Thursday, 23 March 2023

 Wayne FARNHAM (Narracan) (09:50): I rise today to talk about my local community and the annual footy game held between the Warragul Dusties and Buln Buln footy clubs – both clubs I used to play footy with. In conjunction with Mindfull Aus, they started an annual game to raise money for mental health awareness in sporting clubs in honour of one of our local footballers, Tyson Bale, who played football with both of these clubs. Unfortunately, Tyson died in 2020 during the COVID lockdowns. Sometimes with tragedy, positives can occur. In Tyson’s memory the Tyson Bale Memorial Fund was established. This year the annual footy game raised $4500. All this money is used for mental health awareness in sporting clubs, implemented by Mindfull Aus, one of my local mental health providers.

It is a great testament to my community that they have got behind this event, and I give a big shout-out to the following businesses: Bowens, Bunnings, Hip Pocket Workwear, the Club Hotel, Warragul, the Warragul Downtowner, Ace Industrial and the Maffra post office. We talk and talk and talk about mental health, but it is so good when a community comes together to make a positive difference and create something into the future that may benefit many. Congratulations to all involved. Keep up the good work, and thank you to the local community for supporting this event.