4 December 2008
This weekend’s Rockin’ the Black Dog concert not only showcases some great Hunter musicians – it shows just what can be achieved when the community comes together.
The free all-ages concert is on Saturday 6 December 2008, from 11am to 8pm at Camp Shortland (opposite Nobby’s Beach) with a line-up that includes The Boat People, The Seabellies, Jenny Morris, The Retro Rockets, Vaudeville, Amy Vee & The Virtues and Mark Wells, among others.
The all-day music festival will be a celebration of life and music and an opportunity for people to find out more about depression and other mental illnesses, and local support services.
The Hunter Institute of Mental Health, a unit of Hunter New England Health, has given the event its wholehearted support.
The Institute’s Program Manager, Jaelea Skehan, said the concert was a chance to break down some of the barriers surrounding mental health and to reach out to the Hunter community.
“If we are going to raise awareness of mental health issues and break down stigma, then we really do need the support of the community,” Ms Skehan said.
“This event shows what is possible when so many people pool their talents and energies to promote an important message – we need to become just as comfortable talking about our mental health as we are talking about our physical health.
“Importantly, people need to know that the best time to seek help and support is at the earliest possible point.”
Rockin’ the Black Dog was an idea conceived by local musician and composer Gareth Hudson and local businessman Russell Frith as a way to bring the community together to enjoy some great homegrown music and provide a forum for finding out more about mental illness and support services.
The festival will also honour Russell’s wife Julie, who lost her life and her battle with severe depression in May.
The Hunter Institute of Mental Health has co-ordinated information and resources from a number of local and national organisations for people to take away, and many of it’s staff are volunteering their time to disseminate information and answer questions.
“I’m thrilled to have the Hunter Institute of Mental Health involved in the event,” Ms Skehan said.
“Rockin’ the Black Dog has received support from so many people – including the Council which has provided the facilities, the musicians who have given their time and talent, businesses who have donated sponsorship money, and all the mental health organisations who have donated their resources.”
The festival is free, however people can make a cash donation on the day or donate through the Hunter Institute of Mental Health’s website at www.himh.org.au . Any money raised will go to the Institute to assist in developing and implementing education and training programs aimed at increasing community awareness of mental health issues.
The event also has the support of the Black Dog Institute; beyondblue – the national depression initiative; Lifeline Newcastle; Hunter Headspace; Kids Help Line; Mensline Australia and many others.
For more information on Rockin’ the Black Dog – including a full rundown of the performers, and more on the story of Julie Firth – go to www.himh.org.au .
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS:
PHOTO AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES will be available on the day. Contact people and space for interviews has been arranged for the main event tent, located around to the left from the main stage.
Available for interview on the day will be:
· Organisers Gareth Hudson and Russell Frith
· Hunter Institute of Mental Health Director Trevor Hazel or Program Manager Jaelea Skehan
· Hunter Headspace (Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation)
· Young people from online youth mental health service Reach Out
· Band members (depending on time available)
To arrange interviews and media opportunities on the day, please contact Mimi on 0438 273 575, Jaelea on 0402 292 005 or Elise on 0432 344 836.
