Odyssey Victoria

25/12/2025

Odyssey House Victoria’s annual Short Story Competition is now open for 2025. This year’s theme is "Summer Holidays" and must include a reference to alcohol or other drugs.

Summer holidays often bring sun-soaked afternoons, adventure, and cherished memories - yet not every story is carefree. This competition invites you to craft a short story set against the backdrop of summer, and must include a reference to alcohol or other drugs. We encourage you to create a piece that shines a light on experiences that truly matter.

First place wins $1000 and a one year membership to Writers Victoria.
Second place wins $100
Third place wins $50

Entry fee is $10 per submission.

Please share this with anyone you think might be interested, the competition is open to writers of all ages and experience and submissions are due by the 30th of January 2026.

For full T's and C's and instructions on how to enter, head to:
https://odyssey.org.au/short-story-competition-2025/

24/12/2025

Wishing you all a happy festive season full of joy and happiness and that is safe and peaceful.

23/12/2025

At the start of December, our Lower Plenty staff took the pre-school children to Diamond Valley Tree Farm to choose a tree for the Children’s Centre. They also took their reindeer costumes and enjoyed running through the rows of trees and taking photos to gift to their parents for Christmas. The results were some beautiful photos, a lovely tree which was decorated and a fun day out!

22/12/2025

The staff at our Hope Centre Resi rehab' took the time to cook some delicious food for the residents to celebrate the festive season.

21/12/2025

Our Resi Rehab' at Lower Plenty is getting into the festive season.

20/12/2025

Thought for a Sunday...

19/12/2025

Our Kids in Focus (KIF) team were excited to receive a donation from of lots of gifts to share with the children and families in our program. These will be distributed before Christmas and will make the day extra special for all of the children and families.

18/12/2025

Our Property Development and Maintenance Supervisor, Andrew, has retired after 11 years working at our Resi Rehab' at Lower Plenty. Andrew (photographed with Guy) contributed a great deal to the therapeutic community, and we wish him well on his retirement.

12/12/2025

Our Kids in Focus (KIF) team have put together 40 hampers full of goodies to support families during the holiday period. They have included some old favourites like plum pudding and custard, as well as staples like pasta, coffee and biscuits.

11/12/2025

Odyssey Victoria’s Clinical Manager for Child, Youth & Families, Emma Shaw, together with Monique Yeoman from Kids First and academics Professor Cathy Humphreys and Van Callaly from the University of Melbourne, join CEVAW to unpack how alcohol and other drugs can be weaponised as tools of control in abusive relationships. The discussion explores the barriers women face when seeking support from family violence services and other non–AOD specialist services

Explore how alcohol and other drugs become weapons of coercive control in domestic violence. CEVAW researchers and practitioners discuss substance use coercion, its impact on families, and trauma-informed responses for child and family services professionals.

09/12/2025

Odyssey Victoria's CEO, Dr Stefan Gruenert is delighted that Victoria now has a clear and comprehensive plan to reduce alcohol and other drug harms. The plan acknowledges the need to respond holistically, and it sets the direction for a long-term and sustainable approach to prevention, harm reduction, and treatment services. We look forward to working with the Victorian Government to support its implementation over the coming years.

The Allan Labor Government is delivering Victoria’s first ever strategy to combat alcohol and drug harms – focusing on saving lives by building a system that is better connected and capable of reaching more Victorians.Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has officially launched the Victorian ...