Christine Couzens MP, Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples and Treaty, officially opened the newly expanded and refurbished Yoowinna Wurnalung Aboriginal Healing Service (YWAHS) at Lakes Entrance last Tuesday.
Chief executive officer Daphne Yarram said she is delighted the Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program’s funding has fostered a safe haven for the local Aboriginal community.
“The upgrades to the Yoowinna Wurnalung Aboriginal Healing service head office, supports the needs of community and celebrates their strengths whilst providing a safe environment for individuals and their families throughout their healing journey,” Ms Yarram said.
“The space also allows community to connect in culture and safe ways to enable important prevention work.”
In East Gippsland and Wellington Shire, where family violence is consistently high, providing safe support for the Aboriginal community is vital.
The newly designed space is the head office of YWAHS and now has dedicated spaces for intervention and prevention activities, meetings and gatherings, office space for growing staff numbers and most importantly spaces for community to come and support their healing journeys.
After morning tea and speeches from key members of YWAHS and Ms Couzens, all enjoyed a guided tour of the new facilities.
YWAHS provides pivotal wrap around support for individuals and families that are affected by family violence. This includes clinical services such as counselling, case management, men’s support services and a range of therapeutic supports through to prevention programs such as women and men’s groups, school transitions and support for young people and Elders.
