Whitehaven and Goanna Academy support local mental health

Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) has donated $10,000 to the Goanna Academy as part of its ongoing commitment to community health and wellbeing.

The Goanna Academy is Australia’s first accredited and Indigenous-owned mental health education provider. Its aim is to end the stigma around mental health for all Australians, particularly at-risk groups such as regional males, youth and First Nations communities.

The donation was used for an event held in Gunnedah, NSW, which focused on mental health awareness and social engagement in the community.

Organised by Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service – Aboriginal Corporation, a leading healthcare provider in the Tamworth region, the event bought together 300 young people aged between 6-18 plus community members.

Several local organisations, including Whitehaven, Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council, Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation, Gunnedah PCYC, NSW Police, Headspace and others supported the event.

Former Indigenous NRL starts Greg Inglis and Joel Thompson were also in attendance.

TAMS-Acs Gunnedah community recovery and resilience program facilitator Cindy Paull commented on the event.

“We are thrilled with how the event turned out,” she said.

“The support from Whitehaven was instrumental in making this day possible and we’ve seen first-hand the impact it has had on our youth and community.”

Whitehaven senior manager of Aboriginal community relations Bob Sutherland also praised the success of the day.

“We are proud to have sponsored the Goanna Academy event. It was a fantastic day for the local community, filled with meaningful engagement,” he said.

“Whitehaven Coal is committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen our local communities and we look forward to continuing our partnership with TAMS-AC in future community projects.”