New counselling service for people in Kununurra & Wyndham

24/8/96

People in Kununurra and Wyndham will have access to help and support from a new counselling service to be funded by Family and Children's Services.

Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes today announced the department would provide $75,000 a year to a non-profit organisation or local authority to operate the vital service.

The department was seeking requests for proposals from organisations to establish and run the service to be based in Kununurra with outreach to residents in Wyndham.

Mrs Edwardes said a trained counsellor would offer help and support to families, groups and individuals experiencing a crisis or its aftermath.

"People will be helped to understand and deal with their problems and make plans for the future in culturally appropriate ways," she said.

"They will be helped to develop skills to handle or avoid a crisis or difficult situation.

"A great deal of stress is taken out of people's lives when they can manage their relationships and lifestyles well, which is a benefit to them and the community."

Mrs Edwardes said the service would be funded until June 30, 1998.

More information was available from Non Government Industry Services at Family and Children's Services on (09) 222 2618 and the closing date for proposals was September 30, 1996 at 2 pm.

Media contact: Diana Russell-Coote 421 7777