First clients are here!!

I am so very proud to announce that we have our first client group engaging with us at Visible Recovery just after Christmas. This for me is where it all starts. This is what this centre has always been all about...helping others. Recovery happens in peoples lives, but initiating recovery is what we specialise in. People always tell us we should stop, and we intend to show them how in this place. I am already working with some of these people and Im pleased to say they are all doing extremely well.  Long may this continue. All the marketing that we have been doing is reaching far and wide, with some of them from afar in SA and interstate. So pleased that it has all started. So grateful.

Last Chance Folks!!

Tonight we are screening The Anonymous People at The Piccadilly Cinema at 7:15pm (Cinema 3). Don't miss the opportunity to get to the cinema and see a great movie for just $10.00!!! Book here for guaranteed seats...

https://visiblerecovery.wufoo.com/forms/the-anonymous-people-december-11-715pm/

Wow!

To be recognised by having a Labor Minister, the Green Party Leader and The Leader of the Liberal party along with several key Liberal Party Members today at our opening meant a lot to me personally. Minister Ian Hunter's speech was very touching indeed, and his recognition of my recovery journey and what I bring to the table was just wonderful, I almost couldn't believe the words he was saying were about me! I felt very proud in that moment to be able to bring this to the fore along with the vision of what we are doing here at Visible Recovery. I am so pleased that my Mum was there to see all of this as well, it was so very important for me, and very healing for the damage that I caused our relationship as a practising addict. Her son has come full circle now, and is on the cusp of what I believe will be some very exciting times ahead for recovery in South Australia.

It also cemented an end to the hard work of rebuilding the premises, and started the process of gaining and forging closer relationships with Government. We want to get our not-for-profit arm up and running in 2014, and they can assist us in getting another recovery centre up and running for the most vulnerable people in the community - the people exiting jail, the long term unemployed, and the people on long term disability pensions due to substance addiction issues.

So, I keep saying it, but I'm a lucky guy. I have had a fantastic day, and feel the milestone being laid as I move into the next  and exciting phase, admission of new clients to our brand new rehab, and the start of our new business ventures in 2014. Awesome.

The Official Opening Speeches

These are the speeches that were delivered by the Hon Ian Hunter (Labor), Steven Marshall MP (Liberal) and Mark Parnell MLC (The Greens SA) on our opening day event earlier today....Ken doing his usual job of great hosting....

Fantastic Opening Day

What a morning that was. I am just so happy with the way the day panned out for us all at Visible Recovery. Sadly, the news crews obviously didn't want to get a good news story, but there you go. It was well received, and we have formed some new and positive relationships with some key Government officials from all parties today. The multi-party support that was shown by Labor, The Liberals and The Greens was fantastic today, and they need to be commended for showing this in the true spirit of bi-partisanship. That in itself is worth it on its own.

From L to R:- Dr Roly Vinci (Medical Director), Hon John Dawkins MLC (Liberal Party Whip), Hon Ian Hunter (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs), Ken Lodge ( Director), Simon Bowen (Managing Director) Duncan McFetridge MP (Shadow Health Minister), Steven Marshall MP (Leader of The Liberal Party and Shadow Aboriginal Affairs Minister),  Hon Mark Parnell MLC (Leader of the Greens SA)

Our "Official" Opening this week

Well I am looking forward to this. I don't quite know how we managed to pull it all of in such a short time, but we did. We have several key politicians attending this event, and it is one where the Labor Party, Liberal Party and the Greens Party jointly open the facility, which is a real result for multi-party support for our venture.

Joining Ken and I on the day, are the ASG (Aboriginal Sobriety Group), The ALT (Aboriginal Lands Trust), The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Ian Hunter, The Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Leader of the Liberal Party, Steven Marshall MP, and the Leader of the Greens Party, Mark Parnell MLC, have all confirmed their attendance and will deliver a short opening speech on the day. They will be joined by Hon John Dawkins MLC, Rachel Sanderson MP and Duncan McFetridge MP, as well as some key personnel from DASSA (Drug and Alcohol Services SA), SA Mental Health, SANDAS (South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services), DEEWR (Department of Employment, Education and Work Relations), and other industry invited guests.

We have informed all of the media, and Channel 7 have already said they would do a story, with Channel 2 sounding very interested as well. The print media have also been invited along, so I am confident that one of them at least will get there with a camera to publicise this much needed service in South Australia.