Australia's new Governor General David Hurley will be guest of honour at the annual Mental Health in the Workplace Luncheon at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach during Mental Health Week.
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One Door Mental Health Clubhouse deputy chair Janine Cullen said it was exciting to have the retired general and head of the Australian Defence Forces who grew up in Warrawong speak at the October 11 event along with the National Commissioner of Mental Health Lucy Brogden.
"Trying to find a date that worked for the Governor General and National Commissioner was tricky but we got there," Mrs Cullen said.
"The Governor General's wife Linda Hurley is coming as well".
Ticket sales have opened and the organising committee is hoping for 350 people to attend the lunch which will help keep the doors open on the One Door Mental Health Clubhouse in Auburn Street, Wollongong.
Mrs Cullen said all money raised will go to where it is needed.
Chair professor Frank Deane said a small group of business and community leaders has been raising funds for more than a decade for the One Door Illawarra Mental Health Clubhouse. And more recently the program to support teenagers.
Prof Deane said since 2016 the group has been hosting successful Mental Health in the Workplace Luncheons which have recently been the only fundraiser of the year.
He said said running the clubhouse relies entirely on the fund-raising efforts of the small committee and this year they are thrilled to have Australia's Governor General David Hurley and National Commissioner of Mental Health Lucy Brogden as VIP guest speakers.
Ms Brogden is the wife of one of our previous speakers John Brogden and is also chair of the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance and Chair of the Australian Advisory Group for Suicide Prevention.
It is unknown at this stag whether Mr Brogden will also be attending the lunch.
Prof Deane said with such experience Ms Brogden was an ideal speaker for the October 11 luncheon at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach.
Due to a growing demand, the Clubhouse has recently relocated to Auburn Street, Wollongong, and will open four days a week rather than the existing two days a week at its previous premises.
The One Door Illawarra Clubhouse was formally known as Light and Hope Clubhouse and the committee ran its fundraising via the Highlights on Mental Health for several years.
The name has been changed in line with the change of name of parent charity, One Door Mental Health (previously Schizophrenia Fellowship), which has been delivering mental health programs in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven for more than 20 years.
Through One Door, people living in the Illawarra with mental illness and their families can find an inclusive community, innovative services and advocacy support. Creating a world in which people with a mental illness are valued and treated as equals is at the heart of everything One Door does for its clients.
One Door is also about supporting members of the Illawarra community, whose isolation and need for help is sometimes so desperate that they view ending their life as their alternative.
The One Door Illawarra Clubhouse provides a place that reduces isolation and loneliness and a supportive environment where friendships and life skills can be developed.
Read more:
- With Lifeline receiving one million calls for help in Australia every year we need to talk about mental health more
- One Door Illawarra Mental Health Clubhouse officially opens
- Why stories and conversation are important to mental health
- Janine Cullen thanked for enormous contribution to business and the Illawarra community