Alan is a retired investment banker formerly Managing Director at ABN Amro Asia.
During your stay at The Sydney Retreat, you won’t just benefit from the experience of those around you. You’ll also receive structured guidance through the tried-and-tested 12-step recovery program. Plus, our community-based approach ensures you’ll have numerous opportunities for one-on-one conversations with people who have successfully navigated their recovery journey.
We’re passionate about supporting our guests on their path to sobriety. Our deepest wish is for you to experience the richness and fulfilment of a sober life – a life full of possibilities, just like the ones we have found. At The Sydney Retreat, we’re not just offering a program, we’re offering a community dedicated to your recovery.
A team that’s deeply committed to addiction recovery
The people that you meet are people who have recovered?
Those with experience best demonstrate sober living. We base our program on one clean & sober person in recovery sharing their experiences and success with another person. Everyone you meet at The Sydney Retreat has first-hand experience with drug and alcohol recovery. We want you or your loved one also to find recovery and be able to live happy and fulfilling lives.
For alcohol and drug addiction treatment, we value outcomes and experience over the clinical intervention model offered by other rehabilitation services or drug and alcohol rehabs. So while we don’t provide assessments or clinical counselling services, The Sydney Retreat has a network of mental health professionals in the community. If you need these services, we can help.
For alcohol and drug addiction treatment, we value outcomes and experience over the clinical intervention model offered by other rehabilitation services or drug and alcohol rehabs. So while we don’t provide assessments or clinical counselling services, The Sydney Retreat has a network of mental health professionals in the community. If you need these services, we can help.
It was led by Dr Stephen Jurd, the specialist addiction psychiatrist.
Dr Stephen Jurd has been instrumental in developing and establishing successful addiction recovery services and 12-step recovery centres in Australia and the US. He created the Royal North Shore Hospital Drug and Alcohol Services from 1984 to 2006 and founded the Phoenix Unit, a prominent Minnesota model rehab that he went on to direct for 14 years. Dr Jurd is currently the founder and Chairman of The Sydney Retreat’s Board.
In addition to founding and establishing rehabilitation centres, Dr Jurd chaired the alcohol and other drugs section for six years and was the inaugural chair of the Subcommittee for Advanced Training in Addiction Psychiatry.
Since 2006 he has shared his expertise as Director of Postgraduate Training in Psychiatry in northern Sydney and as chair of the RANZCP Committee for Training from 2008 to 2014. He has been granted the title of Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Sydney.
Dr Jurd advocates strongly for 12-step facilitated recovery for recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism. He considers the Sydney Retreat to be one of his most significant achievements.
Listen to Dr Jurd talk about addiction at The Sydney Retreat here
With over 30 years of experience in recruitment and human resource management, Cheryn brings a deep understanding of strategic planning, human resource development, and organisational support to not-for-profit initiatives.
Hugh was first admitted as a solicitor in 1986 and is the former President of the Law Society of NSW
John is the founder and former Managing Director of Vizibill Telecommunications Consultancy.
Stephen is an addiction medicine specialist psychiatrist and Clinical Associate Professor at University of Sydney. Watch Dr. Jurds presentation on “Addition & The Brain” here
Steve is the founder and former managing director of Recognition Public Relations specialising in IT.
Matt is the Executive Chairman of Murdoch Media, blueshyft and Australian Rain Technologies.
Claire Parfitt is a political economist at the University of Sydney where she teaches and writes about sustainability, corporate governance and labour rights.
A seasoned leader with a diverse and accomplished career spanning market research, advertising, marketing, communications, and software sales.
Kerry has enjoyed a broad and successful corporate career spanning media, fundraising, technology, sport and marketing.