Winton Shire Council recently hosted an “Unwind with Mental Health Plasma Decorating Workshop” with the ever-talented Gidgee Smith.
Council community welfare manager Shannon Van Bael said Gidgee, an inspiring and captivating speaker, spoke about her own struggles with mental health and how she and her family coped during the workshop.
“The event was held over two days with 22 attendees coming from Winton and surrounding properties; it was fantastic to see a couple of men join in,” Shannon said.
“The plasma workshop involved participants decorating their own windmill blade, allowing them to learn new skills and let their creative flare to shine.
“Some found the workshop therapeutic while others found the workshop to be a positive social interaction that allowed them to walk away feeling accomplished.
“A special guest from Outback Futures joined the workshop and delivered the Head Yakka Program. Outback Futures is working with the Winton Shire Council to better understand, value and advocate for mental health and wellbeing in themselves, their families and the community as a whole.”
The Winton Shire Council hosted this workshop as part of the Community and Individual Support Program and it was free of charge to participants.
“It is great to be able to deliver these types of workshops to the community, free or of a small charge to those attending as it brings community members near and far together and allows them to experience activities, they wouldn’t normally indulge in,” Shannon said.
“Participants also helped decorate a windmill to be displayed in the community which represented the support of mental health awareness.”
