The Mt Theo Program

Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation (WYDAC)
The Mt Theo Program was started by Yuendumu Community in 1993 to address chronic petrol sniffing in Yuendumu. The program has since broadened in nature and scope to provide a comprehensive program of diversion, treatment, aftercare and youth leadership and development throughout the Warlpiri region. The program is predominantly funded by O.A.T.S.I.H.

Elders of the Yuendumu Community initiated the program in 1993, with additional support from local organisations. The program and community successfully fought petrol sniffing through a dual approach. The first step was the movement of those sniffing petrol to Mt Theo Outstation, some 160km from Yuendumu community. At Mt Theo Outstation, Yuendumu elders cared for the youth, as part of a cultural rehabilitation program. The second step was the introduction of a comprehensive 7-day Youth Diversionary Program in Yuendumu so that the youth would be engaged, interested and challenged by activities outside of school hours.

In 2003 and the advent of no petrol sniffing in Yuendumu (before Opal fuel) the Jaru Pirrjirdi (Strong Voices) Project was also started. As distinct from the ‘sport, recreation and entertainment’ focus of the Yuendumu Youth Program, the Jaru Pirrjirdi project is a youth leadership and development project targeted at former clients and those aged 16-25.

In 2004-5 the Mt Theo Program began working closely with the Willowra Community and its Elders, after an outbreak of petrol sniffing. As with Yuendumu, this involved sending ‘at risk’ youth to Mt Theo Outstation and the development of a comprehensive youth program in Willowra. This approach managed to end petrol sniffing in Willowra, and the youth program continues successfully today.

In 2007 the Warlpiri elders of Kurra Aboriginal Corporation requested that the Mt Theo Program initiate youth programs in Nyirrpi and Lajamanu communities, through the Warlpiri Education Training Trust (WETT). This began in Nyirrpi in late 2007 and Lajamanu in mid 2008. The WETT project also provided additional funds for the Yuendumu and Willowra youth programs. These youth program projects incorporate a partnership with PAW Media with a particular focus on youth media training.

As of 2008, Mt Theo Outstation has taken over 500 young Warlpiri clients from over 14 different communities, including Alice Springs. These clients are all Warlpiri youth and predominantly from Warlpiri home communities. These clients pass through the cultural rehabilitation program and ideally return to the active community youth programs or Jaru Pirrjirdi project. Clients may present with any ‘youth at risk’ issue, not just for petrol sniffing or substance misuse, and are referred by Community Elders, Police and Corrections.

Mt Theo priorities are built into three main areas:

• Mt Theo Outstation (treatment & diversion)
• Youth Diversionary Program (prevention)
• Jaru Pirrjirdi (Strong Voices) Project (aftercare and youth leadership)

The Program has challenged a generation destroying itself through substance misuse. Strong community action created an environment for healthy change, and that same generation now accepts that it is totally uncool to sniff petrol.

The work will never be over. There will always be young people who succumb to the temptation of using substances to feel better, who feel their only escape is to ‘escape’. Mt Theo helps them to see things differently.