Jackson returns to help more men build a new life

Jackson Walsh returns for a new challenge at Adele Training Farm.

Former Adele House manager Jackson Walsh said he was delighted to return in the role as the training farm’s skills co-ordinator. Jackson said he enjoyed his four years at Adele House and missed the work of assisting men live a drug-free life.

“I always enjoyed the face-to-face interaction with the men and this job really is divine intervention because I get to interact with them and assist them,” Jackson said. “And I have found another way to help build this life-changing social enterprise.”

Under the new program, men gain valuable work skills on the farm which produces blueberry and blackberries for the commercial market.
The 40-bed drug rehabilitation centre has just celebrated two years since its official opening and is regarded as one of the best in Australia.
Mr Walsh said he hoped that most of the men attending for rehabilitation would participate in the farm skills program.
Work includes assisting on the blueberry and blackberry farm, building and maintenance and tending a new vegetable plot which will supply fresh produce to the rehabilitation centre’s kitchen.

“When they arrive here at Adele House the only thing the clients have in common is drug use and sometimes crime,” he said.
“By the time they have been involved in installing an irrigation system or taking down a blueberry net or building garden beds they have a shared experience that isn’t drug use.”

Mr Walsh said the skills learnt at the farm assisted clients get a job and to come home from a hard day’s work and not drink or take drugs.

“Turning up to 12 hours of work a week is a good stepping-stone and then building up to 38 hours a week further down the track when they have their addiction under control.” “It gives clients discipline and teaches them how to manage their time.”

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said: “We are delighted Jackson has accepted the challenge of leading what is a critical component in the program focused on assisting men overcome addiction and return to their families and society.”