For a decade, mediators at Anglicare’s Family Relationship Centres on the South Coast have worked to settle disputes outside of court, leaving 4500 locals in a stronger position financially and emotionally.
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At a party in Nowra to mark the centre’s 10-year anniversary, Anglicare Nowra Family Relationship Centre manager Carolyn Bateman reflected on the frailty of many in the local community.
“This number, 4500, translates into people whose hopes and dreams are broken and who are hurting, guilty, betrayed, confused and grieving,” she said.
“We sit with them as they share with us intimate details of their relationship, of their hopes and fears for their children.
“We walk the tightrope of supporting them as hurting adults going through an enormously difficult period of their life and yet challenging them as parents to focus on their children.”
When required, counsellors act as a conduit between kids and parents.
“It allows for children to not be silent witnesses but to have an active role in the decisions that impact on their lives,” Mrs Bateman said.
She reflected on the sad fact that so many people needed this community service.
“I would be grateful if funding ceased for this program because 4500 people no longer need this service,” she said.
“But there are systemic issues in our society, an obsession with alcohol, drugs and gambling, the increase in mental health issues, domestic violence, lack of support for the unemployed and homelessness.
“The work that we do is done out of a desire to mitigate these sometimes insurmountable problems.”
Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis shared a personal story about her parents’ separation, and said the service would have been valuable to her family at that time.
The organisation has centres in Nowra, Ulladulla, Moruya and Bega.
