New rehabilitation services to break the cycle of addiction will soon be available in Gippsland, with the official sod turning of the Hope Restart Centre, East Bairnsdale, last Friday.
Representations from across the many areas of support received by the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre gathered on Friday to hear a brief on the journey so far and the expectations as builders prepare the facility’s erection.
The support the project has received from its inception has been significant.
“The thing that has impressed me from day one of this project is the respect we have been shown, when at first it must have sounded like a nutty idea,” Hope board chairman, Peter Down, said.
“But we weren’t put down. We were assisted and directed. We have drawn together a board that is working very hard.
“I appreciate everything everyone has done, in the community, in the press, television, all of those things add up to where we are today.
“I thank Darren (Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester) particularly, for the $3 million in Federal funding, and Tim (State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull) for his work with Minister Foley, who came up to give us running costs, Eric Allen, residential manager for all Odyssey facilities, and Loy Yang B and Alinta Energy, who have come on as founding partners.”
Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, has been a strong local advocate for the project and secured $3 million from the Federal Government to build the centre, which will provide vital services and support for patients and their families dealing with addiction.
Mr Chester said the commencement of works would be a huge relief for local volunteers who had worked tirelessly to see this project start.
“The volunteer committee has been unwavering in its determination to provide this much-needed service for all Gippslanders,” Mr Chester said.
“It is an unfortunate fact of life that drug and alcohol addiction affects many people in our communities and there is a lack of services to help people when they need it most.
“The Hope Restart Centre will provide many people each year with access to alcohol and drug rehabilitation services, reducing the burden on other service within the community.
“The centre will include 29 double rooms, courtyards, group-training rooms, a recreation room and a dining room, making it fully equipped to support people seeking treatment and their families.”
General manager, Loy Yang B, Tony Hicks, said he was excited about participating in the Hope project.
“The amazing thing here is the great work that the board and volunteers have done, and the governments, in getting the centre up and running. The hard work has really been done and it’s a credit to Peter and the board and others who have contributed,” Mr Hicks said.
Loy Yang B will contribute just under half a million dollars over a three-year period to the project.
“We’re looking to put in about $154,000 in the first year for construction. And then, because we wanted a partnership, not just a oneoff injection, we’re also contributing about $168,000 per year, and that equates to exactly three beds each year,” Mr Hicks said.
“The build up is all very important, but its ongoing operation is what it’s all about.”
Odyssey House residential manager, Eric Allen, said Odyssey was always keen to assist with the idea of the Hope Centre.
“Initially, I think, like everybody else when we first heard of this idea, we thought ‘It’s a great idea, but how’s it ever going to come together’. There hasn’t been any significant investment in drug and alcohol either in the federal or state governments for a long, long time,” Mr Allen said.
“I’ve been in the drug and alcohol service for over 30 years and I’ve never heard of federal government tipping in to the extent it has here, and I think it’s fantastic that the federal government can see its way to do that.
“And then with the Victorian Government, with their initiative over the last year and rapid expansion and putting some serious money into the centre is just fantastic.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to touch a lot of people’s lives, a lot of families’ lives for the better.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the centre would increase education and job opportunities in the region.
“The project, which will support 16 jobs during construction and create 32 ongoing jobs, not only provides a crucial service to those who need help but creates opportunities for health professionals and students in the region,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Liberal and Nationals Government is proud to support a centre that will provide essential support and promote a greater community understanding and awareness of alcohol and other drug illnesses and rehabilitation.”
This project is jointly funded by the Federal Government, Odyssey House Victoria, Hope Restart Centre Incorporated and private donors.
PICTURED: Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, Hope Restart Centre executive board member, Peter Down, and general manager Loy Yang B, Tony Hicks, turn the first sod to indicate the commencement of building of the Hope Restart Centre last Friday.