Useful Mackellar Support Services:

• • Lifeline Northern Beaches - telephone and in-person support to relieve the distress caused by crisis situations.
  • Community Northern Beaches - support for those affected by domestic and family violence, for those experiencing homelessness and for newly arrived migrants and refugees.
  • Northern Beaches Women's Shelter - crisis accommodation, safety and services for homeless women across Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
  • Mental Health Line - provides health and advice and referrals to local mental health services.
  • Suicide Call Back Service - 24/7 telephone and online counselling services to people affected by suicide.
  • Kids Helpline - 24/7 online and phone counselling services for young people aged 5 to 25.
  • The Way Back Home Program - CCNB - non-clinical, practical support in the community for people who have recently experienced a suicidal crisis or attempted suicide.
  • Child Youth Mental Health Service - specialist mental health assessment and intervention to infants, children and young people with moderate to severe and complex mental health problems and their families.
  • Avalon Youth Hub - free local youth and family related support services in the Pittwater region. 
  • Women & Children First - not for profit community-based service for women and vulnerable families, including women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
  • Path2Help - an information and support pathways directory that contains more than 7,000 services nationwide for Australians who may need information for themselves or their loved one about alcohol and other drug use. 
  • Cost of Living Support Services Northern Beaches
  • Youth Mental Health Services on the Northern Beaches of Sydney

Sophie’s Team– Helping the Community

Aged Pension Case Study

A couple in their 70’s faced a challenging situation when the husband's health declined due to seizures and strokes. The wife had to

leave her job to provide full-time care, and the husband was unable to continue working. Delays in processing their aged pension forms left them reliant on their savings, creating significant financial strain.
The husband's need for support increased following multiple hospital stays. After his discharge, he became eligible for a My Aged Care Home Care Package, but accessing it depended on receiving an aged pension. Without access to computers, the couple had to submit documents in person, adding further stress. The wife was often forced to leave her husband unattended during long visits to Services Australia in Brookvale.

Distressed by the delays, she reached out to our office for assistance. Our constituent liaison team immediately contacted Services Australia to advocate on their behalf. This intervention led to a swift resolution, with both aged pensions approved within a week—almost six months after their initial application.

Visa Assistance Brings a Family Together for Christmas

We were contacted for help with a tourist visa. While a constituents sister-in-law’s husband’s visa was approved his sister-in-law had been refused, delaying their plans for a family reunion. With Sophie’s support the new visa application was successfully granted, and the family had their long-awaited and joyful family reunion this Christmas.

Voting in a Nursing home

In a very large nursing home on the northern beaches there had previously been a polling station. The AEC had decided to shut it down but after letters of support detailing how hard it would have been for the residents to all get out and vote it has been reinstated!

Helping Resolve a Long-Standing ATO Issue

A widow had a frustrating, year-long issue with the ATO. She had been trying to access her late husband’s final tax return. After the team's intervention, within just five days, the lady had a call from the ATO confirming the issue had been resolved, and the tax refund was deposited into her account shortly after.