$536,800 to enhance Hope Vale’s Wellbeing Centre
The Minister for Indigenous Health and Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon, today announced a $536,800 investment to expand facilities at the Hope Vale Wellbeing Centre in Queensland’s Cape York region.
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Joint Release
The Hon Warren Snowdon MP
Minister For Indigenous Health, Rural And Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery
The Hon Desley Boyle MP
Minister For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (Qld)
The Hon Jim Turnour MP
Member For Leichhardt
20 April 2010The Minister for Indigenous Health and Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon, today announced a $536,800 investment to expand facilities at the Hope Vale Wellbeing Centre in Queensland’s Cape York region.
Mr Snowdon, who is visiting the region with Member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, said the funding will provide an additional staff house and space for meeting and counselling facilities.
The funding for the Wellbeing Centre is part of an additional $2.4 million allocated by the Rudd Government for upgrades to four Wellbeing Centres across Cape York, in Coen, Hope Vale, Aurukun and Mossman Gorge.
“The Hope Vale Centre is locally known as Wawu Dabaar Bayan or ‘make the soul better house’, and was established in mid 2008, as part of the Cape York reform trial.
“It was designed to help address concerns from Cape York Elders and Leaders about deteriorating social and economic conditions and it has proven to be popular,” Mr Snowdon said.
“There’s been a positive response, including a recent dramatic increase in female clients and now almost a quarter of the population in Hope Vale are making use of this facility.
“That has increased the demand for services, and has resulted in the need for this extra funding to expand services,” he said.
The Rudd Government has invested $22 million over four years to establish four Wellbeing centres across Cape York, including a $6.6 million contribution from the Queensland Government.
This financial year the Australian Government has also provided more than $3.6 million to support the operation of the Wellbeing Centres.
The Wellbeing Centres are designed to meet the social and emotional wellbeing needs of people affected by or involved in drug and alcohol misuse and related family and domestic violence issues. They provide a comprehensive range of drug and alcohol, mental health, domestic violence, grief and loss and general counselling services.
Families and individuals who aren’t meeting parental and community responsibilities can be referred to the facilities by the Families Responsibilities Commission, setup as part of the Cape York Reform trial.
“In total, more than 500 people are now benefiting from these Wellbeing Centres across the region,” Queensland Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Desley Boyle said.
“These centres are not only about providing services but also about providing a centre for positive community activities.”
Mr Turnour said the Hope Vale Wellbeing Centre continues to evolve as a community hub and is actively engaged in a large number of community development activities.
“There are supporting women’s and men’s groups, which look at traditional methods of conflict resolution and family dynamics. Ten of the 22 members of the recently established men’s group were under 20 years of age.
“There’s also a mental health support group and a Strong Spirit Strong Mind program, and the centre has just enlisted the help of a traditional healer,” Mr Turnour said.
Mr Snowdon said the Wellbeing Centres’ success was strengthened by the involvement of the Wellbeing centre’s Local Advisory Group, which features 18 local Indigenous members.
“These members have to be congratulated for getting involved and developing responses to meet the specific health needs of this local community. This is an extremely positive and invaluable contribution that will ensure the long term sustainability of this community health service.”
Mr Turnour said he was pleased the centres also support training and jobs for local people. Seven staff, including three Indigenous staff, is employed at the centre.
He congratulated Apunipima for operating the Hope Vale Wellbeing Centre, and the Royal Flying Doctors for playing a critical role in providing workforce training.
“We know it’s very difficult to access training in remote areas, but through the RFDS’ ‘Drop the Rock’ program Indigenous staff can train up for a Certificate IV level in Community Development, which can include drug and alcohol and mental health modules,” Mr Turnour said.
“The RFDS is training a new intake of 20 Indigenous staff in May, and a number of them will come from Hope Vale, so that’s very positive for the region,” Mr Snowdon added.
**Photos of every site announced are available, please email: alice.plate@health.gov.au**
Media contacts:
Snowdon 0400 045 999 or 02 6277 7380
Boyle 07 3227 6618
Turnour 0427 737 203
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