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About

Our History

WRAD Health was born more than 40 years ago out of community concerns about the impact of alcohol and drugs in the Warrnambool community.

Registered as a not-for-profit charitable organisation on January 1, 1986, the organisation started as the Western Regional Association for Alcohol and Drug Dependence (WRAADD) with three staff members, a rented residence and less than 40 clients.

Its name was later changed to Western Regional Alcohol and Drug Centre (WRAD) and more recently WRAD Health to better reflect its broader health services.

Over time, WRAD Health has expanded to support everybody in the community, including pharmacotherapy and more recently with a bulk-billing medical practice to provide accessible and affordable care to the broader community.

WRAD Health continues to expand its range of specialist services including programs in partnership with MIND and South West Healthcare to support people with co-occurring mental health conditions, a dietitian and a visiting psychologist.

WRAD Health is continuing to lobby for a residential rehab centre for south-west Victoria and is seeking to expand services to house integrated health care for the community from a new purpose-built building.

Our Vision & Values

WRAD Health’s vision is to advance the health and wellbeing of all people in the South Western Region of Victoria affected by addictive behaviours.

WRAD Health seeks to promote optimal enjoyment of life for people of all gender, age, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ability, cultural or language background.

WRAD Health seeks to provide comprehensive, holistic support and treatment to individuals and others affected by addictive behaviours and associated issues.

The philosophy of harm minimisation underpins the delivery of all programs offered by WRAD Health and recognises the unique needs of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples and peoples who identify with LGBTIQA+. The harm minimisation principle recognises that people in our society use both licit and illicit drugs, and that drugs can be used in ways that are more or less harmful to individuals, families and society. Harm minimisation offers a number of options designed to reduce the harm of drug use to the user and society.

WRAD Health works in the areas of demand reduction and harm reduction and offer an array of services that fit within these two policy areas of harm minimisation.

WRAD Health values the uniqueness of all individuals and recognises the need to provide a flexible, accessible and acceptable service model to all individuals within our community.

Our Executive Team

Mark Powell

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Chris Kendall

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Alistair Ross

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Dr Sue Richardson

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Our Board

Helen Taylor

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Robert Coffey

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Scott Dickie

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Glenys Phillpot

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Luke Taylor

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Mel Webbers

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Carolyn Monaghan

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Tracey Kol

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Veronica Hughson

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After Hours

Need After Hours Help?

Emergency

Emergency Services
000

Medical

South West Healthcare
55 631 666

Mental Health

SWH Emergency Department
55 631 666 or 1800 808 284

Drug & Alcohol

Directline 1800 888 236
Lifeline 13 11 14