About Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative
The Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative (SRWC) is a group that meets regularly to discuss emerging community risk, initiatives available for implementation and areas of need in our community.
Our vision is a community where everyone can achieve their best possible mental health.
We have come together to support the community in and around Finley, Tocumwal, Barooga, Berrigan and Jerilderie to identify the needs and opportunities to build resilience and wellbeing. We have stakeholders from a variety of local services as well as community member representation to provide insight into need and identify areas that require action in a way that is meaningful and relevant to the local community.
Member for Albury and Parliamentary Secretary for Health Justin Clancy, Gabrielle Coupland and Dennis Sutton from the Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative, Minister for Mental Health, Regional Health and Women Bronnie Taylor and Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative member Catherine Healey. Photo by Anne Freestone
Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative member Dennis Sutton having a chat to some locals about what we do.
Member for Albury and Parliamentary Secretary for Health Justin Clancy, Gabrielle Coupland and Dennis Sutton from the Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative, Minister for Mental Health, Regional Health and Women Bronnie Taylor and Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative member Catherine Healey. Photo by Anne Freestone
How the SRWC was established
In March 2022, community members from Berrigan, Jerilderie, Tocumwal, Finley and Barooga, as well as representatives from local PHN, emergency response, education, health and the NSW Community Collaborative team formed the Southern Riverina Collaborative (the Collaborative).
The founding members of the SRWC were Catherine Healy, Jane Harris, Dennis Sutton, Yasmin McGrath, Gabrielle Coupland as well as Kate Murray.
The establishment of the Collaborative recognised the compounding impact that COVID-19, geographical barriers to service access and recent child safety concerns have had on community connections and the mental health and wellbeing of individuals within the Southern Riverina.
From its inception, the Collaborative has been community led and proactively driven, with the action group arm of the Collaborative meeting monthly to identify and discuss community needs.
Our achievements (so far)
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Feedback received from 100 community members to inform strategic priority for group in 2022.
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Funded coordinator role for 6 months to implement funded grant activities recruited.
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Out of the shadows walk held September 2022 and 23
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Finley extravaganza Family event funded rides for children December 2022.
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Implementation of the Burn bright program across 4 days for students from years 6, 8, 10 and 12. (total 260+ students)
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Mental health first aid and youth mental health first aid sessions held across region (over 73 people trained) cost would normally be over $29,000
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Currently running safeguarding sessions run by the ACF for child protection for businesses as well as parents and carers up to 150 community members educated.
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Monthly meetings run by community members to discuss community risk and promote relevant programs across region.
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Geotargeted campaigns run with reach of over 10,000 individual users and 165 link clicks.
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Development of the SRWC website to provide information available locally.
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The future potential of a Wellness Centre available to our community.
Our objectives
Foster Connection
The SRWC supports connection, building within the community and professional networks.
Build Capacity
Our aim is to build resilience and wellbeing in the community.
Implement Actions
The SRWC supports the community by implementing actions that support protective factors and improved mental health literacy.