U Can Cry
Ms MAXWELL (Northern Victoria) (09:42): It gives me great pride and pleasure to speak about Project 365’s U Can Cry and the performances of an incredible group of 15 musicians over the Mother’s Day weekend to raise awareness for mental health and funds for Wangaratta’s Into Our Hands foundation. Pete Rourke wears his heart on his sleeve, and 12 months ago he decided to publicly share his own battles with mental health and bring together 15 musos to deliver a message of hope and encouragement, and that he did. COVID restrictions limited the rehearsal opportunities of the band to only 13 gatherings over 12 months, and what they produced in this period was quite simply remarkable. As someone said on the night, ‘U Can Cry is a group completely absent of ego and full to the brim with talent’. More than 800 people enjoyed the project’s performances across two shows, and it left the community feeling uplifted and wanting more. Project 365 was supported by the Wangaratta Grit and Resilience project and some proactive locals. They raised more than $33 000 for the Into Our Hands foundation and delivered the most important message that it is okay not to be okay and that you are not alone. Congratulations to everyone involved. Your community is very proud of you—I sure as hell am. And thank you, Pete Rourke, for getting this off the ground.