Wollongong City Council will soon open a unique facility with the potential to improve the lives of thousands of local families as a result of a partnership with residents.
Statistics indicate that one in five people will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives, but State and Federal Government agencies are struggling to combat this increasing social epidemic. During 2002, Council formed the Lord Mayor’s Schizophrenia Awareness Project Committee. This committee aims to increase awareness of mental health issues in the Illawarra region. It raised $150,000 to purchase industry leading ‘beta imaging’ technology for ongoing research at the University of Wollongong.
“The university has been a leader in the field of mental health research for some time and decided to invest in the beta imager, not just for research but to also make it available for community use in the rehabilitation of schizophrenia patients,” said Wollongong Lord Mayor, Councillor Alex Darling. “It was hard work, however, after a series of meetings, fundraising events and sponsorship proposals, $230,000 was raised and the equipment installed within a laboratory at the university in 2003.”
Satisfied with achieving the objective, the steering committee, known as the Lord Mayor’s Light and Hope Appeal Committee, turned their sights toward bigger things.
Lord Mayor Darling said the community wanted a facility that not only provided treatment and support for the mentally ill, but a place where they could take time out.
“As a result, a project was initiated with the aim of creating a purpose built mental health ‘clubhouse’ based on successful facilities used in Europe and the United States for rehabilitation purposes,” he said.
Expected to open early next year, the ‘clubhouse’ will provide local patrons and their families with a central facility with access to information on treatment and support, educational and employment opportunities, and leisure options.
Chairperson of the Light and Hope Committee, Stephen Mayers, said the project has been a testament to the power of Council/community partnerships.
“Local families have had a great degree of input into the project to ensure the end result caters to as many needs as possible,” he said.
Council resolved in early 2005 to grant a 99 year lease over the site of the future facility. Local coal mining companies, Gujarat NRE Australia Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal, have made substantial donations toward design and construction costs.
“It is clear everyone from residents to local business, Councillors and staff believe this is a project which is needed in the community,” Lord Mayor Darling said. “The next step will be to negotiate with other organisations for contributions of construction materials.”
For further information contact James Cook, Executive Assistant to the Lord Mayor, on (02) 4227 7102.
