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Bernie Muendel

Program Director, Dooralong Transformation Centre

Diploma in Community Services (Case Management), Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Certificate IV in Mental Health, Diploma in Christian Counselling & Family Therapy, Certificate IV in Community Services (AOD work)

 

Bernie is one of the Facilitators and Assessors for the Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD).

Bernie commenced employment for the Salvation Army in 1993 as Assistant to the Corps officer at Belmont in NSW. His roles and responsibilities were that of Youth Worker in the area, as well as leading the men in the congregation.

In 1996 he travelled to 26 countries around the world and spent 6 months doing missionary work in Israel and Argentina. On returning to Australia in November 1996 he was employed as a Youth Worker in Charlestown, where he planted a youth focussed congregation. 

In July 2000 Bernie commenced as a counsellor in a male only Rehabilitation Centre for addictions (Miracle Haven) based at Morriset NSW and continued as a counsellor for 6 years, after which he was promoted to his current position of Program Director.

In 2013, Miracle Haven (men’s program) combined with the Selah Farm (women’s program) and relocated to the central coast of NSW near Wyong. Dooralong Transformation Centre is a residential treatment centre for addictions to alcohol, drugs or gambling, and encompasses a bio-social/psychological/spiritual model of service delivery. The centre capacity is a total of 100 men, and 50 women with varying complex needs. A number of participants (up to 30) experience significant co-morbidity issues. Bernie's role includes the oversight and management of the dual diagnosis program, men’s and women’s mainstream addictions program and the medical clinic.

Bernie says the most rewarding aspect of this work is observing a transformed person when they leave, and someone who has a much better quality of life, more than they could have imagined, and free of the hold of their addiction that has kept them trapped for many years.