Australia Invests $637,000 For Mossman Gorge Wellbeing Centre
The Minister for Indigenous Health and Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon, today announced a $302,000 investment to expand facilities at the Mosman Gorge 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 enhanced meeting and counselling facilities and car parking space.
In addition, the Mossman Gorge Clinic will receive $335,000 to conduct upgrades, such as a new ramp, and support it to meet higher accreditation standards.
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 Centre was established in mid 2008 as part of the Cape York reform trial 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 an overwhelmingly positive response with a large number of people in and around Mossman Gorge are using this facility.
“That has significantly 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 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.”
“The Mossman Gorge Wellbeing Centre continues to evolve as a community hub, and has established supporting groups, for women. It’s called the Marul Marul Murugu Gaday Women’s Group, and for the Elders it’s called the Binga Binga men’s group,” added Mr Turnour.
“I’m pleased the centres also support training and jobs for local people. Five staff, including three Indigenous staff, are employed here,” he said.
Mr Snowdon said the Wellbeing Centres’ success was strengthened by the involvement of the Wellbeing Centre’s Local Advisory Group, which features 13 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 congratulated Royal Flying Doctor Service for operating the Mossman Gorge Centre, and for playing a critical role in providing workforce training.
“We know it’s very difficult to access training in remote areas, but through the ‘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, four of them will come from Mossman Gorge, so that’s very positive for the region,” Mr Snowdon added.
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