The Charleville community came together to celebrate the opening of Charleville & Western Areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Ltd’s (CWAATSICH) new health and wellbeing centre in November.
The wellbeing centre has been a labour of love over many years for the CWAATSICH team; although in the end, the construction phase was a mere six months.
During the design phase, CWAATSICH CEO Sheryl Lawton said it was important the centre was a user-friendly space for the whole community – not clinical or sterile.
“We want people to feel at ease, comfortable, safe and relaxed in a culturally appropriate and engaging space,” Ms Lawton said. “We want our clients to feel like they are at home.”
Community Elders, CWAATSICH’s Board and representatives from Traditional Owners were on hand to lead the opening ceremony on 29 November.
The fun-filled community event began with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony, followed by the dedication of the building and the launch of CWAATSICH’s new strategic plan.
Other activities included morning tea, music, games and giveaways.
The centre contains a fully equipped kitchen for cooking demonstrations and classes, treatment rooms for visiting psychologists, treatment space for visiting allied health services, and a bush tucker garden.
Funding for the centre came from a capital grant from the Department of Health and Aged Care of $1.3 million and a co-contribution by CWAATSICH of $300,000.
