Safety net to those in greatest need

A FEW hundred kilometres south of Darwin, sits a residential rehabilitation facility, where high risk youths are given a second chance at life.

Allan Brahminy of the Brahminy Foundation rehabilitation facility has been nominated for the Pride of Australia Care and Compassion medal.

A FEW hundred kilometres south of Darwin sits a residential rehabilitation facility, where high-risk youths are given a second chance at life.

Brahminy Foundation chief executive Allan Brahminy opened the centre, in a remote part of the NT, 11 years ago.

The purpose of the facility, the exact location of which cannot be revealed, is to provide support to troubled youths and give them an alternative to jail, by court order or by choice.

Mr Brahminy said he had worked with 439 children – aged 11-18 – and currently housed seven at the facility.

“We’ve got a young guy here because he stabbed someone,” he said. “Most of (the current residents) have had drug addictions and were chronic ice users, I’ve only got one who wasn’t.”

Mr Brahminy and his wife Natasha have spent the best part of the last decade building the facility, implementing programs to assist the children and working to empower them.

The site is spread over 24ha and is home to dozens of buffalo, wallabies, horses, pigs, geese, ducks and dogs.

“The kids will often talk to a goose or a pig before they talk to us,” Mr Brahminy said.

Mr Brahminy has been nominated for a Pride of Australia Medal in the Care and Compassion category.