29/08/2025

Last Friday, I attended the Business Chamber South Annual Gala Dinner with the inspiring theme Hope2Action – Leading Mental Wellness for Lasting Impact. The event brought together a diverse and passionate group of business leaders, residents, advocates, and changemakers and echoed our shared commitment to mental health advocacy and support across all corners of our community.

The room held onto the important messages from distinguished guest speakers including The Honourable Chris Minns, Premier of NSW, John Brogden, President of Lifeline International, Matthew Caruana, aspiring Paralympian and mental health advocate, and Tony Baddour, President of Business Chamber South.

The biggest takeaway was that mental health is no longer a silent struggle, it is a shared responsibility. In Australia, nearly one in two people will experience a mental disorder in their lifetime. These are not just statistics; they represent our neighbours, our friends, our families. And whether at home, at work, or in our schools, these challenges affect us all.

As a community, we recognised the importance of leading with compassion. Advocacy begins with action. From sharing trusted resources to hosting open conversations, we showed how mental wellness can be embedded in our culture, not just in workplaces, but in every space where people gather and connect.

Together, we supported the life-saving work of Lifeline Australia, whose 24/7 crisis support reaches over 2.6 million Australians each year. With 41 centres and 10,000 volunteers, Lifeline ensures that no one faces their darkest moment alone.

The evening was more than a fundraiser; it was a call to action. Mental health is everyone’s business, and together we can make a lasting impact. We need to turn hope into action—in our homes, our workplaces, our communities, and in our hearts.

Lifeline and other support systems are listed on Council’s Community Support Services Directory Page. I encourage you to visit that page and seek help if you or a loved one should ever want support because no one should face their darkest moment alone.