2 July – Pollies and Perinatal Mental Health
Thanks to Melanie who spoke courageously about her struggles due to the absence of mother and baby support and the need to reduce perinatal stigma. The impact of the housing crisis on mental health really hit home when we took food to those living in the Wilks tent community, discussing their first hand stories with local MP Dr Joe McGirr.
1 July – Welcome to Wagga Wagga
First stop, the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga. More than a service provider, it is a place of welcome and belonging for refugees and new arrivals. Our host Thom spoke passionately about their work helping people settle into the Riverina with mental health, legal and employment services, youth programs, playgroups, women’s groups… you name it!
30 June – And a Thirsty Devil!
The highlight of the day was attending Richard’s regular Meet, Mingle and Listen event. With more than 50 community members in attendance sharing mental health experience, asking questions and connecting with others. We’re so grateful to Dr Amanda Cohn MLC for joining the panel discussion and her ongoing mental health advocacy.
30 June – A Purple Chicken…?
We kicked off the day meeting BEING member Richard, along with other local mental health advocates Katie and Meg at The Purple Chicken, a fantastic community café in Albury operating as an NDIS-supported business. After lunch we visited the Greater Hume Council to discuss local mental health needs.
18 June – Visiting the Medicare Mental Health Centre Coffs Harbour
We finished our day at the Coffs Harbour Medicare MH Centre. Given the absence of a Safe Haven in the area, the Centre represents a warm, welcoming and non-clinical environment for the community. Housing, poor transitions, lack of investment and trauma-informed care are all addressable issues we’ve heard during our visits that are contributing the mental health burden.
18 June – So much need!
Thanks to our lovely host Michelle and the wonderful team at Mission Australia. We’re grateful for them sharing their observations of the intersection between the justice system, mental health and AOD. Impacts of the housing crisis and homelessness are also a big area of concern as is fragmentation in service provision and a lack of continuity of care. There is just so much need.
18 June – The comfort of lived experience in action
Thanks to Brenda and the team from Brainstorm Mid North Coast, an independent community group for lived experience advocacy. They made time to share concerns about inpatient care, the need for more funding and reiterated the pressures we’ve heard about the housing and cost of living crisis. LOVE their volunteer-driven initiative, providing care packs to people admitted to the MHU.
17 June – Need for improvements across the board
We met with Lily from the Coffs Neighbourhood Centre (L) and Youth Mental Health Peer Worker, Sarray (R.) So much need! They shared concerns about the growing levels of homelessness leading to tent communities and the devastating impact on mental health. And the absence of a Safe Haven locally means those in crisis have no option but to fall back on the ED.
17 June – So nice to see you!
This morning we got to meet face to face with Bee, a member of our online Rural and Remote advisory committee. She reflected on how limited opportunities for connection, combined with a lack of accessible supports, can leave people feeling disconnected from both services and community. And we talked about the role of AI, the impact of the housing crisis and the need for better cultural inclusion.
16 June – We’re off again!
The sun came out to welcome us in Coffs Harbour this afternoon. Can’t wait to meet everyone this week and to hear how you think we need to improve the system in this part of the state.
Plus we got a selfie with the Big Banana! How good!!
4 June – Narromine Wellbeing Hub
Stopped to meet with Bec who heads up the Wellbeing Club at Narromine High School and we were blown away! Serving both former and current students and their families, the Hub is true wraparound support in action with primary care, allied health and specialists all brought together where people are at! Fabulous!
2 June – Hello Dubbo!
In the afternoon, we visited Dubbo Base Hospital touring the inpatient units and meeting with a psychiatric registrar and peer worker. We rounded out our day with a lovely afternoon tea at Mission Australia. Thanks to Ben from the PHN for organising and introducing us to your clients to hear directly about their experiences.
2 June – Tours and talk
Kicked off with a tour of the Medicare Mental Health Centre (pic) and a chance to talk to the staff. Congrats on creating such a warm, welcoming and beautiful space for the community. We then dropped in to the Dubbo Safe Haven. Thank you Kelly for organising and for introducing us to your incredible team!
1 June – Hello Dubbo!
We’ve arrived in Dubbo on the next leg of our Regional Roadshow. We had time to meet with Belinda from Family and Carers today, learning more about the gaps in the community and how better and free access to supports is so vital here. Time for a good night’s rest before a FULL day of meeting’s tomorrow!
27 May – Farewell Port Macquarie…. Dubbo/Tamworth here we come!
We’ve had an unforgettable week here in Port Mac with the Kinchela Boys Home Sorry Day commemoration a real highlight. So many committed, passionate people advocating for consumer rights, building capacity and fuelling recovery.
We restart June 1-2 in Dubbo/Tamworth. Click here to request a meeting.
27 May – Supporting those in need
We met BEING members over morning tea at Endeavour Clubhouse, who offer a psychosocial vocational program building self-esteem, self-confidence and wellbeing to reduce hospitalisation. We also had time to meet with residents of the mental health unit at Port Macquarie hospital and see some of their art.
26 May – Meetings, meetings, meetings!
In the afternoon we met with Jo from Nurturing Connections and one of her programme participants before visiting the team at Hospital in the Home (pictured) to learn about their consumer-centric approach and finally Aunty Leanne at the Aboriginal-led Safe Haven. What an rich and rewarding day!
26 May – Sorry Day (Kinsela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation)
We were honoured to attend the Sorry Day commemoration and lay flowers on behalf of BEING. Uncle Fred welcomed us to Country and led a smoking ceremony, with candles lit for Elders past, present and future. The community spirit was palpable as we paused on the platform to reflect and remember.
25 May – Port Macquarie, Mission Australia
Thanks everyone at Mission Australia for the warm welcome, and the snacks! We share your real concerns about the impact of NDIS changes on local communities. You spoke SO passionately about the need for dedicated services for the queer community, particularly young queer people in the region.
25 May – Meeting members in Port Macquarie
Lovely to meet you today Anne, one of our BEING members, to hear about your journey and your work. And thanks for introducing us to the great coffee at the Little Shack! Yum!
25 May – Dreary start to the day at Sydney Airport
Not quite the weather we had hoped for on the tarmac before heading to Port Macquarie! But even today’s weather can’t dampen our excitement for making new connections and being able to carry more lived experience forward into our advocacy!
25 May – On our way to Port Macquarie
After a short break, we’re packed and on our way this morning to our second Roadshow destination, Port Macquarie. We can’t wait to hear how your issues resonate with those we heard in Moree, and how they differ.
The Roadshow keeps up a cracking pace from this week (schedule.) If you’re near ANY of our upcoming desinations, reach out using this form to set up a meeting.
4 May – Flourish Moree
In the afternoon we got a lovely warm welcome from Luisa and Mel at the local Flourish office. They shared their experience of the impacts of substance use in the community, which, combined with a lack of social activities/opportunities for connection all too often drives isolation impacting community mental health.
4 May – First stop, Pius X Aboriginal Corporation
Was lovely to meet Beverley at the Pius X Aboriginal Corporation, providing the local Aboriginal Community with quality Medical Care and Support Programs. Apparently there’s only one FIFO psychiatrist supporting Moree, in a town where the systems and supports it needs are already at capacity. Consumers needing care often travel well out of the area, creating stress through cultural and social disconnection.
4 May – And we’re off!
The wait is over and our Rural and Regional Roadshow 2026 is underway!
Giancarlo and Kylie were up bright and early this morning in Moree ahead of a full day of meetings and opportunities to make connections with mental health consumers in the State’s north.