Evolution of Great Southern AHA, formerly Albany Halfway House Association, honoured at 40th anniversary

A community not-for-profit celebrated a milestone birthday last week, using the occasion to announce a re-brand. Great Southern AHA, formerly known as Albany Halfway House Association, celebrated 40 years with a morning tea on Friday. The event highlighted the program’s evolution from a small volunteer-led organisation to a comprehensive mental health service provider. AHA began in 1984, with five volunteers and five staff running the part-hostel, part-outreach centre. In the 40 years since, it has expanded into offering services including community supported residential units (CSRU), mental health housing, transitional housing, community engagement and NDIS support. AHA chair Simon London praised the organisation’s longevity and the dedication of its volunteers. “For an organisation that started out with such humble beginnings it’s really, truly remarkable that we’re standing here today, 40 years later, acknowledging AHA’s longstanding tenure and its four-decade commitment to providing mental health services for our community,” he said. “Through this slow and steady evolution, AHA has grown into the more complex, sophisticated, dynamic organisation that we see today. “When I first became involved with AHA, I saw the nature of the staff’s commitment to the participants and the residents and how that was the foundation of the organisation’s core values and culture and of what the organisation did. “We’re excited for the future that we envisage and we’re excited for the rewarding work that lies ahead.” AHA client of 24 years, turned board advocate Deborah Meyer recounted her long history with the organisation, detailing the activities she took part in with the group to deal with her schizoaffective disorder. “I can remember our friends and I would look forward to learning and art and craft and cooking and volunteering,” she said. “This was such a well-organised lot of opportunities . . . where everyone pitched in with very helpful skills.” More than 40 people attended the event, including the Federal member for O’Connor Rick Wilson, City of Albany mayor Greg Stocks and the city’s chief executive Andrew Sharpe.