About Us

Baroona Healing Centre is an initiative of the Njernda Aboriginal Corporation.

Those admitted to Baroona are some of the most complex, vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in Victoria. Our clients present with multiple complex issues and experiences including trauma and PTSD, poor physical and mental health, low levels of self-esteem and self-worth, poor school attendance, homelessness, family violence, family breakdown, racism, disconnection from culture, and inter-generational trauma.

Our healing program is a 16 week journey by the young person to overcome their drug and alcohol abuse. They do this by identifying their strengths, networks, cultural identity and sense of belonging in a supported environment.

Our aim is to assist each young person in our care to connect to community, skills development and employment.

Our Vision

“To empower our young men with a sense of awareness of self, spirit and culture, to bring their body, mind and spirit back into balance.

To provide a safe and culturally specific healing environment for young Aboriginal people in the Echuca and surrounding areas, to address their drug and alcohol abuse issues through access to a range of contemporary and traditional healing programs, services and activities.”

Our Objectives

Create a safe environment for young people, so they can address the issues leading to their substance misuse
Empower young people by helping them identify their strengths, cultural identity, sense of belonging, and build hope for the future
Role model healthy relationships, healthy life styles and cultural pride
Provide the opportunity for young people to learn new skills (daily living skills, self-regulation and work skills)

Our Values

Baroona embraces the advantages of both contemporary and traditional wisdom and treatment, and strives to provide a healing opportunity that:

Repsects the individual needs and differences of all participants
Respects the differing values, spirituality and beliefs of participants
Provides holistic treatment and care to all participants equally
Respects each participant’s right to access a range of programs, services and activities that may promote and enhance their spiritual, social, physical and emotional wellbeing
Encourages and promotes the participant’s connection to family, community and culture
Promotes the concept of healthy body, mind, heart and spirit in all aspects of the healing activities
Provides access to a range of professional, cultural and traditional healing programs, services and strategies including doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, cultural education programs and traditional ceremonies