Yarning circle strengthens community in Wagga Wagga
- deansimpson7
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Salvation Army’s Recovery Hub in Wagga Wagga, south-west NSW, recently celebrated its first birthday with the launch of an outdoor Yarning Circle.
The Yarning Circle was created in partnership between Wagga Wagga Corps, The Salvation Army’s Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) stream, and a local Indigenous community health service, RivMed.
At the launch, attended by about 50 community members and representatives of multiple partner agencies, local Wiradjuri man Dion led an indigenous smoking ceremony.
“As the cleansing smoke drifted through the crowd, participants embraced its meaning, honouring culture, country and the spirit of coming together,” said Wagga Wagga Corps Officer Auxiliary-Lieutenant David Hopewell.
David said the Yarning Circle space is designed to strengthen connection, healing and community.
The Salvation Army’s Wagga Wagga Recovery Hub provides a one-stop-shop Alcohol and Other Drugs service that also provides family and domestic violence support, peer support, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support and referrals to other services.
Hub Partnerships & Program Manager, Jacob Walker, said in just one year of being open, the Hub has had remarkable success in coming alongside people in need and partnering with the local community to bring hope to families and individuals impacted by alcohol and other drugs.
“The celebration day was a clear reflection of the Hub’s success and the vital role it plays in meeting the needs of the Wagga Wagga community,” he said.
