2001-2004

Chrysalis Insight Inc operated The Chapel Restaurant in the heart of Lilydale, providing the community with a recreational alternative to the many gaming venues in the areas. Over those 3 years Chrysalis Insight Inc worked with up to 90 volunteers (many of whom where directly or indirectly affected by problem gambling) and witnessed many lives positively changed as a consequences of the provision of a 3rd Place and the feeling of belonging to a community. Recovery from gambling addiction was sped up by the involvement in a real community-building project. This project was strongly supported by the Patron of the organisation World Vision CEO Tim Costello who participated actively in many fund raising events.

2004

Chrysalis Insight Inc in partnership with Swinburne University, Shire of Yarra Ranges, Gamblers Help Eastern, Rivendell (EACH) and Know the Odds conducted a research project at The Chapel Restaurant to test a model of engagement and information dissemination relating to problem gambling. The report Where are the Third Places: Recreational Alternatives to Gambling? recommended that the 3rd Place concept be further explored and expanded. further information is available here or contact Chrysalis Insight Inc for a hard copy of the report.

2004-2007

Between 2004 and 2007 Chrysalis has been evaluating the success of The Chapel Restaurant as a 3rd Place, as a creative measure to prevent and minimilise the harm caused by problem gambling. Chrysalis has documented what worked and what didn't, and has discussed many options on how to communicate and market the concept better to a wider community.

April 2005

Chrysalis Insight Inc hosted a brainstorming group at Morrison Community House. This event brought together approximately 20 representatives from local community groups, government departments, local council, universities and health services to discuss the way in which the 3rd Place Project could help each community group and how best it could be implemented. The result from this forum were invaluable and we continue to work on establishing the project in partnership with several of the attendees.

November 2005

Chrysalis Insight Inc hosted several focus groups followed by two community events at Morrison on the Park Cafe, Mt. Evelyn and the Black Spur Nursery, Healesville to further our understanding of the requirements for 3rd Place Venues and to obtain feedback from members of our target groups (recovering gamblers, mental health patients, control group).

Since june 2005

Chrysalis Insight Inc has been publishing and distributing a quarterly newsletter to over 250 subscribers. The newsletter raises awareness of current events, legislations, our organisations activities and in particular, facts about poker machine gaming as well as providing resources to those who are, or who know somebody suffering an addiction.

Each Year

Chrysalis Insight Inc presents the 3rd Place concept and Gabriela Byrne's personal story of overcoming addiction at speaking engagements across the country and internationally.

Currently the board is seeking funding to enable a two-year pilot of the 3rd Place Connect program to get under way whilst continuing to strengthen the foundations of the major project including policy documentation, development of training programs, social research and evaluation and community education programs.