From the CEO
Hello everyone.
It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces at The Wellness Walk on Sunday 13 October at NSW Government House. Despite the morning rain, over 380 participants walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of people living with mental health challenges. Thank you to Her Excellency Margaret Beazley, Governor of NSW, for opening the event and to the newly appointed NSW Mental Health Commissioner, Jennifer Black for joining the walk. The success of the event was in part due to the support of our partners and peers, including Lundbeck, Otsuka Australia Pharmaceutical, Pont3, WayAhead, Wellways Australia, Stride Mental Health, Mental Health Commission of NSW, and Mental Health Coordinating Council. Thank you to everyone who walked with us and helped make the event a remarkable day.
On Saturday 12 October, despite the rain in Newcastle, this year’s Wellness Walk event saw growth, with 100 locals joining the walk. So many contributed to making the event a special day, from the Acknowledgment of Country by Aunty Theresa to the performances by local bands. Many organisations donated their time to showcase their work in the sector, facilitating new connections, with some people already joining new groups as a result.
Congratulations to the CPS Connector Hub in South Western Sydney for receiving the National Community Partner Excellence Award 2024 from OCTEC Employment Services in Campbelltown. OCTEC provides high-quality employment, training, advocacy, and youth services. It was a great boost to the team to be recognised by one of our vital partners in the region.
On Friday 18 October, I spent the day at the One Door Mental Health Illawarra Mental Health in the Workplace Conference. Thank you to the Illawarra Clubhouse Committee for bringing together over 160 people to focus on mental health in the workplace. The funds raised at this event will be used to offer small grants to local organisations, with the goal of enhancing mental health and wellbeing across the community. Our clubhouse in Wollongong also received funds to continue providing much-needed services for people living with complex mental ill health. Great work, everyone!
Mr. Anoulack Chanthivong, Member for Macquarie Fields, mentioned One Door Mental Health and Beautiful Minds Macarthur in the State Parliament on 15 October. This recognition followed his attendance at the 20th-anniversary celebration of Beautiful Minds Macarthur. In his address, Mr. Chanthivong MP paid tribute to the late Sandra McDonald, highlighting her legacy of mental health advocacy, and spoke of all the important work Beautiful Minds Macarthur continues to do for the local community. What an impressive honour to be acknowledged in such a way.
Finally, I would like to invite you to join me at the One Door Fellowship annual gathering at Parramatta Town Hall on 11 December from 11 am to 12:30 pm. This get together is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the end of the year and ongoing growth and success of the One Door Fellowship. An RSVP is important and can be completed by emailing our Community Engagement Specialist at valerie.tarela@onedoor.org.au.