ISSUE NUMBER 2 2009 Support that Odyssey House InIn TheThe PressPress has recently received from the Newsletter following donors is greatly Newsletter MacArthur appreciated. Chronicle, The Crivelli Family Foundation Tuesday Mr Alan Farrell March 24, Mr Gary Gerstle 2009 Mr Andrew Gray Mr Maurice Green Mr Chris Grubb Mr Michael Hawker Mr Stewart Hindmarsh Ms Sally Loane Ms Susie Lobb Mr Richard Longes

Odyssey Recognition Mallesons Stephens Jaques Mr Paul McCullagh Mr Tony McInerney Mr James Millar Mr Gregory Minton Mr David Mortimer The Murphy Foundation Mr Daniel Musson Mr Jules Nickson Pole Mr Marcus O'Connor MacArthur Ms Audrey Page Sally Loane and Odyssey House resident Jaala Chronicle, Mr Luke Parker Tuesday Hon Peter Philips A.M. April 14, Piobaireachd Pty Ltd MacArthur 2009 Mr Ian Plater RUGBY DINNER Chronicle, Mr Justin Punch Tuesday Mr Robert Rich he Odyssey House Rugby with a dynamic and heart during those crucial moments of January 27, Mr Matt Williams Dinner was yet again warming performance which the series. 2009 Tanother fantastic evening included their rendition of the We wish to thank all in and a low key event on this year’s Rugby theme song ‘World in attendance on the evening who social calendar hosted by long time Union’. contributed to the phenomenal Odyssey supporter Sally Loane. The Odyssey House choir, which fundraising total of over The 300 guests were joined by is made up of residents and some $100,000 on the night. YES! I would like to help Odyssey House assist residents to live a drug free life. members of the 1999 Wallabies staff members, moved the We Thank You! team at the audience with a standing ovation Four Seasons Hotel to celebrate as they sang Hallelujah by Jeff Please find enclosed my donation of: (please circle) $50.00 $100.00 $500.00 or $______the 10th Anniversary of their Buckley. Art Union win. Players included David Enclosed is my cheque / money order made payable to the Odyssey House McGrath Foundation or charge my credit card. The evening’s program was Giffin, , Rod enhanced by a Rugby panel Wrap Up Visa Mastercard Amex Diners Club Kafer, Jason Little, Matt Bourke, hosted by who he Odyssey House and winning reflected upon the Rugby World Card number: ______/ ______/ ______/ ______Expiry Date:______coach . T30th Anniversary Art Cup series with Richard Harry, Union was drawn on Matt Bourke, , Name on card:______Title: (Dr/ Mr/ Mrs/ Ms/ Miss):______Opera group sensation ARYA, Monday 4 May. The made up of six of Australia’s most Jason Little and Rod Macqueen. lucky recipient of the Signature: ______Email: ______talented up and coming young The players and coach relived major prize ‘A trip for two opera singers entertained guests their memories and thoughts to San Francisco flying Address: ______business class with Qantas, including five Telephone:______Facsimile: ______nights accommodation at I would like to pledge $______per month to be deducted from my Credit Card until revoked in writing by me or Odyssey House. the Ritz Carlton’ was Mr R Rich. He was very DONATIONS OVER $2.00 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. PO Box 459 pleased and surprised of For more information on Odyssey House, visit www.odysseyhouse.org.au Campbelltown NSW 2560 his fortunate win. Telephone: (02) 9820 9999 ~ Facsimile: (02) 9820 1796 We thank all of those Telephone: (02) 9820 9999 people who purchased tickets which helped to Please return this coupon and your donation to: Facsimile: (02) 9820 1796 raise over $20,000 for Odyssey House McGrath Foundation, PO Box 459, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560. Odyssey House. www.odysseyhouse.org.au Odyssey House Choir

Visit Odyssey House at www.odysseyhouse.org.au ~ All donations over $2 are tax deductible A message from the A message from the Chairman A Road to RECOVERY Chief Executive Officer

o demonstrate the real Twork of Odyssey House, this column features an Odyssey House resident’s story.

Joseph came to Australia from China with his parents at age five. Cathy Doyle James A. Pitts He grew up in a traditional and average Australian family with hank you to the attendees and supportive parents, and at age ten ome 2500 years ago the Greek Tdonors at our recent fundraising Sphilosopher, Heraclitus opined event the Annual Rugby Dinner he was fortunate to have a new that the only constant was change! held March 20 at the Four Season’s baby brother added to his family. That same concept is very much in Hotel. vouge today at Odyssey House as we An above average student at In difficult economic times we Justin and YAG’s group members Joseph and Ashley embark upon a number of projects to managed to raise over $100,000 on school, Joseph excelled in most of improve our infrastructure while his subjects with aspirations at the enhancing the amenity of the the night due to the generosity of environment. Odyssey guests and friends - thank time of becoming a lawyer - this you indeed! This is a wonderful We have been fortunate to receive effort and the monies will be used Young Adults Group was not meant to be. much needed funding through the to continue to provide the services, Growing up as a teenager in Federal Government’s “Building facilities and resources to ensure the Education Revolution National continued effectiveness of the he Odyssey House ‘Young YAG’s group. Justin said “Hopefully this group Cabramatta Joseph was faced with Schools Pride program”. Our Odyssey programs. many negative influences from his educational unit, the Progressive Adults Group’ (YAG’s) is a “My main objective is to support will assist the youth of the Learning Centre will be the It was such a fantastic event - for T surrounding ‘friends’, at the time group of young people aged 18-25 program to form life long beneficiary of $75,000 earmarked to those of you who weren’t able to the young adults in their journey these people were selling and using replace older equipment and to attend there were great rugby who are currently undergoing to recovery, and to build strong relationships with their peers”. establish a new Outdoor Learning memories shared as we drugs - mainly heroin. rehabilitation. foundations of knowledge and Centre at our Assessment and remembered the incredible 1999 As the needs of our residents By the time Joseph was 14 he Referral Centre. World Cup effort - amongst a lot of The group is specifically designed promote positive alternatives to humour! We had ARYA perform, grow, so do the needs of Odyssey decided to smoke heroin to see At the Assessment and Referral along with our own Odyssey Choir, to cater for the younger people in drug use” said Justin. what it was like. Eventually the Centre renovation work began the House. We were fortunate to first week in May. The project to and a graduate of the Odyssey our residential program to “Many young people turn to addiction and cravings grew until renovate the kitchen and dormitory Parent’s and Children’s program receive funding from the Vincent he was out of control. areas has taken 2 years to come to demonstrated to us all why encourage young adults to drugs as an outlet or to have Fairfax Family Foundation which fruition! This was due mainly to the Odyssey needs to exist and how it actively participate in social events ‘supposed’ fun. Through positive “I started hanging around the heritage status of the site which is helps people gain confidence in wrong people, mainly gangs. By and learn to interact positively peer interaction, social and subsidises Justin’s salary. However, known as Robin Hood Farm. It was themselves as they beat their the time I was 16, I was in juvenile one of the first land grants awarded demons. All of this amongst great without the use of drugs or sporting activities, I simply wish the YAG’s program needs the help to the area in 1838! The renovations food, wine and company…. My alcohol. detention and then jail for various will afford new electrical systems to personal thanks to the amazing to show members of the group, of the community to develop the criminal offences and selling of the dormitory area and an upgrade of organising committee of the event - There are a number of important alternatives to having fun and right tools and equipment to drugs to support my habit” said the heating/cooling system. The it was a wonderful team effort - and kitchen and dining room will receive I really appreciate you all. aspects of the YAG’s group such as living a healthier lifestyle” Justin really assist the youth in the Joseph. a re-fit of all new appliances, repairs learning to have fun and build continued to say. to the floor and ceiling areas and new The Board held its April Board program. When Joseph was 22 and on Joseph is now in the final stage of and would also like to work in meeting at the facility in Eagle Vale positive relationships through parole, he failed two ‘clean drug’ furnishings. We are thankful for the where we heard directly about Almost half of the clients entering the program, he has built a good personal training - to help others to support of the Federal Attorney- interacting with people in the If you would like to become a tests and was given the option to General’s funding through the another great program at Odyssey - Odyssey House are young people strong relationship with his family achieve their goals. the Young Adults program. We all sponsor of the ‘YAG’s’ program or enter Odyssey House for a “Proceeds of Crime Act” as well as same age group. and is now a role model for his know how hard it is to make the aged 18 – 25. It is an important minimum of three months to get “If there is one message I would say that of the Thyne Reid Trust, which transition into adulthood and learn able to assist in any other way, younger brother. made the renovations possible. New staff member Justin part of their treatment process to him self clean. to other young teenagers like my life skills. For those battling such as sporting and camping In other news our Amphetamine addiction who have no support and Famularo is the Youth Recreation learn how to ‘socialise’ in the Joseph decided the best option he Now enrolled in Human Resources brother, it would be that life is Type Substances (ATS Project), “A direction it is a very difficult time. Counsellor establishing the community, a skill that is often equipment please contact us now had was Odyssey House. at the University of Western Treatment Protocol for People This program provides emotional meaningless without the struggles Dependent Upon Amphetamine support, tools and an exercise important foundations of the taken for granted. - you can make a difference! “It was scary at first, every day for , Joseph hopes to complete we need to overcome. We have Type Substances” has been completed. The Treatment Protocol program targeted to the 18 yrs to the first two weeks, I just wanted his degree and work in the opportunities and choices - it’s just 25 yrs age group. The participants to leave” said Joseph. was trialled at 2 therapeutic who addressed the Board were very industry. Joseph also has a renewed about making the right one” said communities, Mirikai, Tweed Heads, New South Wales and appreciative and inspired by the Joseph then realised that the people respect for health and well being, Joseph. program - thank you to the at Odyssey House had a genuine Cyrenian House, Perth, Western Program Coordinator Justin and Australia, in the month of May with the staff at Odyssey for making this interest and investment in him to good results. The Treatment program what it is today! A WONDERFUL RESULTrecover, this is what made him stay. Protocol will be presented at the European Therapeutic Our CEO - James Pitts, and his “Odyssey has helped me change Communities Conference, June 2-5, team continue their great work – he he final stage of the the initial phase of treatment. Odyssey House CEO, James A my views, my values and challenge For further information on any of 2009 at The Hague, Netherlands. can’t do it without your donations these events, please contact marketing We gratefully acknowledge the and support. We have some everything I thought I was” said TAmphetamines Type The findings of this project have Pitts. Diary Dates on (02) 9820 9999 or email support of the Commonwealth’s functions coming up in the next [email protected] Substances Project in consultation Joseph. Department of Health and Ageing few months including Real Men been accepted to be presented at “We are very excited to be able (DOHA) through their Cook lunch - please contact with ATCA members in Australia Joseph now considers his eyes to be Amphetamine Type Substances the European Federation of to make this contribution to Milton Luger One Day Forum - 23 June Odyssey Marketing for and New Zealand has been wide open, and he realises that he Program for the funding for this details…….every little bit of has many opportunities available Real Men Cook - 24 August project. support helps. completed. The project focuses on Therapeutic Communities those residents of therapeutic to him, and the life he can choose We look forward to the continuing May I wish you all a happy and safe the treatment protocol for people conference in June of this year communities who are Smash Tennis - 9 September changes at Odyssey House. They next few months…look forward to to live. will afford all who utilise our services dependent on amphetamine type by ATCA Board members dependent on Amphetamine Goulburn To City Classic - 20 September catching up in the next newsletter. Odyssey House Open Day - 25 October first class facilities. Cathy Doyle substances with particular focus on Lynne Magor-Blatch and Types Substance” James said. James A Pitts, MA Chairman Australian Fund Manager Awards - 29 October Chief Executive Officer

Visit Odyssey House at www.odysseyhouse.org.au ~ All donations over $2 are tax deductible Visit Odyssey House at www.odysseyhouse.org.au ~ All donations over $2 are tax deductible