Lives Lived Well

16/01/2026

Our Mackay team held a Christmas door-decorating competition, with teams transforming their office doors into festive displays 💙

It sparked plenty of laughs, friendly competition and great team spirit across the site.💚

And, it's certainly going to be a yearly Christmas tradition — seeing who can create the best festive door each year.

Congratulations to this year’s winner, Rowena and her winning door!🎉

14/01/2026

📍 UPDATE: Caboolture AOD Service Relocation

We’re moving! Please note the upcoming change to our Caboolture AOD Service location.

🟦 New address:
Ground Floor, 11–13 Bertha St, Caboolture Qld

🟩 Key dates:
First day at new location: Thursday 22 January

🟦15–21 January:
Services will continue remotely via phone and telehealth

Thank you for your understanding as we move premises. We look forward to welcoming clients to our new location.

12/01/2026

This is the story of an empowered woman and mother of five, a story of strength and recovery.

“I am their rock, sanctuary in a hard world and safe place. I didn't always feel this… when I was tangled up from my own childhood traumas and self-medicated.”

At her lowest, she made the bravest choice a mother can make:
“I put them to higher ground under my sister's eventual care, when I was too unwell.”

What followed was a turning point, a decision to fight for her wellbeing and for her family’s future.

The client reached out to our Dianella Cottage recovery centre, and after a short time living in the facility, something had changed.

“I came to the realisation that ‘I MATTER’.”

With safe housing, community support, and deep personal courage, she began rebuilding her life.

Dianella became part of that journey.

“I did which made me feel safer to share my struggles, accomplishments and doubts and openness for genuine feedback as a willing client at Dianella.”

And today?
“Today my eldest son and younger children are in closer, and more in contact with me.

“I've returned to them as a well Mum and pillar of strength I am becoming.”

Click the link below for the full read story - https://buff.ly/WoPWXOs

08/01/2026

Did you know Lives Lived Well offers dedicated support for families and loved ones impacted by substance use?

Breakthrough for Families (BFF) provides practical education, strategies and guidance, plus information on further support if needed.

We’re supporting families with understanding. Join one of our information sessions to:
● Understand the impacts of substance use
● Learn practical ways to start the conversation
● Explore support options and referrals
● Our upcoming webinars are now available.

👉 Find out more and register here:
https://buff.ly/DRQeBTM

06/01/2026

GPs With a passion for helping vulnerable people and an interest in the AOD or Mental Health sectors, we have a role for you! 💚💙

This is an opportunity at our Specialist Centre in Burleigh Heads, working with a dynamic group of clients, 1–2 days per week.

Why should you consider it:

• Bring your private client load with you
• Work with a diverse mix of clients, including referrals from Mirikai Residential Rehabilitation
• Low practice management fee + reliable stream of patients
• Beautiful Burleigh location with parking, cafés and parks nearby

If you want to practise in a way that creates genuine impact, apply now.

Click the link below for further information: https://buff.ly/1Bkwzj1

👉 To express interest, contact Amanda Moawad:
Amanda.moawad@liveslivedwell.org.au

23/12/2025

Our annual report is now available. Across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, our teams showed what’s possible when compassion meets commitment. 💚💙

Highlights of what we’ve achieved:

👉 New live-in service in Bundaberg offers path to recovery
👉 Building cultural strength through Red Dust Healing
👉 In February 2025, headspace Caloundra celebrated its official launch
👉 Digitisation of Drug and Alcohol First Aid (DAFA) training.

16,693 hours of training completed by our team members; 54,423 bed nights provided across residential, family, withdrawal and transition programs; 6,200 young people received support through our headspace.

These achievements have been made possible through the continued support of our funders, stakeholders, team members and clients.

Click the link below for more statistics, case studies and milestones: https://buff.ly/YG5hMVc

22/12/2025

On 9 December, Lives Lived Well celebrated the official launch of our 2025–27 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)! 👣💛🖤

We were honoured to be joined by Baringa Barambah Meeanjinu, a Songwoman of the Turrbal People and daughter of Turrbal Elder Maroochy Barambah, and Uncle Billy Cummings, an Aboriginal Elder connected to the Turrbal People through kinship ties, for a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Our RAP Chair and Coordinator shared the story behind this year’s artwork, representing connection, resilience and healing across the communities we support.

The launch was well attended by partners and service providers, including QNADA and Brisbane North PHN, as well as members of our RAP Committee who travelled from NSW and other locations to be part of the day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in marking this important step in our reconciliation journey.

ℹ️Read the full article: https://buff.ly/NBLhDwQ
ℹ️Read our 2025-27 Innovate RAP: https://buff.ly/dBXLxzZ

Reconciliation Australia

We welcomed The Hon. Emma McBride MP and Rowan Holzberger MP to headspace Upper Coomera for an exciting funding and service announcement for the Gold Coast. The visit highlights a significant boost for youth mental health on the Gold Coast and a major expansion of free, accessible care for the whole...

19/12/2025

With the holiday season just around the corner, we want to share our closure hours during this time of the year. 🎄

Some of our services and programs will close or operate at reduced capacity from Wednesday 24 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026.

While referrals are welcome during this time, our contact team will resume processing them when we’re back on Monday, 5 January 2026.

We know how important timely support can be, especially during the holiday period. If you’re experiencing a crisis or finding it difficult to cope, you can access helpful resources here: https://buff.ly/3DeQw03

If a life is in immediate danger, please dial 000.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, peaceful, and joyful holiday season 💙💚

17/12/2025

Congratulations to Jess from our Carinya Transitional Living house on winning the Caddyshack Banana Awards!

The Awards recognise individuals, projects and organisations who are championing positive sexual health outcomes across NSW.

Well done Jess and the team!

16/12/2025

“I had been struggling with alcohol for 7 years, drinking on average 18–20 full strength beers daily… because I worked full time and still cooked and cleaned, I told myself there was no problem.”

For a while, this client thought they could live peacefully with their dependence on alcohol. But soon, their health began to deteriorate, and the relationships were affected.

“I woke up one day and realised I needed help.”

Weekly counselling, along with the tools and support from the program, became the turning point.

“It changed my life for the better.… I am no longer dependent on alcohol and forever will be grateful.”

Today, they’re reconnecting with their lost passion in music, cooking, and living with purpose.

Even more inspiring, they’ve enrolled in a Diploma in Alcohol and Other Drugs, to help others and pay it forward. 💙💚

Read the full story: https://buff.ly/5gXH0xO

15/12/2025

We are saddened by the events at Bondi and are thinking of everyone affected.

We recognise this will be distressing for many people, particularly members of the Jewish community and those with personal connections to the incident.

At Lives Lived Well, our focus remains on providing safe, respectful, and compassionate care. If you need support, you can contact us on 1300 727 957 or visit liveslivedwell.org.au

08/12/2025

During Men’s Health Awareness Month, we took a closer look at the connection between men’s health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) - a conversation that deserves more space. 💙💚

”Three in five people receiving AOD treatment in Australia are male.”

The number is clear: many men are navigating both mental health and AOD concerns at the same time, often quietly and without support.

We’re encouraging open conversations, early help-seeking and reducing stigma. Because reaching out shouldn’t feel difficult or out of reach.

At Lives Lived Well, we provide government-funded services across QLD, NSW and SA, offering safe, respectful and practical support for people experiencing concerns around alcohol or other drugs.

Click the link below and learn more 👉 https://buff.ly/uFvixOu