Getting down to business, and speaking from lived experience. An exciting decade for Australia as the world watched our bicentenary celebrations via satellite, the 80s were an era of great innovation and productivity for PRA.
Excitement surrounded Sydney’s new Centrepoint Tower, and a first for the mental health sector as we gave a former patient with lived experience of Chronic Schizophrenia the stage to address delegates at our 1982 National Psychiatric Rehabilitation Conference. We know the power of sharing our stories and continue to give these a platform via our website, publications and Let’s Do Lunch webinar series. The launch of two successful social enterprise ventures by 1989, Buckhouse Graphics (which produced our 50th anniversary publication, pictured) and Practical Designs, set a standard for the thriving portfolio of Community Businesses Flourish Australia is known for today.
1981 – Country Living residential youth program
In ’81, a Country Living residential youth program and Agricultural school took inspiration from initiatives in Belgium and the US, showcasing the therapeutic benefits of simple rural living for mental health recovery.
1984 – A link to life after admission
The essence of PRA’s highly successful Hospital Transition strategy was providing people with a soft place to land, where freedom of choice was offered in contrast to the pressure of “must succeed” values. A dedicated Support Worker connected with the person in hospital to assist with discharge and transportation to a warm and friendly experience of Buckhouse and the various programs and supports available to them.
1985 – Sanctuary for women and children
Supporting mums with mental health issues to break the cycle of family violence was an important part of Flourish Australia’s vision and mission. In 1985, we opened Charmian Clift Cottages in Doonside to set the wheels of Flourish Australia’s Women and Children’s Program in motion, offering highly specialised services in secure accommodation with 24/7 support to keep the family unit intact throughout recovery.
Each cottage was named after a woman with a passion for social justice. Following in their footsteps, many of the young mums who enter our program come out on the other side with a fire in their belly to advocate for other women.