What a glorious day at the Australian once again! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the support, generosity and willingness to be open to receiving the messages around mental ill-health and suicide prevention.
Huge congratulations to Andrew Johnson on a well-deserved victory and to Nick Allen and Jack Harrison on their four ball/ better ball win.
The goal for the day was to raise more awareness than funds. To that end, I’m so grateful for the open discussions that were entered into throughout the room and I hope that they sparked further conversation, investigation and comfort in talking about/dealing with mental ill health and suicide.
It’s too easy to put certain behaviour into a ‘oh it’s just them being a millennial’ but as we heard on the day, when it happens, it’s real and horrible and scary… Why do I use such simplistic language? Well, the complexity of the language doesn’t change the horror of suicide, so let’s not dress it up…
I urge all of us to treat the behaviour of our young friends and family in the same way we would if they were older friends and family. If the energy, chat, actions aren’t quite in tune with their true nature, then talk to them… and you may not get through at first. Don’t give up. They are proud and capable but they may not realise they are not fully equipped just yet…
I am pleased to say that Batyr and Smiling Mind, two wonderful organisations which focus on youth mental health issues, equally shared in the funds raised as a result of the day.
This is another fantastic effort and it doesn’t happen without your wonderful generosity, time and engagement, so thank you to:
- Huge thanks to Melissa O’Sullivan, Dan Kytic, Nathan Gibbons and their crews who did a phenomenal job in all areas: Course presentation, hosting, facilities, menus, the staff and the booze.
- All attendees for bringing a bottle for the wine auction – I think we can all agree it was a huge success and great fun!
- Thankyou to everyone for attending sparking conversation and for filling the day with joy and engagement in the room.
And here’s to Giving a Little Love to many more events and many more deserving causes over the coming years.
