Families in the Portland district will soon have greater access to group programs aimed at building resilience, confidence and wellbeing, thanks to a new partnership between Brophy and Alcoa Australia.
The $130,000 commitment by Alcoa and Portland Aluminium will support Brophy to deliver the Resilient Families Project in 2026.
This includes the Who’s In Charge and the Shark Cage programs, which are designed to empower families in the region with practical tools and supportive spaces to strengthen relationships, increase safety, and navigate challenges.
In 2024, Brophy delivered the Who’s in Charge and Shark Cage programs in the Warrnambool region to foster positive outcomes for individuals, families, young people and the broader community.
Brophy Executive Manager – Family & Individual Support Services Donna Wynters said the project was about creating lasting benefits for the Portland community.
“These programs are about giving families the opportunity to feel stronger, safer and more connected,” Ms Wynters said.
“Thanks to Alcoa’s support for the project, we can now offer these programs in the Portland area to strengthen families and enhance resilience.”
Alcoa Australia Portland Aluminium Operations Manager Werner van Schalkwyk said the project provided an opportunity to support Portland families in need.
“We’re really proud to support Brophy and the Resilient Families Project and in turn ensure an invaluable service is provided to the local Portland community.”
“It’s so important that we continue to give back to organisations and initiatives that sustainably improve our local community.”
The Who’s In Charge program runs over eight weeks and offers support to parents and caregivers to navigate the teenage years by providing a safe space to share experiences, explore healthy boundaries, and reduce feelings of isolation, shame and guilt that many parents face.
Shark Cage is an eight-week, evidence-based program designed to support healing and empowerment for women who have experienced abuse, such as family violence or sexual assault. It combines trauma education with practical strategies to:
- explore healthy relationships
- boundaries and communication
- strengthen self-worth
- mind-body connection
- self-care increase awareness of human rights and the ability to identify potentially abusive behaviour
- shift feelings of isolation, self-blame, shame and guilt
You can find more information about these programs at brophy.org.au.
Brophy media contact
Nick Ansell, 0492 995 868, nansell@brophy.org.au
Alcoa media contact
Anna Impey, 0404 800 193, anna.impey@alcoa.com