Break O'Day Crew hatches fantastic first-ever launch
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: 12 students and an inflatable chicken standing on a footy field in the sunshine holding a Live4Life sign
Very excited to see our first community outside Victoria, Live4Life Break O'Day, commence its official implementation in 2024! 90 students from St Helens and St Marys District High Schools made the trip to Fingal Valley Recreation Reserve on Thursday 23rd May for a memorable launch event.
A packed program planned and organised by the 12 inaugural members of the Live4Life Crew included unveiling the 2024 theme (featuring a VERY local landmark!): “Life is like the Pass — it’s winding, has its ups and downs...but it keeps us all connected.”
One of the new Crew members, Malika, from St Marys, said, “I joined Live4Life because I wanted to help and encourage students to talk about their mental health. Last year, we did Mental Health First Aid Training and it made me want to go further with it, which resulted with me joining the Crew. Being a part of the first Crew on the East Coast makes me feel like I’m able to help other students.”
Over 160 Year 8, 9 and 10 students from St Helens and St Marys District High Schools will take part in the Live4Life program this year.
St Helens Assistant Principal, Heidi Jones, reflected on the day, "We are so incredibly proud of our Crew, who came together to lead the official Launch of Live4Life in Break O’Day so confidently. Since the launch, our very own Mental Health Ambassadors are more driven than ever to raise awareness, support and improve youth mental health within our school and our community. The Live4Life model has opened up space so that our students can begin to have conversations about mental health and seek guidance and support for themselves and their peers."
The event also welcomed distinguished guests Cr Barry LeFevre from Break O’Day Council, community member Su Van Den Heuvel , Nat Lyons from Anglicare Tasmania, Claire French from Project Y, and Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor Michele Reading.
Everyone had heaps of fun. Chickens featured strongly — Dom's hilarious chicken suit, the pass-the-chicken game, egg and spoon race...even chickens on the poster! Everyone had their face painted, played tug of war, kicked the footy, dressed up, and enjoyed pizzas generously provided by a Crew member's family. An awesome event from Break O'Day's first ever Crew! Live4Life Break O’Day has been made possible through funding from the Federal Government's National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program (NSPLSP).
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Student Malika standing at a lectern holding a microphone in front of a Live4Life banner
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Poster with a yellow sun in a red sky coming up over blue mountains and a lake. TEXT: Life is like the Pass - it's winding, has it's ups and downs...But it keeps us all connected + Live4Life Break O'Day