Also widening their scope, the association is hoping to become a point of contact for the Katherine region and beyond. 

In November of last year, Kalano was approved as a NDIS provider, and in April of this year, made the move to Katherine Terrace. 

“Kalano members come from all over the Katherine region. We have participants in Tennant Creek, Beswick, Barunga… Our spread is quite wide,” Director of Corporate Services and in charge of Kalano’s NDIS program, Great Makunde said. 

“Having a central point in town, these people can now walk in and access the range of services we provide,” he said. 

About 40 people are now benefiting from NDIS support through Kalano, CEO of Kalano Aboriginal Community Association, Graham Castine said. 

And 13 participants are currently involved in the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

“The major role we play is in providing support coordination for people with disabilities, we assist people with community access using an accessible bus we purchased three months ago, so that people who are signed up as participants can get about and visit family in communities,” Mr Castine said. 

“We also assist people in personal and domestic activities.” 

The new Kalano location is a one stop shop for the entirety of the association’s facilities and programs such as CDP, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and community services. 

”We want people to know they can still access the services at the original location, we just now have a new central spot as well,” Mr Castine said. 

“The move has been positive not in terms of cash but in community engagement. 

“Our unique selling point is that we are an Indigenous association which provides culturally appropriate services, we understand where people are coming from,” he said.  

The new office is located on Katherine Terrace, next door to the Katherine Electorate office. 

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