Walawaani is a Dhurga word meaning “safe journey”. It’s also the name of Mission Australia’s new youth residential rehabilitation facility in Batemans Bay on the South Coast of NSW.
On Friday February 24, 2023, Foundation staff, donors, and the Martin family attended Mission Australia’s official opening of Walawaani. Based on the Triple Care Farm model, the program aims to help young people, aged 16 to 24, manage their recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.
The new facility is based on 17 acres of bushland and is a space where youth in crisis can be nurtured through rehabilitation and given the best chance to break the cycle of addiction. Over the course of 12 weeks, young people receive medical care and psychosocial skills, counselling and case management as well as living skills and vocation and educational training.
The opening ceremony featured a powerful Welcome to Country from Roderick Slockee of Walbunja and Minjungbal heritage, a local man who shared the story of his people, and of the surrounding Country and Land that we were gathered on to celebrate. He also shared how important it is having services like this available to young people in the Batemans Bay region, so that they can receive help closer to home.
Walaawani was then officially opened by the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Hurley. The event was hosted by Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister, Chairman Ian Hammond and Executive of Community Services Ben Carblis. As part of the proceedings an official plaque was unveiled to commemorate the opening of the new facility.
During the ceremony, Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister said,
“When a young person experiencing illicit drug or alcohol abuse is motivated to seek change, appropriate rehabilitation facilities like Walawaani must be available. There is a growing demand for such services, and we hope these service models can be expanded to other locations, including in rural, remote, and regional areas. This wonderful new facility will provide the young people with the support they need, when and where they need it.”
Walawaani welcomed its first residents in early February and there were three young people onsite, starting their rehabilitation journey at the time of the opening. With a 10-bed capacity, more young people will be making their way to the new facility in the coming days.
Sir David Martin Foundation supports the Triple Care Farm Walawaani campus by funding a full-time qualified Aftercare worker, as part of our national Youth Network. This means that each person who completes the program has a dedicated youth worker supporting their reconnection with family or community networks, healthcare, education, and importantly, employment opportunities, as they transition back into the community.
This crucial period of support underpins a brighter future for each young person, free from the pitfalls of addiction and offering safety, hope and opportunity.
This September Sir David Martin Foundation will launch the inaugural Youth Recovery Month to create community awareness and greater understanding of the complexities faced by young people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
We know that prevention and getting the right help early gives young people a much better chance of going on to lead a full and healthy life. Leaving judgement aside, the respectful promotion of this health and social problem will inform and educate the public and spread the word that investing in our youth is vital for our future.
During Youth Recovery Month we will:
Challenge views
Our new online fundraising campaign, Reset Challenge, seeks to challenge and broaden perceptions about youth recovery by highlighting the importance of forming new and sustainable behaviours. We know it takes 30 days to form a healthy habit. What part of YOUR life can you reset this September?
Inform and educate
Collaborate
The Foundation will bring together key players in the field of youth drug and alcohol treatment in a series of roundtables to discuss what more can be done to address the needs in our community.
** This event has now concluded. See here for upcoming events**
Join us for a Virtual Winter Country Lunch on Thursday 30th July, hosted by Anna Beaumont from Sir David Martin Foundation.
This is your unique opportunity to ‘visit’ Triple Care Farm and meet some of the amazing individuals who provide life changing care and support for our young people in crisis.
You will be joined online by Triple Care Farm program manager, Gabriella Holmes and Nurse Educator Clinical Leader, Beth Horne from the David Martin Place Withdrawal Program. Together they will share latest updates and insights from the Farm and engage in a lively Q&A with attendees.
About Triple Care Farm
Triple Care Farm is a unique, holistic drug and alcohol treatment centre, which gives vulnerable young Australians, aged 16-24, a safe place to get well and prepare for new opportunities. The program includes withdrawal, rehabilitation and aftercare services.
Winter Country Lunch
DATE: Thursday, 30th July 2020
TIME: 12pm –1pm
ATTEND: simply fill in the Registration Form below. Once registered you will be emailed a link to join the event via Microsoft Teams on the day.We look forward to ‘lunching’ with you all!
Please register below: