Maayu Mali, which has an indigenous meaning of ‘make better’, received $3 million in funding from the Commonwealth Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy (AIS) earlier in the year.

Previously opened as Roy Thorne House, the centre had to close its doors due to serious issues in relation to operational and financial management practices.

But Moree site manager, Chris Binge, was happy to announce the official reopening of the brand new centre managed by Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Services (WACHS).

“The centre has been opened for about 15 weeks now, just to give everyone a bit of insight the first 10 weeks were all about training the staff, myself included… So we’ve had a pretty intense 10 weeks prior to opening the centre to clients,” he said.

“The past five weeks we’ve been honoured to have clients come through our gates and use our facility.

“Thank you to these guys who’ve also decided to be a part of this big day,” Mr Binge said.

One brave client, Sherima Boney, decided to share her story with the crowd, proudly admitting her journey of being more than seven weeks drug and alcohol free.

“I am a recovering drug and alcohol addict. I like the programs,” she said as she listed all the programs undertaken at the centre, “which help me to prepare for the biggest challenge: when I leave the rehab,” she said.

“I appreciate the staff and support workers who help and support me and the other residents in giving us a great opportunity to have a better life without the drugs and alcohol. 

“Thank you all,” Miss Boney said.

“This is a very special moment in the agenda, it’s a big step for one of our residents to be able to share her journey with you guys. It should be something she should be very proud of hats off to her,” Mr Binge said.

There were also a number of guest speakers present on the day including Aunty Edlo Craigie who did the Welcome to Country, CEO of WACHS Darren Ah See, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Matthew Cleary and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton.

Mr Coulton said he didn’t know much about the issues surrounding drugs and alcohol to begin with, but throughout the years had seem firsthand.

“Addiction to drugs and alcohol causes great distress and difficulties for individuals, families and communities,” Mr Coulton said.

“We all will need to support people willing to make changes to their lives and the Maayu Mali Centre will go a long way to facilitating this support across the Moree region.”

The speakers touched on the partnerships with other local organisations, the drive of WACHS to put Moree on the map with the centre, and the need for services to decrease the drug and alcohol problem in Moree. Mr Coulton also touched on the fact the 12 staff employed were all from the Moree area.

“In addition to this, 90 per cent of the staff are Indigenous making for a culturally appropriate environment,” he said.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator to Hon Nigel Scullion, said the IAS was about funding projects that deliver real outcomes to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

“The Maayu Mali facility will make the community safer and healthier.”

The opening ended with a smoking ceremony of the centre and clients to get rid of the bad alcohol and drug spirits from the area, conducted by Matthew, Brandon and Jerome Priestly.