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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.
Johnny Miller and Senator Bob Brown meeting in Canberra 2005.
Acknowledgements
This website was a Jaru Pirrjirdi project funded with assistance from the Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation.
News
Notice to Demon supporters - After Luke (Fork) launched the appeal we received $4906 in just 4 days! And the funds are still rolling in. This is the most overwhelming response in our 15 year history - thank-you!
Congratulations to Liam Jurrah #48 Melbourne Demons!
We have been anticipating Liam's first game for a while now and are so proud of what he has done to achieve his goal of playing AFL football at the highest level.
Mt Theo would also like to give a big shout out to all the Melbourne supporters who have sent emails, written on forums and will be out there with us cheering Liam on.
The Liam Jurrah Appreciation Group on Facebook can be found here.
Follow Mt Theo on Facebook!
slide show
Yuendumu Swimming Pool
The swimming pool was officially opened on 27th October, 2008 by Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin, Member for Stuart Karl Hampton, Thomas Jangala Rice (Chairperson), Jean Napanangka Brown (Chairperson), members of the Kantor family and the Jaru Pirrjirdi Lifeguards.
Yuendumu Swimming 
Manager’s Report
This year demonstrates a period of dynamic expansion for the Mt Theo Program. The extension of Mt Theo Program across the Warlpiri region, the increasing attention to the Program as an alternative to incarceration, and a focus on young people dealing with issues other than substance misuse, culminated in the Committee decision to change the Corporation name to better reflect the complex and comprehensive nature of what we do today.
The Committee chose Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation as a more appropriate name for a Corporation that focuses on assisting young Warlpiri people from all over the region to build strong futures for themselves and their communities. The change was an outcome of a review, undertaken over 2 days at Mt Theo by over 40 past and present Committee and staff, of the last 14 years of operations. Read full report...
<<< New Logo
We also have a new logo! The design is based on a painting by Thomas Jangala Rice following discussions by the elders at a program camp at Mt Theo. The logo can be seen on the top-left of this page. Click on it for a larger full colour version.
The Annual Report 2007-2008 is available for download.
Donations
Three years ago we told you, our supporters, of the need for a swimming pool in Yuendumu. Your donations since that time have helped that dream become a reality.
The Yuendumu Community Pool was opened on the 27th October 2008. For its ongoing operation it relies upon the generosity of the public. It has already provided employment for many locals, while the 'Yes School, Yes Pool' policy allows children attending school to enter for free, adding a positive incentive to come to class. As part of the long term strategy we also expect the use of the pool to result in a noticeable improvement in health in the community... To find out more click the link.
Alice Springs Incident
The Mt Theo Program would like to thank everyone who sent us letters of support in response to the incident in Alice Springs. A selection of media coverage of the event can be found here.
'Prejudice and Pride' - Russell Skelton (Sydney Morning Herald)
Mechanics Workshop!
In November 2007 Mt Theo was excited to finally open our new diesel mechanics training workshop...(click text above to read more)
Congratulations!
Congatulations to the program's founders Peggy Nampijinpa Brown, Johnny Japangardi Miller and Andrew Stojanovski for receiving the Order of Australia Medal.
The Mt Theo Newsletter Dec 2006 is available for download.
New downloads page. Read all about the Mt Theo program.
Click here for young people's stories
