Chrisalys Insight and the Third Place Project

Gabriela Byrne was addicted to gambling for more than four years. In her efforts to free herself of an addiction that was destroying her life, she developed the “Free Yourself Program”.

She studied psychology, nutrition, exercise and the importance of daily prayer/meditation to support the change process. Gradually the “Free Yourself Program” was born. Gabriela continued to improve and to refine FYP over several years and has successfully taught this program to hundreds of people.

In November 1997 Gabriela published a book outlining the unique Free Yourself Program strategies and a revised edition was published in May 1999. In March 2000 the Reverend Tim Costello launched her “Self-help guide to controlled, responsible Gambling”, a book and an audio-tape.

In 2001 she founded the not-for-profit organisation Chrysalis Insight Inc. committed to assisting and educating people in crisis due to problem gambling. The focus of the organisation is to provide a safe alternative environment focusing on re-integration of directly or indirectly affected people. This proposal was developed and for 3 years the organisation under her leadership ran “The Chapel Restaurant” in Lilydale, Victoria, Australia which became the pilot-model of “the 3rd place” and the first branded recreational alternative to gambling venues.

Gabriela is a member of the Interchurch Gaming Taskforce; CAPP (Community Action on Pokie Problems); Know the Odds and participates as a community representative in many working groups of the Responsible Gambling Ministerial Advisory Council. Her stories from being “totally hooked” to “complete freedom” and ‘The Chapel Restaurant’ model, have been published and talked about on national TV, radio, Women’s Weekly, New Idea, Good Medicine, Alive, For Me and many other publications. Her openness and warmth and excellent communication skills make her a much sought after public speaker.

Gabriela recently presented at the July 2005 International Conference on Problem Gambling, New Zealand (see www.problem-gambling.info for papers). Her presentation included a brief summary of the “Chapel Restaurant” venture (the first pilot recreational alternative to gaming venues) and the findings of the ‘Third place’ project. The significant results of these two projects lead Chrysalis Inc to propose steps to further develop and explore ‘The 3rd Place’ concept. With a view to reducing gambling’s negative social impact it aims to connect individuals, decrease social isolation and re-rebuild strong, healthy, vibrant and interactive communities.

The ‘Third Place’ is a concept explored by sociologist Ray Oldenburg and is defined as the many public places where people can gather, temporarily throw off the weight of the world and put aside the concerns of home and work (their first and second places). They are places where you can hang out simply for the pleasures of good company and lively conversation.

Funding from the Community Support Fund in 2004 enabled Chrysalis Insight Inc., in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology Lilydale, the Yarra Ranges Shire Council, Gamblers Help Eastern, Rivendell (EACH) and Know the Odds, to develop the ‘Third Place’ project.

In the context of the ‘Third Place’ project, the hypothesis that there is a need within local communities for ‘safe’ informal social gathering places became a focus for project organisers. The demise of the traditional pub/club and the assimilation of these ‘third places’ by the gaming industry has dramatically limited in some municipalities, the choices available for social activity within the established infrastructure of the local environment. The Pokie Venue for many becomes the “Third Place” the “Home away from Home” which, whilst entertainment for some, can lead to devastating consequences for many individuals, their families and the wider community.

The full Third Place project report is available on www.ld.swin.edu.au/crd

Information about Gabriela Byrne on www.freeyourself.com.au

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