History of Holyoake

Founded in 1975, Holyoake owes its origin to a small group of passionate and dedicated people who were concerned about the lack of help available in Western Australia to individuals with problems related primarily to alcohol use but particularly the dire lack of help for families.  Through the efforts of these people not only the organisation but also the spirit and heart of Holyoake was born. 

The name ‘Holyoake' was borrowed from the site of an old timber mill and settlement on the outskirts of Dwellingup in the South West of Western Australia. Some 90 acres of land around this site was granted to the founders by the then Minister for Lands and Forests. The intention was to establish a residential treatment facility on the site. Due to the overwhelming demand for services in the city and the significant resources needed for such a venture this dream was never realised. 

Holyoake very quickly grew and became highly respected for its work with adult problem drinkers and more particularly its work with spouses/partners/parents.  In the early eighties the needs of children became a strong focus and it was at this point that a true family service evolved. During the late eighties services expanded to include adolescent substance users and their parents. The mid nineties saw a significant conceptual shift away from a disease orientation to a model of understanding of drug use from a psychosocial perspective. Holyoake uses an interpersonal process approach including elements of cognitive behavioural therapy and supportive expressive therapy. Holyoake is well known for the family systems perspective it works from.

Holyoake provides a range of services including individual counselling, specifically designed alcohol and drug programs, family programs (spouses, parents, other relatives, children), professional and community education and training, a residential service for men, outreach to young people and parents and services to adults in prison and juveniles in detention. Holyoake also manages the Northeast Metropolitan and the Wheatbelt Community Drug Service Teams.

Today Holyoake provides services to over 2,000 people a year at its inner city location and from services located in the northeast metropolitan area and the Wheatbelt. Holyoake participates with other alcohol and drug organisations, peak groups such as the Western Australian Alcohol and Drug Network (WANADA), Alcohol and Drug Council of Australia (ADCA) and concerned members of the community to advocate on behalf of those harmed by the use of alcohol and other drugs.