Switch the headspace: Match for Mental Health

Friday February 24, 2023

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:22): I rise to talk about a pretty important issue for our community, that is, mental health. Out of this concern rose an idea called Switch the Headspace Match for Mental Health, which was held last Friday. It was designed to do two things: first of all, to raise awareness and funds for mental health, and to reduce the stigma; and to reach and educate the wider South-East community on mental health, aiming to encourage those who may not have traditionally sought mental health support and give them the ability to reach out.

An eight-person organising committee comprises Adam Todd, Adam Richards, Jesse Plunkett, Celeste Raymond, Shane Raymond, Matt Roscow, Luke Thomson and Aaron Davis. The initial idea started with three of those people: Adam Todd, Adam Richards and Jesse Plunkett. The idea was to have a fundraiser, and it originated during one of their podcasts. The idea grew, and the three of them recruited the help of their close friends and local social worker, Celeste Raymond, who was more than happy to help with the event.

After months and months of planning and hard work, and support from local businesses and community members, the team organised the venue logistics, branded footy guernseys, catering, bar facilities, live music, raffles, auctions and more. 'Switch the Headspace' was a mash-up between Headspace and Switch The Play—a mental health and wellbeing initiative by Celeste Raymond. Ex-football legends came to the Limestone Coast to play in a game to raise awareness for mental health. These included Dane Swan, Leon Davis, Shane Mumford, Jordan Murdoch, Brodie Murdoch and Winis Imbi.

Those legends, along with some local legends and a few politicians as well, came together to form two teams. I must acknowledge here the fantastic support of Coopers, and the Coopers family, who donated the guernseys for both teams and supplied a fair bit of the bar facilities as a fundraiser. Lots of local businesses also got on board with sponsorships; I know that Mick Lamond would not take any payment for the meat he provided, and sponsors promoted the event.

Last Friday, over 3,000 people attended East Gambier Football Club to watch the game. Final tallies are still coming in, but over $30,000 of profit has been raised for the Limestone Coast Headspace, with further donations still coming in.

It was a fantastic night. I must admit I was a bit surprised by the pace of the game; sitting in full forward and having some extremely good players playing on me, I was able to get my hands on it a couple of times, but it was a good spectacle for all involved. In fact, over 3,000 people is probably the largest crowd some of them have ever seen—

An honourable member interjecting:

Mr BELL: We should have got you down there to play as well, actually. Just to sum up, one of the local legends, ex North Gambier premiership coach Winis Imbi, who had a brief stint at Essendon as well, said he did not hesitate to play for such a good cause. In his words:

[The decision] was reaffirmed as well when we were doing the smoking ceremony and I was a bit nervous playing again. Then when I saw a dad crying who had lost his son to mental health, that put it all in perspective for me. It also gave me some perspective of what it is all about, and it was so special to have Dane Swan, Shane Mumford and Leon Davis here to [impress the crowd].

Imbi also spoke about the importance of checking in on your mates and also speaking up if you are not okay and getting the help you need to get back on track. Mental health is such an important thing, and you just need to check in and ask your mate if he or she is okay.

Speeches