Underground storytime success

underway, and it is anticipated operators will be welcoming the community to this new facility from October this year.

Health centre is an initiative of the Australian Government, with funding provided through Country SA PHN to FocusOne Health. This initiative ensures that individuals in the community can access the mental health support they need, when they need it, at no cost.

Country SA PHN Chief Executive Officer Mark Hartigan said Country SA PHN was pleased that adults in the Limestone Coast would have a centre they can access for support from this week and a purpose designed new Head to Health space from October.

“The Head to Health site will offer access to information and services designed to empower, support, and improve psychological and physical health, and social and emotional wellbeing,” Mr Hartigan said.

“These services will be provided by an experienced team of trained mental health workers, supported by other specialised allied health professionals.

“Working to complement existing services, the Head to Health site will bridge a gap in mental health support for adults in the Limestone Coast community.”

Through the expansion of FocusOne Health services and the establishment of a dedicated space, their objective was to create a secure and easily accessible hub for mental health assistance.

The Mount Gambier Head to Health centre goes beyond providing direct service - it is designed to connect individuals with the specific services that best meet their needs.

It will prioritise building strong connections and offering comprehensive service navigation to ensure that each person receives the appropriate care and support they require.

The ultimate goal is to enhance accessibility by establishing seamless pathways that lead individuals to the most suitable and effective resources for their mental health journey.

FocusOne Health CEO Scerina Rasheed said they would like to express their gratitude to the community for their ongoing support, and invite everyone to stay engaged and updated on the progress of Mount Gambier Head to Health services.

“Together, we can strengthen mental health services, reduce stigma, and ensure that everyone in our community has access to the support they deserve”.

Opportunity to meet councillors face-to-face

Glenelg Shire residents are invited to take the opportunity to chat with councillors and staff about local projects, highlight ideas and more as Council’s Listening Post program gets underway this year.

Nelson will play host to the first of Council’s 2023 – 2024 Listening Posts, with a drop in session being held from 11am-1pm at the Nelson Hotel (pictured) on Friday.

Last week’s Naracoorte Caves was a resounding success with almost 80 people, including more than 40 children, headed into Blanche Cave at the World Heritage listed Naracoorte Caves National Park for the free session filled with singing, dancing and storytime fun.

Led by Tara Maresch from the Naracoorte Library + Town Hall, the session was a collaborative project between National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia and Naracoorte Lucindale Council.

Tara read ‘Dippy and the Dinosaurs’ during the session, which was followed by free self-guided tours of Stick Tomato Cave.

Due to the popularity of the event, another Active Storytime at the Caves may be held later in the year.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Cr Scott Martin aid the Listening Posts were designed to provide an informal, relaxed opportunity for the community to meet with Councillors and staff to exchange information and ideas.

“Our 2021-2025 Council Plan makes a commitment to host engagement sessions, and we know that many community members do not wish to attend a formal meeting or appointment to discuss ideas for their township or relevant group,” Cr Martin said.

“As a result, the Listening Posts provide a more relaxed setting for residents to feel comfortable to ‘drop in’ and share their ideas.

“Our first Listening Post will take place in Nelson as promised at the March Council meeting . I encourage Nelson residents to drop in anytime between 11am –1pm at the Nelson Hotel.

“There is no need to RSVP, simply come down and share your ideas - this could be on improvements for the town, ideas on current and future services or simply just to touch base and connect with council.”

Cr Martin thanked all those who provided feedback via a survey on Council’s Your Say Glenelg website about the Listening Posts earlier this year.

“We released a survey a few months ago to determine the community’s preferred dates, times, and locations to host the Listening Post sessions across the Shire,” he said. “I thank the community groups and individuals who took the time to provide their preferences - we received a number of responses that helped us set the 2023/2024 program.”