Connecting our community
Pro-actively supporting our
community well being
MHFA - get your certificate. We believe that 'Prevention through Education' for all youth from preschool to Year 12 can equip our children with knowledge and skills to develop resilience and self-awareness from a young age.
Get your MHFA certificate
Youth Mental Health First Aid. The Youth Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to a young person (aged 12–18) who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received, or the crisis resolves.
It is our aim that community members will be trained to deliver Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) which will rapidly build the capacity of the community due to the interconnected nature of small rural towns. Training people as MHFA Trainers will enable them to leverage existing connections and provide MHFA training to teachers, council, sporting groups, business chambers, employment services, disability services, churches, charities, preschools, and Elders.
We anticipate this approach of leveraging existing relationships will enable a large percentage of the Gunnedah population to undertake MHFA.
Please contact us if you are interested in participating in our next MHFA Training session in Gunnedah NSW.
Bucket loads of inspiration
A flourishing community where ...
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID FOR SCHOOLS
Handball Competition 2025
The inaugural handball event promoted positive wellbeing and engagement among the local youth and community. There was a real buzz in the air on competition day! Twenty-two handball players from the community, schools and local businesses took part in teh knockout comp outside the Smithhurst Theatre.
Raised $4600
It was a fun afternoon which included people from all kinds of businesses, schools and community groups. Highlighted by some keen moves by the Pinnacle Ag boys Glen Pinn and Jimmy Lee-Warner and Dan Pass from Carinya was very keen to show his style.
Fun
Some special awards were given out to:
Best Nutties - Ryan and Dom from Gunnedah Public
Best Primary Student - Millie Lyle from St Xaviers
Most Enthusiastic - Dan Pass from Carinya.
Sponsorship
Lure it Up Program
Lure it Up!
‘Lure It Up’ is a new program we are delivering in Gunnedah to engage our young people to make lures, make connections and get them outside enjoying our local natural resources. Ripple Effect North West, together with Robert Styan from Cooba Coby Lures in Toowoomba, has developed a unique lure-making kit designed to be used in small groups. The idea is to create a space where kids can chat, connect, and build something they’re genuinely interested in. The program allows young people to make a fishing lure from a kit they are supplied with and then they are able to make it their own.
Connecting and engaging
This community-driven program brings young people together to craft their own fishing lures while building connection, creativity, and wellbeing. Designed for small groups, it encourages conversation, reduces screen time, and strengthens community ties through a fun, engaging, and meaningful shared experience.
PCYC collaboration
We provide the kits and resources, and facilitators are free to adapt it to suit their setting. We are very excited that the PCYC is on board this year to run the program within their 2025 schedule with around 30 students.
Please contact us if your school or community group is interested in bringing this initiative to your place.
Benefits
• Accessible through schools and communities.
• Complements adult mental health first aid
training and other mental health supports.
• Reduces stigmatising attitudes or
misconceptions about mental illness.
Advantages
Social Connections
• Improves understanding of mental health
problems (recognition and response).
• Improves helpful intentions towards peers
(likelihood of providing support).
• Improves recognition of support pathways
e.g. teachers, school counsellors and mental
health services.
• Increases social connectedness and
reduces isolation.
• Empowers young people to help
other young people –
playing an active role in
mental health knowledge and
skills for
life.
Our Amazing Partners
Thank you for your support for our ongoing mission to support our community.
Located in Gunnedah NSW. Located 420km from Sydney. 100km from Tamworth and 780km from Brisbane.