SMPCP's inaugural Fluro Friday, held in 2015, expanded on the Celebrate Mental Health Walk of previous years. Our Fluro Friday event was inspired by the One Wave is all it takes campaign and was initiated by community member Stephen Hall. The local event was supported through partnerships with Mordialloc Life Saving Club, Mind (Matt Dale), Sunny King Paddle Boards (Nick King), Beaumaris Lions Club, Moorabbin Lions Club, Kingston Gardens Salvation Army, Bentleigh Bayside Community Health, Cheltenham Secondary College , Kingston City Council and numerous volunteers on the day.
Boon Wurrung Elder, Carolyn Briggs opened the formal part of the day with a Welcome to Country speech. After introductory speeches by Kingston Mayor Geoff Gledhill and local MP Tim Richardson; retired MP, Neil Cole spoke openly of his experience with mental illness. The audience appreciated both his frankness and obvious example of living well with his illness. Speeches were interspersed with outdoor activities which included beach yoga (Tania Perry), and Tai Chi (Coralie Crocker). By far the most popular option though was the stand up paddle boarding. Numerous community and mental health agencies were on hand to provide information and add colour to the event and the display of artwork from students attending the local LEEP alternative was outstanding. Live music provided by John Bingham, Ryan Kisby and Gary Cuthell rounded out the day to everyone's enjoyment.
We hope this will be the first of many Fluro Friday's where we help make the INVISIBLE - VISIBLE!
We would also like to acknowledge the following event partners who helped make the day a wonderful success:
Alfred Health
Baker IDI
Bayside City Council
Beyond Blue
Central Bayside Community Health Services
Headspace
Inner South Community Health
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council