Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP has today officially opened the Walawaani Youth-Specific Detoxification and Rehabilitation Facility near Batemans Bay.

The Mission Australia – Triple Care Farm South Coast project received $8 million in federal funding from the Community Health and Hospitals Program (CHHP) to establish Walawaani, an alcohol and other drugs (AOD) residential rehabilitation program for young people aged 16-24 in the Batemans Bay area.

The Walawaani facility will offer youth-specific alcohol and drug case management, counselling, and community aftercare, as well as residential living skills, education, and sport and recreation programs. The aim of the facility is to provide a safe and supportive environment for young people to overcome addiction and lead healthy and safe lives.

Establishing facilities like Walawaani in regional communities like East Lynne allows vulnerable younger people to receive treatment and support for alcohol and drug misuse close to their homes.

“We know that supportive environments are critical to achieving lasting positive results for those dealing with addiction.”

“Local young people deserve to have good quality facilities located in our communities to give them the best chance of recovery and I am proud to be supporting that with $8 million from the Australian Government,” Fiona Phillips said.

Establishing this facility is an important step towards ensuring our younger community members are supported throughout their recovery journey – and can safely return to the community and their everyday lives.

"The name Walawaani, meaning 'We hope you have a safe journey,' or ‘we hope you have a safe journey home’ is a significant and powerful reflection of the role of this facility. It represents the journey of recovery that the young people staying here will take,”  said Fiona Phillips.

The facility’s name, has local significance and was used to reflect the journey that patients will receive during their stay. Mission Australia liaised with the Aboriginal community in the Batemans Bay area, including with Dhurga linguists, and the name has also received the blessing of the Walbunja Elders.

Fiona Phillips also stated, “I am delighted to open the Walawaani youth-specific detoxification and rehabilitation facility today, giving young people a safe place to overcome addiction and lead healthy and safe lives. I commend Mission Australia’s commitment to fight substance dependencies in our communities and empower young people to seek help.”

The opening was attended by Fiona Phillips MP representing the Hon. Mark Butler MP the Minister for Health, the Governor General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC, as well as other distinguished guests, community leaders, and representatives from Mission Australia.