Bendigo Advertiser letters to the editor

The Bendigo Inventor Awards initiative is reminding all Australians that our innate ‘can do’ attitude will overcome any adversity that pops up in life’s journey whether in work, sport, business or life in general and FOF is determined to inspire all attendees.

Five fabulous speakers from diverse backgrounds will entertain with their stories and experiences of things not going right and how those unhappy  events at the time enlightened and strengthened them personally and how what they learnt can be shared by all.   With thousands of quotes on overcoming failure one of my favourites from American novelist Truman Capote is ‘failure is the condiment that gives success its flavour’. How true it is.

The BIA  invites everyone to participate in an exciting Australian first in Bendigo and see once again why this region is built on fantastic optimism, hard work and a belief in ourselves. We can do it.

Bendigo Animal Welfare & Community Services would like to thank the following agencies and representatives for their support for our successful grant application to improve animal welfare in our community: Annie North Inc., Haven Home Safe, Anglicare Victoria, City of Greater Bendigo, Lisa Chesters MP, Jacinta Allan MP and of course the State Government of Victoria for providing the opportunity for funding for animal welfare initiatives.

This important grant will allow for additional kennels to be built at our shelter to support the growing demand for emergency pet accommodation for disadvantaged pet owners including victims of domestic violence, those suffering mental health issues, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, homelessness and hospitalisation/respite care. The funding we have received will also allow BAWCS to offer feline desexing at substantially reduced costs to disadvantaged cat owners together with a Responsible Cat Ownership Education Program aimed at keeping our feline friends safe at all times.   Program details will be announced soon.

Compare the Hargreaves Mall with Hargreaves Street between Mitchell Street and  Edwards Street – approximately 75 car parks and no vacant shops. Does that tell you something!

The statistics regarding mental health in Australia are both startling and unacceptable. One in three Australians will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. Suicide is the biggest killer of young Australians and accounts for the deaths of more young people than car accidents.

We need to acknowledge those who are doing ground-breaking work in this area.

The Australian Mental Health Prize seeks to recognise Australians who have made outstanding contributions to either the promotion of mental health or the prevention and treatment of mental illness in areas such as advocacy, research or service.

I would like to encourage clinicians, health professionals and the public at large to nominate the people they feel should be recognised for their work.

More information and nomination forms can be obtained from www.australianmentalhealthprize.org.au. Entries close on August 31. For those who are living with the burden of mental illness every day, thank you for your support.