setting healthy boundaries in relationships. Practitioners also facilitated discussions about different forms of abuse within relationships to highlight that physical violence is not the only type of abuse, which is a common misconception in young people.
The workshops led to student engagement and valuable learning experiences. Students engaged in a variety of ways throughout the workshop, including group discussions, worksheets which encouraged critical self-reflection, and completing peer activities. Students were able to apply the content which was delivered by Reconnect workers to their own relationships, allowing them to gain insight into what is healthy and unhealthy within a relationship. Students were also provided with resources such as phone numbers and websites should they require support in the future.
Our Reconnect team’s involvement on Flinders Island has also provided senior students with crucial support during their transition to college and moving out of the family home, particularly in situations where local family support and social networks are lacking.
The collaboration between Flinders Island District High School and Reconnect has resulted in a strong working relationship, ensuring continuous support and networking opportunities for young people. The workshops will be held regularly across all groups at the school, with two trips scheduled in the coming months to further strengthen the partnership and our presence on Flinders Island.
Aboriginal Cultural Connections Program
The Aboriginal Cultural Connections (ACC) Program is a free, culturally-sensitive counselling and community development service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander couples and individuals. This service is offered in-person, two days a month on Flinders Island at the Multi-Purpose Centre and the Flinders Island District School.
Due to the intimate and tight-knit nature of the community, our service provides a private and confidential space for individuals to explore their emotions with someone who is outside of their community circle.
Over the past year, the ACC team has collaborated with businesses, councils, hospitals and other visiting services to create awareness around the range of supports that we can provide to residents on Flinders Island.
The team had a great time attending the annual Flinders Island Show, which was another opportunity to expand our reach within the community.
A couple who engaged in ACC and then accessed general counselling services at RA Tas reported developing a better understanding of each other and communicating more effectively. During this period, the family has grown; they have opened a business, created new friendships, and settled into island life with ease.
We look forward to continuing our work on the islands well into the future.
Due to the intimate and tight-knit nature of the community, our service provides a private and confidential space for individuals to explore their emotions with someone who is outside of their community circle.
The team had a great time attending the annual Flinders Island Show, which was another opportunity to expand our reach within the community.