This journey that leads itself

Research; means to slow down and re-look or as Walker [1991] frames it, the task of research is to make sense out of what we know. We must, as Walker continues, "investigate, dismantle and reassemble conventional or common sense meanings, finding sense between what seems strange and what is familiar, striving to find new ways of looking and being in the world."

We are coming together as fellow researchers, to look at where we have come from and where are headed. We will continue to listen and respond so that we may find new ways to strengthen this relational journey of discovery, one that is a collective expedition. We must take a close look at that [our systems, our ideologies, our access] which shapes our individual and/or loved one's expreinces. We are always learning, in pursuit of upholding the National Recovery Framework that advocates for;

Hope, self-determination, self-management, empowerment and advocacy. 

Our involvement in the development of the first Australian live-in Eating Disorder Residential 

Wandi Nerida; Mooloolah Valley 

Over the course of 24 years, Mark and Gay Forbes tried every available support service to help their two daughters who live with eating disorders. They learnt that the support their family needed simply was not available, and sadly they learnt that in this, they were not alone. In just those very first endED gatherings it became clear that Mark and Gay’s story was all too common. As the endED fortnightly meetings grew, a vision formed for a new way of treating people living with eating disorders in Australia. In other countries around the world, specialist, home-like residential treatment facilities existed to give people the perfect setting and the holistic support they needed to recover. Australia did not have even one.

endED’s mission was clear. 
Establish Australia’s first live in residential eating disorder facility.

The project begun by identifying the right setting for the residential. Mark found the perfect 25 acre property in Mooloolah Valley. Putting their own home on the market to finance the sale of the property, Mark and Gay needed backing from the community, and it wasn’t long in coming. Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson introduced them to Roy and Nola Thompson. Roy and Nola’s family too had been tragically touched by eating disorders and understood the pain and suffering they inflict. When Roy heard that Mark and Gay needed funds to settle the purchase of the land he took an endED business card from Mark, turned to his wife and simply said “Nola, we just bought this guy’s business card for $1 million”. 

Within two days, the property was settled. Others too came on board and played an important role. Local Federal MP Andrew Wallace had his family’s own eating disorder story to tell. Andrew invited Mark to Canberra and introduced him to the Prime Minister, the Treasurer and Minister for Health Greg Hunt. Mark made a pitch for construction funding to Minister Hunt and waited to hear what the answer would be. Back on the Coast, endED’s campaign for help from the community gathered pace. More than thirty local businesses came on board to pledge money, materials, skills and expertise to help make the House a reality. Mark and Gay lived on-site with their grandaughter, Ruby for the first eighteen months. During this time Mark volunteered his time as the project manager for the duration of the build. 

Without each of these businesses and their owners, who recognised the pressing need for this facility and pledged their support, endED Butterfly House would never have got out of the ground. In particular endED would like to acknowledge BA Murphy for taking on this project as Principal Contractor on a cost only basis and for providing major savings through pro bono and in-kind support.

Finally, it all came together when Minister Hunt and Andrew Wallace announced that the Federal Government would help. In all, the Government promised $2 million to endED and Butterfly to allow construction to go ahead and $4million to Butterfly to help run the facility over its first four years. endED Butterfly House, now operated by the Butterfly Foundation, and endED resigned from the WN operating board in Nov 2020. This residential now holds a new name "Wandi Nerida" a name gifted by our traditional Elders here on the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara land.

The name means“gather together to blossom”

This space is truly a community project that has brought the Sunshine Coast together. It is built on local philanthropic support, on the support of the Federal Government, of Sunshine Coast Council and of all the wonderful local companies that are listed on this website. We look forward to seeing this space unfold for our community and Nation and we are excited to watch this space to support those who engage with their service and diverse healing modality.