On the Grapevine- Youth mental health in the spotlight

Last week, ‘Outside The Locker Room’ chief executive officer Todd Morgan journeyed to Cobram from his home in Ringwood to conduct a valuable program for young footballers and netballers aged 15 and upwards to raise greater awareness of the need to be there for each other.

Todd took on the role as CEO from founder Jake Edwards, a former AFL footballer who despite his skills on the football field like many other talented sports people had to deal with his own debilitating mental issues.

Jake came to Cobram in 2019 and spoke to both Cobram and Barooga footballers, followed up on one or two other occasions by Todd to help those who needed a shoulder, a quiet word, a mate or mentor who listens and cares.

So positive and enlightening was last week’s event, with attendance near 120, the cub proposes to conduct a similar event each year and is hopeful of sourcing funding through Moira Shire.

Participation in the program involved everyone on the night, including coaches, team managers and committee.

They answered questions and composed questions that would encourage a mate to feel comfortable to talk to them.

They discussed how to recognise the signs that indicate a teammate is going through a difficult time and what to say to ensure they feel comfortable to speak to them if needing support.

One of the first questions put to the group by Todd was, “ Who are you going to be?” and thought-provoking to say the least.

A change from the oft said question to secondary college students nearing VCE, “What are you going to do when you leave school.”

For most, their immediate reaction is negative and can create anxiety issues.

They do not know what is out there, and yet society in many instances believe they should. It is pressure they don’t need and often cannot handle.

A much softer and less threatening question, such as “who are you going to be”, puts more of a focus on the positives.

It’s not always what we say, but how we say it, that can cause young people to withdraw from conversation with older people.

Todd is a registered mental health professional and has lived through the experience of losing three of his friends to suicide over the past few years.

He also described how several footballers he played with have turned their own lives around after a period when they were struggling.

“I joined ‘Outside the Locker Room’ because I wanted to get involved and give back! The program is designed to provide a positive impact on youth by promoting wellbeing, resilience and stronger connections,” Todd said.

“Our mission is to foster mental health awareness, provide education and create a supportive environment for young people in sporting clubs and schools across Australia.”

“When you join a football or netball club you become a part of a special family,” added Todd.

Cobram Football/Netball Club has a unique culture of inclusiveness, where the youngest to the oldest player is important and treated much like family!

Thursday night dinners after training, players from the fourths through to the senior teams, join together for a meal,hear teams announced for the coming weekend and have a chance to chat with their hero’s.

It’s what a great club can offer the young, through the commitment of a group of hardworking club personnel who put their energies into providing the best possible environment for each and every one in their care!

Footnote: Suicide is currently the leading cause of death among young Australians.

Two out of every five young people will develop a mental illness, with 75 per cent of cases emerging before the age of 25 years.

New art group formed

A new arts group has been formed in Barooga and will be launched on Saturday, June 15 with a Mad Hatters Tea Party at the Barooga Community Hall.

All funds raised will go to Australia’s Biggest Morning tea, to support those undergoing cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Community River Arts Inc is the idea of 10 incredibly creative local artists who bring to the group a host of new ideas they wish to share with the community.

They plan to conduct a wide range of workshops and focus on engaging with the community across all aspects of the arts together with general health and wellbeing.

Community River Arts Inc will be an active mobile arts group and seen out and about at many different locations within the region

At the event, each member of Community River Arts Inc will be introduced on the day and collectively outline some of the amazing projects the group has planned for the coming year. It promises to be great fun with heaps of delicious food, raffles, prizes and entertainment and commences at 10am until 1 pm.

The group has joined Regional Arts Victoria and have invited representatives to join them at this inaugural event.

Tickets are $20 per person for a delicious high tea, and bookings should be made before May 31, 2024.

Please book via www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1224393/

Don’t miss what promises to be a very special event.

Do we learn something new every day

Yes, we do learn something new every day! If not, we must be sleeping the day away!

Watching one of my favourite programs, Landline, I was surprised to learn that Almonds have become Australia’s most prolific agricultural export with an increase in sales demand of 600 per cent over the past few years.

Much of the product has been exported to India, which in fact has increased its demand by 114 per cent in the past season.

India is dedicated today to providing good healthy food and constantly looking for new products, and Australian almonds are just what they are seeking.

India’s café culture is much the same as in Australia, going ballistic with their love of plant-based milk such as almond milk, pushing up the demand for almonds needed for their favourite coffees, sweets and chocolates

Today 20 percent of all almond exportation goes to India.