MARCH 6, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
SunFest to shine on Sunbury’s traditional, old-fashioned community fair is back for its 42nd year – and it’s going to be bigger and better than before. SunFest will take over the town on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19, offering free entertainment and fun. Run entirely by volunteers, the event has previously brought together up to 30,000 people as it supports a number of local charities and causes. SunFest vice president Natalie Harrison said the committee had prepared a “bigger and more exciting” fair for 2018. Ms Harrison said she was excited to announce a torchlight parade would be returning after years of absence. “The torchlight parade is back,” she said. “We will have the CFA and other emergency service volunteers marching along O’Shanassy Street and finishing on the Village Green at dusk on Saturday night.” The organisers have also brought back the SunFest RunFest. “We are raising money for Challenge – supporting kids with Cancer and CareWorks SunRanges supporting those during difficult times,” Ms Harrison said. “There is a two-kilometre colour run for the kids and five-kilometre and 10 kilometre events.” For information visit www.SunFest.org. au Sam D’Angelo from Barry Plant Real Estate and Vic Scerri from Vics Food and Wine with the new Sunfest mascot. (Dennis Manktelow)
Serena Seyfort
Mental health cash help By Serena Seyfort Up to $1 million will be spent boosting youth mental health services in the Macedon Ranges in a bid to help reduce the region’s higher-than-average suicide rates. Service providers can apply for funding through the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network to establish programs to help youth. Network deputy chief executive Julie Borninkhof said the federal government funding could be used to help provide intensive youth support through
psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health nurses. Ms Borninkhof said Public Health Information Development Unit data shows suicide rates in the Macedon Ranges are about 40 per cent higher than the Australian average across all age groups. She said the funding targeted youth because “healthy communities stop young people going on to be vulnerable”. Network chief executive and adjunct associate professor Christopher Carter said the goal of the funding was not just to put more money into services, but to create a
system that was accessible, integrated and adaptable to the needs of young people, their carers and families. He said the funding is not intended to duplicate existing services and the health network will help service providers to develop collaborative approaches. Applications for the funding will open soon, with new services expected to begin operating during the second half of 2018. The funding follows calls from Macedon Ranges and Sunbury residents for greater mental health help for young people. The tight-knit communities took to social
media in October in a plea for help. “We need to be doing more,” one resident posted on Facebook. “Too many members of our community have been prematurely taken from us.” Macedon Ranges council has also announced it will conduct more of its Youth Mental Health First Aid courses this year. Visit www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/live4life for more information. Anyone experiencing mental health problems can call Lifeline 13 11 14, the Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or visit www. eheadspace.org.au