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Summary | In Detail... | Honouring Special Contributions: Naming Ceremonies

Summary

Originally used as a private home, Moreland Hall was constructed in 1859. Wesley Mission purchased the building in 1922, using it for various purposes including an alcohol withdrawal centre for men, and a residential hostel for young women.

• Dec 1969: Moreland Hall Residential Hostel for girls was closed
• Feb 1970: The property was redeveloped into Moreland Hall Alcoholism Treatment Centre
• 1971: The Charter was widened to include other drug dependencies
• 1972-73: The Methadone program was established
• 1993-95: The hospital was closed and community withdrawal unit opened
• 1994-95: Outreach Alcohol and Other Drug services began
• 1995-96: The lab was accredited, the Education and Training department was established
• 1996-97: Tendering resulted in diversification (Prison drug education, outreach & homebased withdrawal established)
• 1999: The Community Residential Withdrawal unit relocated
• 2000: the Lab was closed, Methadone service ceased, and the youth community residential drug withdrawal unit (Gwenyth Williams House) opened
• 2001: Accreditation was obtained, Registered Training Organisation status was achieved, and new Chaplaincy was commenced
• 2002: Community Residential Drug Withdrawal Unit redesigned and redeveloped, Forward Planning undertaken by Counselling and Support which resulted in the appointment of a Clinical Consultant, and re-structure of the Assessment and Intake System. Web site developed.
• 2003: Projects undertaken to measure client satisfaction and staff views, client relations in residential withdrawal services and the rostering and financial costs of adult residential withdrawal services; evaluation of Gwenyth Williams House conducted (this publication can be ordered via our Publications page); Complex Clients project undertaken to ensure an appropriate long term treatment plan was developed for clients identified as having complex requirements; reaccreditation commenced.
• 2004:
  • Establishment of:
    • Enhanced Playgroup for Drug Using Parents and Their Children project. This is a two-year project funded by the William Buckland Foundation
    • Intensive Support Service (ISS) for clients with complex and multiple needs. This is a two-year pilot project funded by the National Illicit Drug Strategy (NIDS)
    • Hume Young People’s Drug Project in the City of Hume. This is a two-year pilot project funded by the National Illicit Drug Strategy (NIDS)
    • A Student Unit in collaboration with the School of Social Work, University of Melbourne with support from the AER Foundation
    • Art programs developed in the adult and youth residential withdrawal units
  • Moreland Hall was re-accredited under the Quality Improvement Council (QIC) quality accreditation for a further 3 years

   

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In Detail ...

Moreland Hall was originally established in 1970 as the Moreland Hall Alcohol Treatment Centre. While the range of services offered has expanded overtime, the powerful vision that everyone has the potential for wellness, has continued to be central to Moreland Hall's philosophy. When it was established, Moreland Hall offered a holistic approach to treatment that was innovative at the time. The following characteristics were central to Moreland Hall's approach:

• The families of those undergoing treatment were welcomed at the Centre. Spouses were allowed to stay there and family therapy was integral to the programs;
  
• The client's right to choose and to live with the consequences of that choice were respected. Clients were not seen as diseased or ill and therefore to be protected from the consequences of their choices. Discharge from the program was not a punishment for wrongdoing, but a consequence of the client's choosing not to participate in Moreland Hall's treatment approach;
  
• Post-treatment residential support was offered in community houses.

In the early 1970s Moreland Hall's charter was extended to include clients who were dependent on drugs other than alcohol.

In the 1980s new programs were developed including the Drink Driving Program and the Substitute Therapy Program. Three properties in Jessie Street and Hall Street were also purchased. The Health Enhancement Centre was established to focus on community based programs, such as family therapy, community development and personal development therapy, as opposed to the residential programs.

However, despite these developments, the 1980s were a difficult time for Moreland Hall. There were changes to health care funding and finances were tight. As revenue declined the buildings fell into disrepair. In 1987-88 a review of Moreland Hall resulted in a major restructuring. Staff retrenchments and loss of funding meant a reduction in service options and low staff morale. The Rehabilitation Program was closed but on a brighter note a new wing was opened for the Substitute Therapy Program.

The 1990s have seen the gradual rejuvenation of Moreland Hall. An increasing clarity regarding Moreland Hall's mission and its future has developed. Government policies towards the funding of health and community services have changed. In the mid-1990s, Turning the Tide, the Victorian State Government's response to the problem of drugs, was announced. This provided additional funding for drug education and treatment. Moreland Hall has been able to take advantage of these opportunities to diversify. Its range of programs and services now include:

• withdrawal services;
• programs for the justice system;
• counselling to those who use drugs and their families; and
• education and training to the community and to professionals whose work brings them into contact with those who use drugs.

From small beginnings, Moreland Hall has become an important service provider in the drug treatment service field.

If you are a previous client of Moreland Hall's various stages of development, and you wish to tell us a story or describe your experiences at Moreland Hall, contact us, and we may publish your comments.

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Honouring Special Contributions
Naming Ceremonies

Gwenyth Williams House

UnitingCare Moreland Hall's Youth Residential Drug Withdrawal Unit, Gwenyth Williams House, was opened on Tuesday 13th June 2000. It was named after Gwenyth Williams, a former Board of Governance member with an incredible record of 30 years service to Moreland Hall.

Gwen is a special person from a very gifted family, who is an appropriate namesake for this very important service.

Moreland Hall was set up at the request of the Methodist Conference in 1969 and Gwen was asked to join the Committee of Management - no doubt because of her commitment to social justice and her wide experience in nursing administration working in the Hospital and Charities Commission, in hospitals and Schools of Nursing as well as her experience in university administration.

Gwen was a valued member of the Board for 30 years, serving on many of its committees. For several years during the 1970's and 1980's Gwen was chairperson of the Board Of Management as it was then called. Throughout the 1990's Gwen convened the Programs Committee. In that role she worked closely with the Executive Director and the Program Managers overseeing the improvement of existing programs and developing ideas for new programs.

Gwen is still keenly interested in the welfare of people, particularly the young, and feels it a great privilege to be associated with the ongoing work of Moreland Hall.

Jack Hoadley Hall

Jack Hoadley, a former Board of Governance Chairperson for 9 years, and board member for 10 years, was honored in December 2001 with the naming after him of the hall within the Moreland Hall grounds at 26 Jessie Street, Moreland. The hall was recently restored, including being fully painted and floorboards polished to their original condition.

Jack's time on the Board saw radical changes at Moreland Hall. During his time on the Board, Jack proved to be not only a natural strategist but also a much admired and supported leader. Jack's experience in senior leadership roles at RMIT gave him an understanding and ability to plan change and carry the Board of Governance members with him. Jack had a great ability to motivate and get others involved in projects so that they contributed the very best they had to offer. Jack has always helped and encouraged suitable people to become part of the Governance Board and provided much ongoing support to Board Members and Executive Directors, and encouragement to Moreland Hall staff. This was recognised and appreciated by all those who worked closely with him.

Jack Hoadley Hall will be used for various activities, including youth group work plus art and activities groups for clients of the youth residential withdrawal service, Gwenyth Williams House.

Lesley-Anne Curran Place

On 1st April 2003, UnitingCare Moreland Hall's Community Residential Drug Withdrawal Unit was named after the late Reverend Lesley-Anne Curran. Lesley-Anne joined the Board of Governance in April 1998, and during that time served on the selection committee for the Executive Director position and contributed her own particular brand of warmth and humour to proceedings. Lesley-Anne resigned from the board in September 2000, a difficult year for her, governed by a number of months' illness and a long convalescent period. She remained in touch with UnitingCare Moreland Hall through her work in prison ministry.

Dominique Saunders, Chairperson, welcomed all to the naming ceremony. The Reverend Alistair McCrae, Moderator, Uniting Church in Australia, gave an official opening address. Kelvin Anderson, Correctional Services Commissioner, reflected on a valued colleague. Barry Curran responsed on behalf of the Curran family. Reverend Graham Morris provided a reflection and Janet Farrow gave a vote of thanks.

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