Meet Harry from Warruwi, our gambling support service for Aboriginal people.
Gambling is a problem for many people, affecting individuals, their families and the communities around them. It is a problem among Aboriginal communities too.
For the last six years Northern Rivers Community Gateway has been delivering Warruwi, a service aimed at supporting Aboriginal people, families and communities who are experiencing gambling problems.
Warruwi works with Aboriginal communities throughout New South Wales and is coordinated by Harry, an Aboriginal employee of Northern Rivers Community Gateway. Harry has a wealth of experience in tackling problem gambling in communities throughout the Far North, Mid North and New England regions of New South Wales.
Harry with Vince Jenson Lifeline counsellor in Coffs Harbour
Over the past three years, Harry has been busy from Tweed Heads to Taree and out into New England, connecting with communities that struggle with gambling problems. He has organised a number of community engagement days and facilitated partnerships with many Aboriginal medical centres, health centres, schools and counselling services.
There is already plenty of access to culturally appropriate gambling counselling services in these regions and through Warruwi, Harry is linking them to the people and communities that need them most, particularly those in community and those linked to other support services. The result is increased wellbeing for Aboriginal people, their families and communities Across the Far North, Mid North and New England regions of New South Wales.
Harry with Ballina Men’s Group at Culture Camp in South Tweed Heads
When Harry is out and about, he is often joined by Clubs New South Wales Ambassador Nathan Hindmarsh, who partners with Warruwi to deliver the same message and connect communities to gambling support.
Harry says – “a focus on gambling alone will not fix the problem. What works is ensuring that we focus on the general wellbeing of individuals and their families, because gambling effects all parts of the family in many ways.”
Follow the links below to see some of the previous Warruwi events Harry has organised across New South Wales.
