What’s behind the Buttery doors?

There’s an immortal line from Paul Kelly’s hit song, ‘To Her Door’ which reads, ‘He went to The Buttery, stayed about a year. Then he wrote a letter, said I want to see you, she thought he sounded better, she sent him up the fare.’

Kelly’s artful lyricism was of course referring to a broken marriage that was mended after drug rehabilitation at a small humble facility, located near Bangalow.

Rcently, The Buttery opened its doors to the community to give an insight into how they change lives and mend those broken by addiction and mental health issues.

After a Welcome to Country and a speech from Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, personal, heartfelt stories were shared by those who had overcome their substance misuse through expert guidance and self-discipline.

Buttery CEO Leone Crayden told the packed room the history of the NORCO dairy facility, built in 1913.

By 1973, it had became a drop-in rehab centre called ‘The Churn’. There’s been recent improvements, Leonie said, including repainting and the addition of town sewerage.

First open day since 1977

Leone told The Echo, ‘It was our first open day since 1977! We are now not just a residential rehab, but offer free drop-in community services (for those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues at all ages, including under 18) from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie’.

‘We are a not-for-profit that survives purely from government grants and the generosity of the community – we are always in need of funds (especially at the moment) to be able to accommodate the growing number of Northern Rivers locals with drug and alcohol, and mental health issues seeking treatment.

‘As well as to be able to maintain and improve our 100-year-old hinterland site’, added Leone.

The not-for-profit charity offers a range of services, including outreach programs around the state.

For more information visit: www.buttery.org.au.