Funds raised from a Hollywood inspired charity night was recently presented to Lifeline Central West on Monday.
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Earlier this year the famoUS- Live to Shine fundraiser was held at Dubbo’s Lazy River Estate, with the aim of lifting the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide around the region.
A total of $10,000 was raised on the night through donations and a silent auction.
The cheque was presented to Lifeline Central West executive director Alex Ferguson at the new Dubbo Lifeline headquarters in Brisbane Street.
“This momentous donation is going to help grow Lifeline at Dubbo and west of here,” Mr Ferguson said at the cheque handover.
“Because the further west you go there are more issues of isolation and problems.”
Suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44.
famouUS spokesperson Rebekah Bullock said the event couldn’t have happened without all the support, especially from sponsor Tanya Forster from Macquarie Health Collective.
“famoUS came together as a eclectic group of friends from various regional areas who have since become lifelong friends,” she said,
“It’s been an amazing journey learning about each other.. through talking about mental health each of us has learnt more together.”
The famoUS group consists of nine men and women from Dubbo, Wellington and Narromine.
famoUS, an acronym for friends and mentors overcoming universal stigma.
Brainchild of famoUs and its president is Wellington’s Rach Rathbone, who has lived experience of bipolar disorder.
There were plenty of special guests on the fundraiser night including Dan Conn, former NRL footy star turned model and wellness guru and also a national Lifeline and RUOK Day ambassador, who spoke about his own personal experience with depression and how he overcame it.
Fay Jackson, Deputy Commissioner with the NSW Mental Health Commission was also there on the night. Fay has a lived experience of bipolar disorder and is general manager with Flourish Australia.
Wellington man, Joe Mason was the MC and music was provided by Peter Riley and a few of his special guest performers.
Thikkabill Vibrations did a special cultural performance for guests.
Dubbo Lifeline will be holding an information night on Tuesday, May 15 from 6pm, for those interested in becoming a telephone counsellor. All are welcome to attend.
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulty please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
