A purpose-built 28-bed centre providing specialist alcohol and other drug treatment for the Wide Bay community officially opened on 26 March 2025.

Funded by Queensland Health, the new Bundaberg adult residential rehabilitation and withdrawal service will be operated by Lives Lived Well, offering comprehensive support to individuals aged 18 and over experiencing problematic substance use.

The state of the art centre includes 20 residential rehabilitation beds, an eight-bed withdrawal unit, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a reception area, office space, staff accommodation, parking, a treatment program area, and kitchen and laundry facilities.

Clients will have access to a voluntary, live-in program that includes withdrawal management, rehabilitation, and therapeutic support tailored to individual needs. The service also offers culturally safe care for First Nations people and promotes connection, community reintegration, and healing.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the residential treatment service was a gamechanger to support adults in the Wide Bay region to overcome problematic alcohol and other drug use.

“Making sure Queenslanders can get specialist support when they need it is crucial to their journey from addiction,” Minister Nicholls said.

“Lives Lived Well has strong experience as a provider of alcohol and drug treatment to operate this new Bundaberg centre.

“Their expertise will make a real difference to the long-term health and wellbeing of those seeking help.”

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the new service was essential for the Wide Bay area.

“We know, that with the right care, we can address the complex needs of individuals experiencing problematic alcohol and other drug use,” Mr Bennett said.

“It’s a privilege to stand here today and join our amazing health heroes and Lives Lived Well partners to officially open the service.

“Residential rehabilitation and withdrawal services benefit communities by offering earlier access to more structured and intensive treatment, enabling individuals to make positive behavioural changes and reduce stress on families.

“Lives Lived Well will be working closely with the Hospital and Health Service and other local services and stakeholders to deliver and facilitate the care people need, closer to home.”

Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said the organisation was proud to operate the new residential and withdrawal service.

“We are pleased to have stewardship of this facility and to be able to deliver evidence-based care in such a therapeutic environment,” Mr Giles said.

“Having the right support at the right time can make a big difference in recovery. With this service now available closer to home, people in the Wide Bay region have a safe space to make positive changes and build a foundation for lasting recovery.

If you or someone you know is facing alcohol or drug challenges and lives in Bundaberg or the surrounding Wide Bay region, help is available.

Visit www.liveslivedwell.org.au/our-services/live-in-recover/wide-bay-recovery or call 1300 727 957 to learn more about this service.

We appreciate the patience and support of our clients and community during the temporary closure of some of our offices due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. We’re happy to share that all offices have now reopened.

A huge thank you also to our staff for their dedication and teamwork over the past fortnight. From preparing for the cyclone’s impact to ensuring services could safely resume, your efforts have been invaluable. While services are returning to normal, there’s still some work ahead—remedial cleaning, replacing ceiling tiles, and final repairs.

We know this has been a challenging time for many, and we truly appreciate the understanding and resilience shown by our staff, clients, and the wider community.

If you have any questions about upcoming appointments or need to schedule a time with our team, please call 1300 727 957 or email [email protected]. We’re here to help.

Veterans will soon have better access to the support they need, closer to home, with the Northern Adelaide Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub set to open in mid-2025. Led by Lives Lived Well and funded by the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Hub will provide dedicated wellbeing services and social connection opportunities for veterans, serving defence members, and their families.

On Thursday 6 March 2025, we welcomed Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh, and Federal Member for Spence, Matt Burnell MP, to the future site of the Hub at The Playford Health Hub in Elizabeth Vale. They joined representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and members of the veteran community to tour the site and discuss the critical role the Hub will play in supporting veterans and their families in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

A purpose-built hub for veterans and their families

To ensure the Hub meets the needs of the veteran community, Lives Lived Well conducted extensive market research and worked closely with veterans, ex-service organisations (ESOs), and community representatives. The Playford Health Hub site was selected for its accessibility, connectivity to key services, and welcoming environment.

Located close to RAAF Base Edinburgh, the expansion of the Hub network into Adelaide’s northern suburbs will see almost 11,000 local veterans and families access improved specialist services close to home.

Opening timeline and next steps

• Construction begins this month.
• Final approvals and fit-out will follow.
• The Hub is expected to open in late June or July 2025, pending approvals.

Lives Lived Well would like to thank and acknowledge everyone who has supported this Hub establishment so far and all those who joined us last week to mark this milestone. A special acknowledgment to Legacy South Australia and Broken Hill for their support.

You can learn more about the Hub at https://www.liveslivedwell.org.au/adelaide-veterans-and-families-wellbeing-hub/.

For updates on the project, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events, sign up for our Northern Adelaide newsletter.

Lives Lived Well, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by substance use, joins communities worldwide in recognising International Family Drug Support Day on 24 February. This annual event raises awareness about the crucial role families play in supporting loved ones affected by alcohol and drug use.

Since its inception in 2016, International Family Drug Support Day has grown into a global movement, reinforcing the message that supporting families improves outcomes. The theme for 2025 – “Time for Change” – highlights the need for greater awareness, compassion, and access to support for families navigating substance use challenges. It also emphasises the importance of reducing stigma and discrimination, promoting harm reduction strategies, and ensuring that families, carers, and friends have the support they need.

Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles highlighted the need to address stigma and ensure families feel supported in their journey.

“Families play a pivotal role in a person’s journey toward recovery. By providing them with education, tools, and coping strategies, we can create a more supportive environment and improve outcomes for everyone involved,” Mr Giles said.

“At Lives Lived Well, we know that when families are supported, the ripple effect benefits not only individuals but also communities as a whole. International Family Drug Support Day serves as a reminder that no one should navigate this journey alone.”

Lives Lived Well offers a range of evidence-based programs to support individuals and families impacted by substance use across Queensland and New South Wales. These include residential rehabilitation services, withdrawal programs, day programs, and family-focused services like Breakthrough for Families. Some of Lives Lived Well’s residential services also allow parents to stay with their young children, ensuring families can heal together. These include Binbi Family Recovery (Rockhampton), Logan Family Recovery (Chambers Flat) and Elouera (Orange).

“Whether it’s through live-in treatment or other community-based options, our team is here to help,” said Mr Giles.

“We welcome self-referrals, and questions from family members, making it easier for people to access information and support when they’re ready.”

To learn more about Lives Lived Well’s services, or to make a referral, call 1300 727 957 or visit www.liveslivedwell.org.au.

International Family Drug Support Day is coordinated by Family Drug Support. To learn more about International Family Drug Support Day, visit internationalfdsday.fds.org.au. For 24/7 family support, contact the Family Drug Support helpline at 1300 368 186.

-ENDS-

 For all media inquiries, please contact:

Lisa Larkin, Marketing and Communications Manager, Lives Lived Well

E. [email protected]

Today (20 February 2025) we are excited to be hosting the official community opening event at headspace Caloundra, celebrating improved access to mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 12 to 25. Since opening in December, the centre at 3a/67 Bowman Road has already connected with young people more than 150 times through services and support. This opening event recognises the collaborative effort behind its establishment and the vital services it now offers.

headspace Caloundra is operated by Lives Lived Well, with funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and administered by the local Primary Health Network, Country to Coast, QLD.

To mark the occasion, the team at headspace Caloundra will be joined by staff from headspace National, Youth Advisory Committee members, consortium and funding partners, and community stakeholders from 3pm to celebrate this milestone and recognise the centre’s role in supporting local young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The community event includes tours of the centre, as well as cake, pizza, and even a jelly decorating station.

Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said the event is an important opportunity to acknowledge the collective effort that made the new service possible.

“We are proud to provide a dedicated space where young people can access free and confidential support, helping them navigate life’s challenges and take positive steps towards their wellbeing,” Mr Giles said.

“Since we opened our doors in December, referrals have been growing steadily, demonstrating there is the need for ongoing youth-specific mental health services in the area.”

The event also aims to promote headspace Caloundra’s services to young people, families, and friends in the community, ensuring more people know where to turn for support when they need it.

headspace CEO Jason Trethowan emphasised the role headspace plays in supporting young people across Australia and the impact that centres like headspace Caloundra can have in local communities.

“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate the official launch of headspace Caloundra, which will provide vital mental health support to young people in the local community. We know that life can be challenging for young people, and having a welcoming, youth-friendly space like headspace Caloundra means they have somewhere to turn when they need help,” Mr Trethowan said.

“At headspace, we know that getting support early can make a real difference in a young person’s life. This centre will play a crucial role in ensuring that young people in Caloundra can access free and confidential mental health support when they need it, without barriers. We encourage any young person who may be going through a tough time to reach out—headspace is here for you.”

headspace Caloundra joins headspace Maroochydore and headspace Gympie as the third headspace service on the Sunshine Coast commissioned by Country to Coast, QLD.

Country to Coast, QLD Chief Executive, Julie Sturgess said the new centre will play an important role in supporting young people to seek help early, closer to home.

“When young people have access to the right support early on, it can make a real difference to their mental health and wellbeing,” Ms Sturgess said.

“headspace Caloundra provides a safe and welcoming environment where young people can walk in, ask for help, and connect with the services they need—without the barrier of needing a referral.”

Federal Member for Fisher, Mr Andrew Wallace MP said, “Today marks a significant milestone for the mental health care of young people living in the South of the Sunshine Coast.”

“The opening of headspace Caloundra is a testament to our community’s commitment to providing the necessary mental health support for our young people,” Mr Wallace said.

“The opening of headspace Caloundra is a significant step forward in addressing the mental health needs of young Australians. I encourage all young people in the region to take advantage of these new services and to prioritise their mental wellbeing.”

Young people aged 12-25 can access headspace Caloundra Monday to Friday by calling 07 5222 4009, attending the centre in person, or referring via the website: headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/Caloundra/.

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Media contacts

Lives Lived Well: Lisa Larkin, [email protected]

headspace National media: [email protected]

Country to Coast, QLD: Ange Baldwin, [email protected]

About Lives Lived Well

Lives Lived Well is a not-for-profit healthcare provider that offers evidence-based services across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. The organisation specialises in supporting people with concerns related to alcohol and other drugs (AOD), mental health, transitioning from corrective services, veterans’ wellbeing and gambling. As well as being the lead agency for headspace Caloundra, Lives Lived Well is the lead agency for headspace Southport and headspace Upper Coomera. Learn more at www.liveslivedwell.org.au.

About headspace

headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. Each year, headspace helps thousands of young people access vital support through our headspace centres in communities across Australia, our online and phone counselling services, our vocational services, and our presence in schools. headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.

About Country to Coast, QLD

Country to Coast, QLD is an independent, not-for-profit organisation committed to building healthy, connected and resilient communities across the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions. We deliver the Australian Government’s PHN Program and partner with health providers and the community to design and commission quality primary care services.