MENtal Brekky

We are delighted to announce that 2010 Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry will attend St Patrick’s College as keynote speaker at a special business breakfast in August.

The inaugural MENtal Brekky has been organised by a group of passionate Old Collegians with the aim of raising funds for and awareness of the prevalence of mental health issues among men.

Research indicates that around 23% of all children in Australia have a parent who suffers from a mental health disorder.

The group of Old Boys, working in conjunction with the College, the OCA and the Foundation, will establish the Chris Yeung Fund which will aim to provide fee relief for boys in our community who have members of their family suffering mental health problems.

Chris Yeung (SPC 1975-81), a former student and parent of St Patrick’s College, was just 52 years old when he died in 2015. He had struggled with psychosis since his twenties, ultimately defying it on his own terms.

During this period Chris was an employee, a business owner, a good friend, a loving partner and a father to two magnificent young men -“ Oliver (SPC 2005-10) and Elliott (SPC 2009-14).

Chris was genuinely concerned for other men who were suffering from a mental health disorder.

He considered himself lucky with a supporting and loving family. He personally knew of others who were not so fortunate. He had strong empathy with these men and yet, tragically, chose a path used by so many of his contemporaries.

Even with this close family support, Chris rarely engaged in open and frank conversations about his illness with his friends. Mental illness continues to be something that is not discussed openly and readily in society.

The MENtal Brekky aims to address that issue by ensuring Chris’ legacy is one that encourages us to acknowledge the impact of mental illness and its impact upon society.

In doing so, we hope that men can open up about their experience and share, without prejudice, their journey and hopes for the future.

The MENtal Brekky will be held in the OCA Pavilion from 7am-8.30m on Friday, August 12 and will be hosted by College Legend Steve Moneghetti.

Professor Pat McGorry is internationally recognised for his expertise in relation to mental illness and has kindly donated his time to address this event.

It is expected that just 200 tickets will be sold for this premium event at $50 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the College’s Development Officer Rachel Bryant on 5331 1688 or by booking online at https://www.trybooking.com/KWGA

We are also very grateful for the involvement of national company RI Advice Group and local financial planning practice RetireInvest Ballarat who have come together as the event’s primary sponsor and will donate $5000 towards making it a success.