Gunbalanya TEAM Health celebrates

The official opening of Gunbalanya Family and Youth Services (GFaYS) .

The official opening of Gunbalanya Family and Youth Services (GFaYS) was held recently with Top End Association for Mental (TEAM) Health staff, local community members, service providers, and funding body representatives from Department of Social Services in attendance for the celebration.

The event included local bush tucker, contemporary/traditional dance and a barbecue and TEAM Health Youth Support Worker Rodriguez (aka Pin Pin) Wilson organised a contemporary style of traditional dance with some of our clients and other members of the community.

The Gunbalanya Family and Youth Services Coordinator Andrew Wainwright said, “the dance stole the show and even continued with plenty of people joining in well after most of the guests had left”.

This was followed by some barramundi, caught by Lizzie Wauchope, and nail fish being cooked on the coals with the added delight of a file snake also being cooked by local daluk (ladies).

Andrew also said TEAM Health now has a much stronger presence in the Gunbalanya community with the new demountable complex located in Middle Camp.

“It is an essential piece of infrastructure that allows the GFaYS program to find, keep and grow our client base,” he said.

“It provides a safe and comfortable place for youth and families to come and talk with our staff and have something to eat or drink, and join in activities such as arts and crafts, movies and games.

“It is centrally located in the community and we have several people coming to visit on a daily basis - it also allows us to hold meetings with other service providers.”

Andrew also wished to thank everyone for the success of the opening.

“We must give a big thank you to all of our Darwin staff who attended for helping out throughout the day and a special cheers must go to Roland from Maningrida for cooking the barbecue on a very hot day.”

TEAM Health has been established in Gunbalanya since July 2013.