Koori Youth Healing Service - Bunjilwarra

Bunjilwarra Koori Youth Alcohol and Drugs Healing Service is a permanent 12 bed, statewide residential youth rehabilitation service for young Koori people. It is based in Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula and is the first service of its kind in Australia.

Bunjilwarra is available to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people throughout Victoria irrespective of their individual cultural practices, spiritual beliefs and geographic region.

Bunjilwarra aims to give residents tools for lasting change. The program focuses on culturally relevant core interventions that support and respect the values of the Koori community, building on its strengths to provide healing. KYA&DHS adopts a harm minimisation approach that includes relapse prevention, primary health assessment and care, supported behaviour change, art, traditional healing, and the fostering of family and community connections.

YSAS was initially partnered with Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative Ltd to develop the service.  The service transitioned to Ngwala in September 2011.  Ngwala has more than 30 years’ experience in specialist alcohol and drug rehabilitation and outreach support.

Referrals to Bunjilwarra can be made: