#CEOdesk

Our Well-Being Grants program officially launched in January 2019 and funded community-led initiatives that supported the mental health, well-being and resilience of farming communities affected by drought. These grants were funded through the Federal Government's 'Empowering Our Communities' (EOC) initiative.

We are pleased to announce the region’s third GP-led COVID-19 Respiratory Clinic has opened in Windsor today.

This week we celebrate the NSW Seniors Festival and the unique contribution older people make to our community. It is also a chance to highlight that for many older Australians social isolation and loneliness is a significant issue.

We welcome Federal Government’s announcement yesterday of $76 million for mental health support in response to the current bushfire crisis.

Bushfires have directly impacted our region, particularly in the areas of Lithgow and the Hawkesbury, with early indications that as many as 100 houses may have been lost, with possibly a further 40 damaged and over 300 other structures destroyed or damaged.

Our Well-Being Grants to Support Farming Communities project has provided us with the opportunity to engage with some of the isolated communities within our region. 

We have heard many stories from those impacted by the drought, particularly in the outer-lying areas of Lithgow and Hawkesbury. One person who has openly shared her personal journey is St Albans farmer, Sherri McMahon. Sherri has told us heart-wrenching stories of having to put down animals in poor condition, or because they have become ill from eating poisonous plants as a result of limited feed supply. 

On Wednesday I was thrilled to officially launch the NewAccess program for the Lithgow and Hawkesbury communities. 

Developed by Beyond Blue, and provided by Marathon Health, NewAccess is an early intervention self-referral program for people 16 years and over who may be going through tough times. 

I am pleased to welcome Dr Tony Rombola as the new Chair of the Wentworth Healthcare Board.

In November our previous Chair, Dr Andrew Knight, will have served his maximum term as a Director and will be leaving our Board after a seven year tenure. This change of responsibility prior to Andrew's departure will allow Tony to have a smooth transition and a comprehensive handover. I would like to thank Andrew for his vision and leadership as Chair and for his support for me as CEO.

On Thursday, I was invited to an event where Senator Deborah O'Neill, Assistant Shadow Minister for Mental Health, and Susan Templeman, Member for Macquarie, announced that Labor will also fund a headspace Centre in Katoomba, in addition to a new outreach service in the Hawkesbury, if elected into Government.

We are passionate about improving the mental health of our local communities and are thrilled that both Katoomba and the Hawkesbury will receive funding for headspace services if Labor is elected.

I am excited to announce the first of our Well-Being Grants to Support Farming Communities recipients launched their project yesterday.

Hawkesbury Be & Co. is a fortnightly pop-up social event that aims to foster community connections and improve access to support for isolated people.

Our Well-Being Grants to Support Farming Communities is funded by the Federal Government’s Empowering Our Communities project, which was introduced as one of several measures to support communities affected by drought.