The paint has almost dried on The Glen for Women, with the newest rehabilitation centre for women set to open in March this year, an extension of the men's facility that has assisted people from across the Western Plains suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. 

The newest addition to The Glen Centre, the Glen for Women has been in the works since 2018.

CEO of The Glen Centre Joy Coyte said that after years in the making, it's both exciting and daunting to see everything come together and bring services to people in need.

“Basically, Coral Hennessy, our Chairperson, just said ‘Well it’s alright for us to just sit here and celebrate what we’re going, but the reality is that half the population can’t access our services if they need it…we need to get The Glen for Women’,” Mr Coyte said. 

Despite being based in Wyong Creek on the Central Coast, The Glen Centre proudly services people from around the state, with Western New South Wales residents making up large numbers of clients. 

“We’ve always had a proud connection to Western NSW, a lot of clients are from Wellington and Dubbo area, and all the areas out there,” Mr Coyte said. 



The connection to the area is rooted deep in its beginnings, with The Glen Centre founder Cyril Hennessy originating from Bouke, as well as a number of current staff and executives.

Providing 20 beds for women at the new drug and alcohol rehabilitation service, Mr Coyte was adamant that while there is no way for this service to be the answer to a problem that plagues Australians, it is part of a small step towards a bigger solution. 

“It was brought to my attention that there’s potentially only eight women’s rehab beds west of the mountains,” Mr Coyte said.

It’s a staggering figure that Mr Coyte hopes to see dramatically increased. 

Brewarrina-based Orana Haven Aboriginal Corporation is working to build those figures, attempting to secure land for a women’s service. 

“We’re trying to help them secure some operational funding to make that a reality, but there’s a massive need for women’s services everywhere, especially Western NSW,” Mr Coyte said. 

Back on the Central Coast, The Glen for Women is currently in the recruitment phase as it nears the opening date. 

“It’s a critical phase to make sure the service is the right sort of service, you know. It’s only as good as the people that work there and turn up everyday,” Mr Coyte said. 

While it will service women from all over the state, there will be a focus on Indigenous women, with Indigenous men making up a large number of clientele at The Glen Centre. 

“We’re excited but we’re also very nervous because it’s a big job and we know if we get this one right, that’ll help other areas like (Western NSW) to hopefully get one for yourselves,” he said. 

The Glen for Women will be the first culturally-specific drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre for women in Australia.