Bringing Them Home

Information about the Bringing Them Home program is collected here, together with contact details of Bringing Them Home Counsellors across Australia.

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About the Bringing Them Home Program

The Bringing Them Home (BTH) Program, which supports a national network of counsellors to provide a support service for all Aboriginal people who have been affected (either directly or indirectly) by past government policies and practices regarding the removal of children from their families, is one component of a number of Australian Government initiatives addressing issues related to the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous peoples [1]. The other main components are the Mental Health Program, the Link-up program and the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Regional Centres (SEWB RC) program.

The Bringing Them Home (BTH) Program was established in 1997 as a part of the Australian Government’s response to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s publication Bringing Them Home that reported on the findings of an inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.

The BTH Program supports BTH counsellors to provide counselling to individuals, families and communities affected by past practices regarding the forced removal of children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. There are 100 BTH counsellor positions nationally, situated within Aboriginal community-controlled health services that are run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Australian Government’s initial allocation of $63 million over the four year period 1998-2001, provided:

  • $16m for the BTH Program
  • $17m for education and training, including the SEWB RCs
  • $11.25m for the establishment of a national network of Link-Up services
  • $5.9m for parenting support programs
  • $9m to support Indigenous languages and culture
  • with the remainder to support smaller projects relating to archiving, preservation of records and oral history recordings.

Funding for the BTH Program, the Link-up Program and the SEWB RCs has now been rolled into the base funding of the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA), and is allocated on an annual basis.

For 2006-2007, $24 million was allocated for the four programs: BTH Program, Link-Up Program, the SEWB RCs, and the Mental Health Programs. Of this, $11.11 million is allocated to the BTH Program.

The BTH Program was included in an independent evaluation undertaken by Urbis Keys Young for OATSIH. The report ‘Evaluation of the Bringing Them Home and Indigenous Mental Health Programs’ was publicly released on 9 May 2007. The evaluation found that:

• the Link Up and Bringing Them Home Counselling (BTHC) programs provided services to a large number of Indigenous clients, generally in culturally appropriate ways, who in most instances would not have received services otherwise;
• there is a generally high level of client satisfaction and positive outcomes for clients of the Link Up and BTHC Programs, and Mental Health Service Delivery Projects and a lower level of satisfaction with the Regional Centres;
• there is a significant level of unmet demand for the services, and services are under-resourced for the high workloads currently experienced;
• given the trans-generational impact of forced separation, the demand for services is likely to continue to be at least the same level for the foreseeable future;
• Mental Health Service Delivery Projects have long waiting lists and have limited capacity to respond to clients’ full range of needs; and
• there is a need for greater national consistency in service delivery in each of the programs.

Bringing Them Home counsellors

As noted above, the Australian Government initially allocated $16m over a four-year period for BTH counsellors. Due to additional demand, the initial commitment of 50 counsellors has now increased to over 100 BTH positions allocated across all States and Territories. The vast majority of the BTH counsellors are located in Aboriginal community-controlled health services (ACCHS). Two positions in Queensland (Cape York and the Torres Strait) are located with the Queensland Department of Health.

BTH counsellors provide counselling to Indigenous individuals, families and communities affected by past practices regarding the forced removal of children. BTH counsellors have a broad clientele as they respond to the needs of those removed, those who were left behind, and the children, grandchildren and relatives of all those affected by family separation practices.

The separation practices were widespread and caused emotional harm throughout families and across generations, so entire Indigenous communities are potentially in need of counselling.

BTH Counsellors had 39,300 client contacts in the 2004-05 financial year, up from around 36,700 in the previous year. These figures are probably an underestimate of the actual number of contacts, as data exclude contacts in group work and some services experienced difficulty with the reporting of the number of contacts.

Ideally, each BTH counsellor possesses both formal mental health qualifications and cultural sensitivity skills. This may not always be possible, but it is advisable that both skills are available within a BTH team.

The majority of BTH counsellors is Indigenous, though the proportion has declined slightly over the years, from 72% in 2001-02, to 62% in 2004-05. For 2006-07, 23% of BTH services reported operating without a BTH counsellor. This was a significant decrease over the 29% reported for 2002-03. At least in part, these data reflect the difficulties of recruiting and retaining appropriate counselling staff.

References

1 Wilczynski A, Reed-Gilbert K, Milward K, Tayler B, Fear J, et al. (2007) Evaluation of the Bringing Them Home and Indigenous Mental Health Programs, final report. Canberra: Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

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Publications

Ministerial Council of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (2003)
Evaluation of responses to Bringing Them Home Report: final report.
Hobart: Office of Aboriginal Affairs, Department of Premier and Cabinet
View report (PDF - 985KB)
View website: Ministerial Council for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs

Office of Aboriginal Health (nd)
The Building Solid Families (BSF) Program.
View publication (PDF - 34.9KB)
View website: Office of Aboriginal Health, Western Australia

Wilczynski A, Reed-Gilbert K, Milward K, Tayler B, Fear J, et al. (2007)
Evaluation of the Bringing Them Home and Indigenous Mental Health Programs, final report.
Canberra: Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
View report (PDF - 605KB)
View website: Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

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Contacts: Bringing Them Home Counsellors

A list of contact details for Bringing Them Home Counsellors is provided below. An Australia-wide map of various Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing services is also provided. » View map of services: Bringing Them Home Counsellors

ACT

Canberra

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service Inc.
63 Boolimba Crescent
Narrabundah ACT 2604
Ph: (02) 6284 6222
Website: http://www.winnunga.org.au/

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New South Wales

Airds

Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation
187 Riverside Drive
Airds NSW 2560
Ph: (02) 4628 4837

Armidale

Armidale & District Service Incorporation
100 Taylor Street
Armidale NSW 2350
Ph: (02) 6771 1344

Brewarrina

Brewarrina Aboriginal Health Centre
5-7 Sandon Street
Brewarrina NSW 2839
Ph: (02) 6839 2692

Bourke

Bourke Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service
6 Oxley Street
Bourke NSW 2840
Ph: (02) 6872 3088

Caroona / Tamworth

Walhallow Aboriginal Corporation
Main Street
Caroona NSW 2343
Ph: (02) 6747 4811

Kempsey

Benelong's Haven Limited
2054 South West Rocks Road
Kinchela Creek via Kempsey NSW 2440
Ph: (02) 6567 4880

Moree

Pius X Aboriginal Corporation
Anne Street
Moree NSW 2400
Ph: (02) 6752 1099

Narooma

Katungal Aboriginal Corporation
Community & Medical Services
26 Princess Highway
Narooma NSW 2546
Ph: (02) 4476 2155

Newcastle

Awabakal Newcastle Co-operative
Corner of Samdon and Denison Streets
Hamilton NSW 2303
Ph: (02) 4969 2424

Nowra

South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation
53 Berry Street
Nowra NSW 2541
Ph: (02) 4428 6666

Sydney

Daruk Aboriginal Community Controlled Medical Service Co-Operative Ltd
2 Palmerston Road
Mt Druitt NSW 2770
Ph: (02) 9832 1356

Taree

Biripi Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre
Old Bar Road, Pacific Highway
Purfleet NSW 2430
Ph: (02) 6552 2144

Wagga Wagga

Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation
14 Trail Street
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Ph: (02) 6921 7292

Walgett

Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Co-op
37 Pitt Street
Walgett NSW 2832
Ph: (02) 6828 1611
Website: http://www.walgettams.com.au/

Wellington

Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service
68 Maughan Street
Wellington NSW 2820
Ph: (02) 6845 3545

Wollongong

Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service
150 Church Street
Wollongong NSW 2500
Ph: (02) 4229 9495

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Northern Territory

Alice Springs

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Inc
Gap Road
Alice Springs NT 0871
Ph: (08) 8951 4401
Website: http://www.caac.org.au/

Ngaanyatjarra Health Service
58 Head Street
Alice Springs NT 0871
Ph: (08) 8950 1730
Website: http://www.tjulyuru.com/nservices.asp

Darwin

Danila Dilba Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation
Social and Emotional Well Being Centre
G1 Centre Point Plaza 1st Floor
Darwin NT 0800
Ph: (08) 8936 1777

Katherine

Wurli Wirlinjang Aboriginal Corporation
Social and Emotional Well Being Centre
23 Third Street
Katherine NT 0851
Ph: (08) 8971 2716

Tennant Creek

Anyinginyi Congress Aboriginal Corporation
Stolen Generations Resource Centre
Patterson Street
Tennant Creek NT 0860
Ph: (08) 8962 1114
Website: http://www.aboriginalexperience.com.au/organisations/org_congress.html

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Queensland

Brisbane

Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service Brisbane Ltd
10 Hubert Street
PO Box 8112
Woolloongabba QLD 4102
Ph: (07) 3393 0055
Website: http://www.aichs.org.au/

Queensland Aboriginal & Islander Health Council (QAIHC)
4/28 Gladstone Road
Highgate QLD 4101
Ph: (07) 3255 3604
Website: http://www.qaihc.com.au/

Cairns

Wuchopperen Medical Service Ltd
13 Moignard Street
Cairns QLD 4870
Ph: (07) 4080 1004
Website: http://www.wuchopperen.com/

Cunnamulla

Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health
26-28 John Street
PO Box 231
Cunnamulla QLD 4490
Ph: (07) 4655 8814

Dalby

Goondir Aboriginal Corp for Health Services
PO Box 559
Dalby QLD 4405
Ph: (07) 4662 5684 / (07) 4662 6986
Website: http://www.goondir.com.au/

Ipswich

Kambu Medical Centre Ipswich Inc
27 Roderick Street
PO Box 618
Ipswich QLD 4305
Ph: (07) 3812 3843

Mackay

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Community Health Service
PO Box 1099
Mackay QLD 4700
Ph: (07) 4951 2833

Mareeba

Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre
14 Sutherland Street
Mareeba QLD 4880
Ph: (07) 4092 3428

Mount Isa

Injilinji Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation
8 Burke Street
PO Box 1842
Mt Isa QLD 4825
Ph: (07) 4749 2929

Rockhampton

Bidgerdii ATSI Corp Community Health Service
162 Bolsover Street
PO Box 106
Rockhampton QLD 4700
Ph: (07) 4921 3080

Torres Strait

Torres Strait & Northern Peninsula Area District Health Service
Queensland Department of Health
PO Box 391
Thursday Island QLD 4875
Ph: (07) 4069 1109

Townsville

Aboriginal and Islander Health Service Limited
57 Gorden St
PO Box 7534 G.B.C.
Garbutt, Townsville QLD 4810
Ph: (07) 4759 4000
Website: http://www.tdgp.com.au/taihs.shtml

Weipa

Cape York District Health Service
Queensland Department of Health
Cnr Central & Northern Avenue
PO Box 341
Weipa QLD 4874
Ph: (07) 4090 6262
Website: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/wwwprofiles/capeyork.asp

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South Australia

Adelaide

Nunkuwarrin Yunti Incorporated
182-190 Wakefield Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Ph: (08) 8223 5011
Website: http://www.nunku.org.au/

Aboriginal Sobriety Group
182-190 Wakefield St
Adelaide SA 5000
Ph: (08) 8582 2066
Website: http://www.aboriginalsobrietygroup.org.au/

Coober Pedy

Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Incorporated
PO Box 166
Coober Pedy SA 5723
Ph: (08) 8672 5255

Ceduna

Ceduna / Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service Inc
1 Eyre Highway
PO Box 314
Ceduna SA 5690
Ph: (08) 8625 3699

Mount Gambier

South East Aboriginal Partnership
PO Box 942
Mount Gambier SA 5290
Ph: (08) 8724 7270

Murray Bridge

Kalparrin Incorporated
PO Box 319
Murray Bridge SA 5253
Ph: (08) 8532 4940

Point Pearce

Goreta Aboriginal Corporation
Parry’s Avenue
Point Pearce SA 5573
PO Box 244
Maitland SA 5573
Ph: (08) 8836 7205

Port Augusta

Pika Wiya Health Services Incorporated
PO Box 2021
Port Augusta SA 5700
Ph: (08) 8642 9904
Website: http://www.pikawiya.com.au

Port Lincoln

Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Incorporated
19A Oxford Terrace
Port Lincoln SA 5606
Ph: (08) 8683 0162
Website: http://www.plahs.org.au/

Port Pirie

Mid North Regional Health Service
PO Box 546
Port Pirie SA 5540
Ph: (08) 8638 4500
Website: http://www.mnrhs.sa.gov.au/

Yalata

Tullawon Health Service Incorporated
Yalata
 PMB 45
Ceduna SA 5690
Ph: (08) 8625 6237

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Tasmania

Hobart

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Incorporated
PO Box 569
Hobart TAS 7000
Ph: (03) 6234 0777

Launceston

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Incorporated
182 Charles Street
Launceston TAS 7250
Ph: (03) 6332 3888

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Victoria

Ballarat

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-op
5 Market Street
Ballarat VIC 3350
Ph: (03) 5331 5344

Echuca

Njernda Aboriginal Corp
84 Hare Street
Echuca VIC 3564
Ph: (03) 5480 6252

Geelong

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative
Lot 62 Morgan Street
North Geelong VIC 3215
Ph: (03) 5277 0044

Healesville

Yarra Valley Community Health Service
Shop 2/297 Maroondah Highway
Healesville VIC 3777
Ph: (03) 5962 3429
Website: http://www.easternhealth.org.au/yarra/yvchs.shtml

Heywood

Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation
21 Scott Street
Heywood VIC 3304
Ph: (03) 5527 2051
Website: http://www.wmac.org.au/

Horsham

Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-op
145 Baillie Street
Horsham VIC 3400
Ph: (03) 5382 5033

Melbourne

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-op
186 Nicholson Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Ph: (03) 9419 3000
Website: http://www.vahs.org.au/

Bunurong Health Service / Dandenong & District Aboriginal Co-Op
3 Carroll Avenue
Dandenong VIC 3175
Ph: (03) 9794 5933

Mildura

Mildura Aboriginal Corporation
120 Madden Avenue
Mildura VIC 3502
Ph: (03) 5023 0893

Mooroopna/Shepparton

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-op
Rumbalara Road, via Tollamba Road
Mooroopna VIC 3629
Ph: (03) 5825 2111

Morwell

Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health & Housing Co-op
Cr Collins Street & Buckley Street
Morwell VIC 3840
Ph: (03) 5136 5100

Robinvale

Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-op
1 Latje Road
Robinvale VIC 3549
Ph: (03) 5026 3353

Sale

Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation
117 Foster Street
Sale VIC 3850
Ph: (03) 5143 1644

Warrnambool

Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-Op
Harris Street
Warrnambool VIC 3280
Ph: (03) 5562 9729

Kirrae Health Service Incorporated
Kirrae Road
Purim VIC 3278
Ph: (03) 5567 1270

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Western Australia

Albany

Great Southern Division of General Practice
PO Box 546
Albany WA 6330
Ph: (08) 9842 2797

Carnarvon

Carnarvon Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation
14-16 Rushton Street
Carnarvon WA 6701
Ph: (08) 9941 2499

Bunbury

South West Aboriginal Medical Service Incorporated
167 Spencer Street
Bunbury WA 6231
Ph: (08) 9791 2779

Derby

Derby Aboriginal Health Services Council Aboriginal Corporation
PO Box 1155
Derby WA 6728
Ph: (08) 9193 1090

Geraldton

Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service
PO Box 1689
Geraldton WA 6531
Ph: (08) 9964 3949

Halls Creek

Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation
94 Thomas Street
Halls Creek WA 6770
Ph: (08) 9168 6266

Kalgoorlie

Bega Garnbirringu Health Service
16-22 McDonald Street
Kalgoorlie WA 6430
Ph: (08) 9091 3199
Website: http://www.bega.org.au/welcome.htm

Kununurra

Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
Ironwood Drive
PO Box 216
Kununurra WA 6743
Ph: (08) 9168 1288

Perth

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Incorporated
156 Wittenoom Street
East Perth WA 6004
Ph: (08) 9421 3888
Website: http://www.derbarlyerrigan.com.au/

Roebourne

Mawarnkarra Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
504 Crawford Way
Roebourne WA 6718
Ph: (08) 9182 1519

South Hedland

Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
1 Lefroy Court
South Hedland WA 6722
Ph: (08) 9140 2922

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Last updated: 19 February 2008