About Us
Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Services and Outreach Support Programs for Koori Men, Women and Families.
Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative Ltd (Ngwala) has been a key service provider
offering specialist alcohol and drug rehabilitation and outreach support
services to Aboriginal communities in Victoria since 1975. Ngwala Willumbong is Pitjantjatjara for "Dry Place".
Through the responsive leadership from the Board of Management and the
specialist staff, Ngwala is able to provide a high quality service to
the Aboriginal community that is outcome focused. Ngwala is staffed by
a multi-disciplinary team of professionals including alcohol and drug
counselors, social workers, family support workers and youth workers.
By providing best practice services Ngwala aims to create the environment for positive change for people whose
lives have been affected by drugs and alcohol through a holistic approach
which recognises the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of our people.
The alcohol and drug rehabilitation services continue to provide the best
possible environment for people using the residential services to reach
their full potential. The Outreach Services offer support for people leaving
the rehabilitation programs and for people in the community suffering
from the effects of substance misuse.
Ngwala has developed and will continue to develop appropriate alliances
and partnerships with specialist alcohol and drug agencies to foster best
practice in service delivery.
Ngwala receives funding from both the Commonwealth (Office of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Health), Aboriginal Hostels Ltd and the State
Government (Department of Human Services) to deliver rehabilitation and
a range of outreach support and referral services to Aboriginal communities
throughout Victoria.
Further information about how to access staff in these areas should be
made by contacting the main office located in Wellington Street, Windsor.
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The values upheld by Ngwala Willumbong include:
A Client Focus:
provding an environment of positive change for aboriginal people affected by drug and alcohol to reach their full potential
Respect:
acknowledging the very great worth of all people and treating them with dignity
Integrity and Accountability:
honest, open and transparent actions and decisions. We treat all people with dignity and respect.
Holistic:
includes physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing, through a range of culturally relevant approaches
Participation:
includes active communication and listening, and meaningful input into ideas and developement
Quality:
provision of high quality professional services and achievement of excellence through continuous improvement
Collaboration:
creating partnerships and working with others to achieve best practice for Aboriginal people
Quality Service:
We strive to provide a holistic and professional service to our clients.
Leadership:
Ngwala will continue to create the best possible environment to help Aboriginal
people who use our services to achieve their full potential.
Partnerships:
We work with Koori and mainstream agencies to foster best practice services
for Aboriginal people.
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Ngwala started its operations from a rented house in Burnley, moved to Princess
Street, St Kilda and co-located with Galiamble at 10 Mitchell Street in
St Kilda in 1977 after obtaining a grant to purchase the property from the
Commonwealth Government.
The administration and support services of Ngwala Willumbong moved to their
current location at 93 Wellington Street in Windsor in 1994. The main focus
of the operations out of this building are to house the operational and
support services, funded by various grants received from State and Commonwealth
Departments.
With the success of Galiamble over the years it was recognised that Koori
women also needed access to culturally relevant and specific alcohol and
drug rehabilitation support services. Winja Ulupna was set up in 1982 and
started operations out of a rental property in Brunswick. They moved to
their current location at 14 Charnwood Crescent in St Kilda in 1984.
Ngwala Willumbong receives funding from the Office of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Health and the Department of Human Services and
Aboriginal Hostels Limited.
Ngwala Willumbong is widely recognised throughout Australia and receives
requests from clients in other States and Territories to enter programs
run by its various operations.
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