Last Friday was no exception, when Perth Rotary visited the Nyoongar Outreach Centre as part of our Vocational Program.
Nyoongar Outreach Services (NOS) (formerly Nyoongar Patrol Systems) is a not for profit, incorporated Aboriginal controlled organisation, that has provided diversionary mediation and engagement for Aboriginal youth and people within the Northbridge and Perth CBD areas since 1997.
NOS operates outside the normal working hours of welfare services and aims to provide ‘street level’ early social interventions to Aboriginal people who are at risk of self-harm, low level violent behaviour, entering the criminal justice system, homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues. NOS focuses on the support of unsupervised youth frequenting the night precinct and who are likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system; transporting these persons to safer places is part of its core mission.
The vocational visit was a valuable insight into the operations of the Nyoongar Outreach Centre. Maria and her team run a lean machine, with the focus of their activities on providing operational services to the Aboriginal People in the inner city area and beyond.
We are appreciative of Maria McAtackney and her team of workers who strive to make the streets of Perth a safer place for Aboriginal People, particularly the Youth, who are the future.
Following the vocational visit, members and guests retreated to the Brisbane Hotel for a quick lunch and some fellowship. Conversation was lively and better informed following the visit. We look forward to seeing what synergies and outcomes may emerge from the first Vocational visit for 2020/21 Rotary year .
