In January 2023 President, June Driscoll, presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Ballarat and District Suicide Awareness Network Inc  Chair, Cr Des Hudson, for the facilitation of community Safe Talk workshops.

Ms Driscoll said the funds were the proceeds of a very successful fundraising activity undertaken by the Club in the leadup to Christmas. The Club sold a range of Gourmet Goodies hampers and Brewers Packs which included produce and beers from 18 local suppliers and 4 local brewers. Club members worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the project selling 592 hampers and raising just on $10,800.00.

Chair of the Fundraising Committee, Mr Garry McKenzie, said the support from local suppliers was outstanding. We saw this activity as a way of generating much needed business for local traders, who were still recovering from the pandemic. We also had great support from local businesses who bought hampers as gifts for their staff and clients.

The Club felt that the funds needed to be directed to an organisation to assist them in their work. The Ballarat and District Suicide Prevention Network commenced in 2011 and is committed to opening up the conversation about suicide, reducing stigma surrounding suicide and increasing access to suicide prevention services.

Cr Hudson said that suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians under the age of 44. Lifeline believes most suicides are preventable and we all have a role to play. He thanked the Club for their support and said the money would be used to support the ongoing work of the Network.
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