THE countdown is on for the Central West’s first ever Orange Elephant Ball.
Tickets are sold out, the band is booked and bow ties are flying off shelves ahead of next Saturday’s event which will raise money and awareness for mental ill health in young people.
“We want to get the message out that it’s alright to have a chat with a mate about how you’re feeling,” said organiser Aaron Almond, Orange.
Having endured mental illness for many years now, Mr Almond sought inspiration from Tamworth’s annual White Elephant Ball.
“I thought, let’s do the same here in the Central West and get everyone talking. I’m already thinking about ideas for next year’s event.”
He said it surprised him to learn many other young professionals like him were living in the district with depression.
“I always thought I was different because I thought mental illness stemmed from a bad family life or challenges with drug and alcohol abuse – none of which I had ever experienced,” he said.
“It stunned me when my pharmacist told me I wasn’t alone.”
To get the ball rolling Mr Almond teamed up with his wife, Emma, and a group of young professionals. The crew come from a wide range of backgrounds and are working in sectors including health, finance, education, trade and small business. Collectively they have a breadth of experiences when it comes to mental health and illness, from the individual to the various ripple effects on parents, siblings, friends, partners and colleagues.
They’ve set the fundraising bar at $40,000 – a goal which will be hit on the night through live and silent auctions.
All funds raised will go to Batyr – a charity which delivers programs that train young people to speak about their personal experience with mental ill health and start a conversation in their community. Specifically, the funds raised on the night will go towards the charity’s work with schools in the Central West.
Batyr’s founder Seb Roberston will speak at the ball and share his personal story. He started Batyr at age 25 after experiencing the frustration and isolation of living silently with mental ill health while at university. He recognised it was time to start having open honest conversations about mental health with young people.
- Stay tuned for photo galleries from the night.
