Darwin Youth Services

29/10/2026

Something exciting is coming....

We are incredibly excited about the next steps of our eSafety Commissioner funded project, working alongside the wonderful Nja-marléya Cultural Leaders and Justice Group to develop an interactive online safety game/app for young people!

The goal? To create something engaging, culturally relevant and accessible that helps young people explore important topics including:

🚦 Red lights and green lights in relationships

💚 Healthy and unhealthy relationships

💻 Online safety and digital relationships

❤️ Jealousy, manipulation and coercive control

🗣️ Recognising unsafe behaviours and knowing when and how to seek support.

And one of the most exciting parts? The games will be developed in FOUR languages, including English and three First Nations languages that Nja-Marléya directors have chosen. Ensuring young people can engage with these important messages in languages that are meaningful to them.

Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Nja-Marléya staff in Maningrida to unpack all nine proposed Darein Youth Services games, exploring the concepts, discussing what would resonate with young people and identifying what would work best within community.

After plenty of conversations, laughter, feedback and thoughtful discussions, we narrowed the nine concepts down to FOUR games! 🙌

These four concepts will now head back to the NT based developer Dylan from to explore the next stages of development.

What makes this project so exciting is that it isn't simply about creating another online safety resource. It's about working alongside community, listening to local knowledge and ensuring the people who know the young people best are helping shape what gets developed.

A huge thank you to the Nja-Marléya team for their enthusiasm, honesty and willingness to share their knowledge throughout this process.

And of course, thank you to the eSafety Commissioner for funding this exciting opportunity to bring prevention education, technology and community-led design together.

There is still plenty of work ahead, but we are so excited about where this is heading!

Watch this space! 👀🎮

29/10/2026

📊 Measuring impact, not just delivering programs!

Behind the scenes at Darwin Youth Services, we've been working hard alongside to strengthen how we evaluate our respectful relationships and domestic and family violence prevention programs.

Our team has been undertaking coaching and professional development all year, to build our skills in collecting meaningful data, understanding student knowledge, and measuring attitudes and intentions around respectful relationships.

This week at Darwin High School, we've been collecting student surveys to better understand what young people know, what they believe, and how they intend to respond to situations involving respect, boundaries, consent and unhealthy relationships.

Because delivering prevention education is only one part of the picture. We also need to understand whether our programs are making a difference.

These surveys help us identify changes in knowledge and attitudes, recognise areas where further learning is needed, and continue refining our programs based on evidence and the voices of young people themselves.

A huge thank you to the Impact Institute for their ongoing coaching, guidance and support as we strengthen our evaluation processes.

And a very big thank you to People, Sport and Culture for funding our program delivery at Darwin High School and supporting this important prevention work. ❤️

We are committed to doing more than simply showing up and delivering sessions. We want to demonstrate impact, learn from the results and continue building prevention education that genuinely makes a difference.

28/10/2026

What a fun afternoon reading The Wise Brolga and the Digital Dingo in Paradise with the wonderful Nja-marléya Cultural Leaders and Justice Group staff.

We spent time reading through the story together, practising how to deliver it and exploring ways to bring the characters to life before staff share the resource with students at Maningrida College.

And of course, we had to get the puppets involved! 🐕🦜

What staff reported to love most about this resource is just how simple, practical and fun to use it is. You don't need to be an expert in online safety to start these important conversations with children. A storybook, a few puppets, some silly voices and a willingness to have a conversation about online safety can go such a long way.

The story introduces important messages about online safety, recognising unsafe situations, protecting personal information and knowing when to seek help from a trusted adult.

A huge thank you to the Nja-Marléya team for embracing the resource with so much enthusiasm, laughter and silliness.

Want to give it a go yourself?

The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) has made these wonderful resources available for FREE, including storybooks, learning activities and supporting teaching materials.

Visit www.accce.gov.au and search for Wise in Paradise.

And our advice? Get yourself some puppets and have fun with it! 🙌

26/10/2026

🌏 Children's Week 2026 | Celebrating Language, Culture & Identity

This year's Children's Week theme reminds us that every child has the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion. ❤️

At Darwin Youth Services, we recognise how important culture, language and connection to Country are in helping young people feel heard, valued and proud of who they are.

Through our partnership with Nja-marléya Cultural Leaders and Justice Group in Maningrida, we're working towards adapting our respectful relationships resources to incorporate three languages, local stories and culturally relevant learning experiences into online games.

Because every young person deserves to learn, grow and have their voice heard in ways that reflect their culture and identity.

Thrilled to be sharing more in time to come!

23/10/2026

Join Amity Community Services at their Gambling Harm Awareness Week Community Expo and free community BBQ on Friday 30th October.

The expo is a great opportunity for people to connect with local services supporting financial wellbeing and gambling harm minimisation.

20/10/2026

How good is it to finish term four with a whole school approach for year sevens! 🙌🙌🙌🙌

20/10/2026

13YARN's new Text and Type services are live!
Mob can now connect with culturally safe crisis support in the way that feels right for them.
📞 Talk by calling 13YARN 13 92 76
💬 Text on 0447 13 92 76
⌨️ Type through online chat at 13yarn.org.au
No matter how you choose to connect, you'll be supported by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter who is there to listen, yarn and support you.
13YARN. Talk. Text. Type.
Your yarn, your way

We are live!!! SHARE EVERYWHERE!

15/10/2026

As part of their Headspace Day Celebrations - headspace Palmerston are hosting a FREE Movie event tomorrow afternoon at Event Cinemas.

This year’s theme is “Do One Thing” - basically a reminder that looking after yourself doesn’t always have to be a huge thing. Sometimes one small thing that helps you slow down, connect, reset or just enjoy yourself can make a difference.

Young people aged 12 - 25 can get free tickets here and anyone outside the 12–25 age group is still more than welcome to come along and can purchase a discounted ticket for $12 on the day from the cinema.

We’re heading to the Event Cinema Palmerston for headspace Day Palmerston celebrations and the first 100 tickets are FREE for young people aged 12–25 💚

13/10/2026

FREE Napcan Workshops upcoming in Katherine.

For people working or volunteering with children, young people and families.

12/10/2026

A great opportunity to make a difference in the NT community!

Victims of Crime NT is seeking passionate Territorians to join its voluntary Board and help shape the future of victim support services across the Territory.

They're looking for people with a range of skills and experiences who are committed to supporting individuals and communities impacted by crime.

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, please consider getting involved.

For more information or to express your interest, contact Victims of Crime NT on 1800 672 242.