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Limousines & Hearses (Part One)




The Aborigines & Islanders Alcohol Relief Service (AIARS) has been providing accommodation and drug and alcohol counselling to indigenous and non-indigenous Australians for thirty one years. The service has always been funded by the Australian Federal Government with approximately $1.6 million each year. In October this year, staff and patients received news that funding was to cease at the end of November, giving them only six weeks notice of the closure of the service. This abrupt decision has left AIARS no choice but to close its doors. The service will no longer operate after this date. AIARS owns two properties, Douglas House in Cairns, and Rose Colless Haven near Mareeba. The clients of AIARS now face an uncertain future, many of whom admit that without AIARS they will have little hope of battling, let alone beating, their addictions. Nelson, from Mareeba, has already done one stint of six months at Rose Colless. This is his second visit and had only been here for eight days when he heard about news of the closure. As he sits by the campfire at Rose Colless Haven Nelson ponders his immediate future. "I'll just have to go back home." - all content © 2012
The Aboriginal flag is painted on a table near the main camp fire. Every night the residents sit out in the open air around the fire telling stories. The day begins at five o'clock when residents are assigned jobs like gardening, gathering firewood and cleaning, 'Being out here, well, its home to me,' says Jackson. - all content © 2012
Prior to the news of AIARS' closure, there were eighteen residents at Rose Colless Haven. Days after the news filtered through to residents, thirteen of them left. It is understood that most people went back to their communities. Sondra, the manager of Rose Colless, is unsure though, where they all went, 'They just disappeared, they were scared.' Nelson, Donald and Jackson are three of the five residents who remain at Rose Colless Haven. On Monday they will be forced to leave. - all content © 2012
Jedhi is from Yarrabah, south of Cairns. Due to his addiction, Jedhi's children were removed from his care. - all content © 2012

Thomas is forty-two years old. A life time of alcoholism makes him look a lot older. Thomas has been coming to Douglas House for over twenty years. 'Its better being at Douglas House rather than in a hospital bed with drips on', he says. 'I will probably die of alcohol abuse over the years. I'll be surprised if I get through next year.' - all content © 2012
Gregory is a recovering alcoholic and past residents of AIARS. He drops by once a week to attend AA meetings and to give current residents moral support. - all content © 2012
A female dormitory at Douglas House. - all content © 2012
Denelle in her room at Douglas House, "This is the only place I could rely on to better myself in the recovery of my drinking problem." - all content © 2012

Clients at Douglas House. - all content © 2012
Denelle points to photographs of her children, the only decorations she has in her room. The girls were taken away from Dernelle because of her alcohol problem. She is fighting her addiction so she can get her family back. To get her daughters back is the only thing in the world that Denelle truly wants. - all content © 2012
Donald at Rose Colless Haven. - all content © 2012
Recovering alcoholics and past residents of AIARS Gregory Johnston (l) and Eric Moreau visit Douglas House at least once a week to talk to the residents and offer them moral support. 'Over five years ago now, five and half years ago, I haven't had a drink, I haven't touched any dope, I haven't been in any trouble, I haven't been arrested. It changed my life, been working, got a car, you know, it all started here. If you haven't got somewhere like this to go, where you gonna go?', asks Eric. - all content © 2012

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  all content © 2012