Registered with the Department of Human Services Print Post Approved 350190 / 00023 ISSN 0816 7877

see inside back cover for more1 in 5 will be affected with mental illness. 5 in 5 can help. You can help by joining mifriend

mivoice

inside features big day on the golf course p4 | open mind fiesta p6 | $50,000 funding boost p9 | more movie tickets to win p12

summer 2009

issue 116

inspirational 2009’s award results p5

Read and WIN!

Your chance to win 2 Gold Class movie

tickets p12

leading the wayour latest award win p9the other side of Christmas p4

The Hon. Robert Knowles AO

We join with many hundreds of people every year to

improve mental health services, supports, funding

and community understanding, vital work that goes

largely unheralded.

That’s why our Annual General Meeting is so important.

Through it, we get a chance to formally honour and

recognise some of the outstanding work done on

behalf of people with a mental illness, their families

and their carers.

Our awards this year honoured five extraordinary people

and their contribution to the mental health community.

Adding extra significance is the fact that the nominations

are made by our members recognising people for the

extraordinary service they have given.

See page 5 of this edition of mi voice for this year’s

recipients.

As you are aware an election for the Board of Directors

was held this year, the results of which were also

announced at the AGM. As a result, the Board for the

next year is Lyn Allison, Diane Brown, Darrel Drieberg,

Julian Freidin, Jenny King, Theo Krambias, Louise

Milne-Roch, Paul Montgomery, Lei Ning, Elaine Price,

Nathan Shafir and myself.

The new office bearers and the chairs of the board

committees are: President and Chair of the Executive

Committee – Rob Knowles; Deputy President – Diane

Brown; Honorary Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and

Resource Management Committee – Paul Montgomery;

Honorary Secretary and Chair of the Directions Committee –

Darrel Drieberg; Chair of the Appointments and Governance

Committee – Louise Milne-Roch.

“Our awards this year honoured five extraordinary people and their contribution to the mental health community.”

We were delighted to have the Director of the Victorian

Mental Illness Awareness Council, Isabell Collins, launch

the MI Recovery program at our Annual General Meeting.

We now have funding from the federal Department

of Health and Ageing to roll out this program in Victoria,

South Australia, Canberra and Queensland.

Consumer-led education plays a vital role in assisting

individuals gain the skills to understand the meaning of mental

illness in their lives and to use that in shaping their future.

While many families prepare for the holiday season at

this time, we acknowledge that many do not experience

Christmas cheer. We urge those in need to seek support.

We look forward to working with you during the next year to

both deliver and advocate for better opportunities for people

with mental illnesses and their families. Our continued focus

will be to support people to find a home, a job and successful

community participation. Please join with us to add your voice

and your issues to our broad advocacy agenda.

from our president

2

MI Fellowship’s Annual General Meeting is a welcome chance to shine the spotlight on the efforts of some remarkable people.

www.mifellowship.org

mivoice

contents from our chief executive p3 | christmas wish p4 | mi fellowship annual award recipients p5 | mental health week p6-7 | people and their stories p8 | news bites p9 | membership matters – this year’s agm p10-11 | 6 12

summer 2009

3mivoice

from our chief executive

To bring about a more inclusive society

for people with a mental illness and their

families, we need to work at many levels.

MI Fellowship works extensively at the

“macro” level, advocating for policy and

system change.

Through our rehabilitation services and peer

education with individuals and families, we

also work at the “micro” level, influencing

personal knowledge and behaviour to enable

greater recovery and participation.

In this summer edition of mi voice, our

theme is the personal or “micro” aspect

of social inclusion.

For many, the current focus is the summer

season holidays with more time to spend with

close friends and relatives, engaged in our

own relationships. But not everyone has the

opportunity or capacity to enjoy relationships

during summer and beyond. Barriers to

employment and suitable housing, coupled

with a poor health status, mean that many

people with mental illness are locked in a

cycle of social exclusion with little chance

of developing personal relationships.

During his Woodcock lecture address in May,

Dr David Morris1 reminded us how important

interpersonal relationships are in creating a

more socially inclusive society. “We all have

the power to create a more socially inclusive

community at the “micro” levels where each

of us operate by changing stigmatising

attitudes and embracing diversity.”

Dr Morris observed: “Social exclusion

happens in the space between someone who

does have a mental illness, and someone else

who does not…” What he means is that the

foundation of social inclusion is embedded in

improving the attitudes and behaviours that

we choose to bring to our relationships.

There are many ways in which social inclusion

can be nurtured at this interpersonal level.

In MI Fellowship, people with lived experience

are valued colleagues and their personal

experiences inform what we do.

Another example is one of David Morris’

initiatives in the UK in which respected

“opinion leaders” were engaged to

demonstrate social inclusion leadership

within their own organisations. In this way,

these leaders built their own “communities

of influence” and their inclusive example was

gradually adopted by other organisations.

Among the members and supporters of

MI Fellowship, are many who have

experienced social exclusion firsthand, and

who know intimately its forms and impacts.

These people value social inclusion and

practise it in their daily relationships.

“How each of us relates to those around us can really make a difference.”

The heart of David Morris’ message is that

social exclusion is something that we can all

do something about. How each of us relates

to those around us and the quality of these

relationships, can really make a difference.

At this time of the year, it is timely to honour

and reflect upon the family and personal

relationships that we hold dear. My best wishes

to you for Christmas and the New Year.

Practising social inclusion on a personal level is somethingthat benefits everyone.

Elizabeth Crowther

cost of exclusion

People with severe mental illness have difficulties building and maintaining social ties:

• 31 per cent live alone in single-person households

• 84 per cent are single, divorced, separated or widowed

• 47 per cent report not sharing meals with others

• 40 per cent do not watch television with others.

• 40 per cent do not do chores or run errands with others

• Just under 40 per cent report having no ‘best friend’ with whom they can share thoughts and feelings

• 45 per cent feel they need “good friends” in their lives.

Source: Jablensky A, McGrath J, Herrman H, Castle D, Gureje O, Morgan V and Korten A (1999) People Living with Psychotic Illness: An Australian Study 1997-98, National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Report 4, Canberra: Mental Health Branch, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, cited in Psychiatric Disability Services of Victoria (2008) Pathways to Social Inclusion: Social Inclusion – August 2008, Melbourne.

summer 2009

1Dr David Morris is the Director of the Inclusion Institute in the United Kingdom.

4

Visit www.mifellowship.org

for news, views, events and mental health information. Who knows

– you may wish to make a secure online donation while you’re there.

Make sure to subscribe to our free private e-newsletter mi voice

update, which keeps you in touch with us in between magazines.

social inclusion

For many years, two unlikely partners have worked

to make a difference in the lives of people with a

mental illness.

On the surface, it seems an unusual partnership

– a global leader of mechanical power transmission

equipment and a non-profit organisation focusing on a

better life for people with a mental illness and their families.

But the relationship between SEW Eurodrive and

MI Fellowship doesn’t just work; it’s thriving. This year saw

SEW Eurodrive’s annual golf day being held in support

of MI Fellowship for the 12th year in a row.

This year’s venue was the picturesque Eynesbury Golf Club,

near Melton. Teams teed off from 7.30am, with each of the

150 golfers envisioning driving home in a superb Toyota,

the special hole-in-one prize on offer. (The day’s blustery and cold

conditions meant this dream was dashed!)

SEW Eurodrive managing director Rob Merola and his team

then hosted a magnificent cocktail party and charity auction.

Together with the golf day it raised $67,230 for MI Fellowship.

“We could not undertake our work without the help of many

people. In particular, SEW Eurodrive has provided significant

support during the past 12 years for this work,” MI Fellowship

President Rob Knowles said.

“Even in these exceptionally tight economic conditions

they raised nearly $70,000 for us this year from this one

day. Once again we are deeply grateful to Rob and the

SEW Eurodrive team for a great day.”

mivoicesummer 2009

As we head into the holiday season, most of us focus on social gatherings, celebrations and holiday time preparations. Christmas decorations are hung and gift lists prepared as we think about and cherish those near and dear to us.

But while we are busy preparing our “to do” lists for Christmas, many people in our community who are living with a mental illness don’t have a happy place to hang decorations, or gift lists to write or even Christmas cards to read.

For some families, Christmas is a sad time as they reflect on loved ones. For some, poor health, unstable or insecure housing and lack of access to quality employment can present overwhelming barriers preventing them from embracing the joy of Christmas time. It is important we reach out to each other at these times.

MI Fellowship works to find secure and stable housing, engage people in employment and education options and offers support through counselling and family services. Contact us on 03 8486 4200 or log on to www.mifellowship.org

Much time is understandably spent at this time of year on considering plans with our families as well as our wider circle of friends. Many homes are buzzing with festive season expectations and there is a shared sense of excitement in neighbourhoods and local streets.

MI Fellowship’s Season’s wish is for everyone in our community to be connected at Christmas time.

partners in caring

Christmas is all around us at this time of year. But not everyone will have something to cheer about.

how festive will your neighbourhood be this year?

5

achievements honouredMI Fellowship’s AGM again highlighted the extraordinary efforts of people who are dedicated to helping the Fellowship, people with a mental illness and their families. Here are this year’s award recipients:

mivoice summer 2009

Pictured after MI Fellowship’s annual awards presentation are, from left: John Edgley (Mental Health Community Award), Ray Mignot (Volunteer of the Year Award), MI Fellowship Board Vice President Diane Brown, MI Fellowship Chief Executive Elizabeth Crowther, Kevin Abrahamson (O’Meara Award), Ben Rinaudo (Doris Wisniewski 2008 Student of the Year – Fairfield), Isabell Collins (Mental Health Community Award), Byron Bailey (Mental Illness Fellowship Award), MI Fellowship President Rob Knowles. Absent are two other Students of the Year, Karen McQuaigue 2008 (Frankston) and Cheryl Poole 2009 (Hume)

O’Meara Award – Kevin Abrahamson

Special counsel with Middleton’s Lawyers, Kevin

has personally invested in assisting Mental Illness

Fellowship Victoria achieve a better world for people

with a mental illness.

“I couldn’t have done anything without the generous

pro bono program that has been implemented here at

Middleton’s. We’re delighted to be part of your ongoing

program and I can assure you that Middleton’s will be

there way into the future with our pro bono assistance.”

Volunteer of the Year Award – Ray Mignot

Ray assisted his wife to start the East Kew Op Shop 28

years ago. They felt they could make a difference for other

families who had children with schizophrenia, and raise

funds to help bring mental health issues to the notice of the

community and government.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt about the delight that

my wife and I have had over the many years. She was

very active in all work of the Fellowship.”

Mental Illness Fellowship Award – Byron Bailey

For the past few years, Byron has been convenor of The

Group, a social support and recreational group for people

with a mental illness.

“I like to try and give a bit of variety to people and gear

most of the interests towards them. I do try and get as

many people motivated to come along each month.”

Mental Health Community Award – Isabell Collins and

John Edgley (joint winners)

Isabell has spent 16 years as an advocate for people with

a mental illness. She provides unconditional support for

mental health consumers and their carers, and education

for the community and its policy makers.

“It’s important to make a stand for people with mental

illness and their carers.”

John has been a volunteer at the Open Mind Fiesta for the

past seven years. He arrives at 5am generously donating his

truck to use as a stage and is one of the last to leave at 7pm.

“I do what I do because I enjoy it immensley and I enjoy

the company of the people I work.”

Doris Wisniewski Students of the Year, 2008

– Ben Rinaudo (below left of Fairfield), Karen

McQuaigue (Frankston). Cheryl Poole (Hume)

Student of the Year 2009 was not at the meeting.

Ben Rinaudo, right, receives his award from MI Fellowship President Rob Knowles. Karen McQuaigue (right)

6mivoicesummer 2009

It has become a highlight of the Mental Health Week

calendar, proof of just how important social inclusion is to so

many people. And this year some 40,000 people voted with

their feet to demonstrate just how

strongly they believe in our Open

Mind Fiesta and what it represents.

As Fairfield traders took their wares

out onto Station Street, festival-goers

took the chance to try everything from

belly dancing to circus arts. It was all

designed to help reinforce the theme

of this year’s fiesta – “People with

mental illness want to participate ...

make it happen!”

“The story of people with a mental

illness is often a story of social

exclusion. Our community of

Darebin, however, strives to be an

inclusive community,” Cr Vince

Fontana from Darebin City Council

told the crowd at the official launch

of the Fiesta.

“The Open Mind Fiesta is one way

of supporting those members and

welcoming those who have been

affected by a mental illness.

“We might be able to assist in many ways – by interacting

with those with a mental illness, by providing them with the

opportunity to have a chat, help them locate employment

and, more importantly, making them

feel part of our Darebin community.

A highlight of this year’s Fiesta was the

launching of MI Fellowship’s new online

learning tool by Northcote MP Fiona

Richardson.

The tool is designed to be used in the

workplace to increase knowledge about

mental illness and mental health, and to

promote good employment practice.

open to idea of social inclusionAn estimated 40,000 people flocked to Fairfield on October 11 for MI Fellowship’s seventh annual Open Mind Fiesta.

40,000

Some highlights of the festival

“People with a mental illness want to participate...make it happen.”

promising landscape in ACTMI Fellowship recently helped spread the message of social inclusion in Canberra through the 2009 Mindscapes Music and Arts Festival.

The Mindscapes Festival was developed to promote the idea of mental illness being associated with community, joy and acceptance. A whole-of-community event, it centred on conveying serious messages about mental health in a fun and entertaining environment.

The festival aimed to bring people with a mental illness into the heart of a community event, improving the general wellbeing of people living with a mental illness, increasing public understanding of issues and reducing the stigma surrounding what is a relatively common issue.

An initiative of Mental Health Recovery ACT, it was supported by a number of services, consumers and carers including MI Fellowship Victoria, Mental Health Foundation, Richmond Fellowship ACT, Mental Health ACT, ACT Consumer Network, Belconnen Community Services, Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW and Volunteers ACT-Connections.

This year’s festival included a poetry competition, a short film competition and film festival screened at the Dendy Cinema and a music festival held at Garema Place in Civic.

7mivoice summer 2009

The historic links course of the Barwon Heads

Golf Club was the setting for MI Fellowship’s

yearly Barwon region fundraiser in October.

Regularly rated among Australia’s top 30 courses,

Barwon Heads has opened up its famed fairways

on behalf of MI Fellowship annually since 2006 and

has now raised over $16,000.

This year 88 players teed off from 8.30am and when

the day concluded several hours later – after a lunch,

raffle and silent auction – $5400 had been raised.

One of the initiatives this year saw club pro Mark

Ryan donate his services on a par 3 hole, allowing

players to “buy” his tee shots for $5 to help them

avoid the course’s many formidable natural hazards.

The club saw an involvement with MI Fellowship as

an opportunity to provide local fundraising. The club

contributes to MI Fellowship’s family services in the

Barwon region.

Funds raised from this year’s golf day will be used

to support our family programs in the Barwon

region, including carer retreats, family education

and support.

links with barwon heads remain strong

Funds raised from the year’s golf day will be used to support our family programs in the Barwon region, including carer retreats, family education and support.

Barwon Heads’ club president Andrew Simms checks his scorecard at the end of his round.

MI Fellowship, with the aid of the

Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry

Unit and ADEC (Advocacy, Disability,

Ethnicity, Community), is currently

undertaking a project to increase

our involvement with people from

culturally and linguistically diverse

(CALD) backgrounds.

People from CALD backgrounds form

some of the most marginalised groups in

Australian society. As with the rest of the

mental health system, their proportional

representation in MI Fellowship’s client

and contact base is low – a situation we

want to improve.

Among the initiatives being developed

in this new project:

• We are including CALD consumers

and carers throughout the project as

a strategy to reduce stigma.

• MI Fellowship staff will be provided

with cultural competence training to

improve service to people from CALD

backgrounds.

• MI Fellowship has participated in

Multicultural Mental Health Australia’s

anti-stigma program, Stepping out of

the Shadows, to educate people from

four CALD communities about mental

illness. These people will in turn provide

education to others within their networks.

• Each MI Fellowship region will develop

a project to engage with their local

CALD communities and address the

issues that are barriers to participation.

This venture will eventually allow

MI Fellowship to benefit from the

experiences of multicultural Australians

through increased members from CALD

backgrounds, increased consumers from

CALD backgrounds, increased families

from CALD backgrounds and increased

involvement with CALD organisations.

project to break down cultural barriersA new project has MI Fellowship working for closer ties with some groups for whom mental illness is not the only barrier.

I have grown up with self-hate and self-harm being

an integral part of my life. I know no other way. As a

child I was sexually abused and this abuse continued

for several years.

Despite this childhood trauma, I grew up to hold a variety

of jobs that I loved. And I got married, raising four well-

adjusted children with stable partners. I know I am a

caring, loving mother and my pride in my children will

always light my face with joy when few other things can.

I live with my family but can still experience a keen sense

of loneliness, which is why my visits to the short-term

respite program at O’Meara House brighten my life.

Quite simply, it’s the best place I’ve ever been to and the

prospect of an impending visit to O’Meara House always

fills me with excitement and expectancy.

There are the super-friendly staff always willing to help

24 hours a day: Dave’s muffins for a surprise supper

when we return from an optional outing to the movies;

Kath’s supportive ears and shoulders when I need someone

to talk to at two in the morning.

One of my favourite things about coming to O’Meara

House is the opportunity to have a break from my everyday

household routine. I can indulge in a sleep-in and most days

I can be back in my room by 4pm, either having a rest or

taking the opportunity to have some quiet ‘me’ time.

Having my own lockable room is another huge bonus,

allowing me a safe place where I can retreat if I need to.

Then there are the wonderful friends I’ve made through my

visits to O’Meara House. When I’m at O’Meara, my risk of

self-harm is reduced by lower levels of stress and distress,

and the company of others.

Visiting O’Meara House has been a life-changing experience

for me. It has given me opportunities to do things I would

otherwise not have done.

O’Meara House is a non-clinical facility located next to

the East Ringwood railway station. If you would like more

information on O’Meara House please contact Juanita on

9874 5310 or 0458 001 207.

8

pathways

Annelise is a beautiful 50-year old woman who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, agoraphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder when she was 27. She was very keen to share her personal story and her O’Meara House experience in the hope that both would make a difference to someone’s life.

people and their stories

mivoicesummer 2009

the most important gift you give can be the one you give yourself

An impending visit to O’Meara House always fills Annelise with excitement.

our star job performerMI Fellowship’s specialist employment

service My Recruitment has improved

its rating under the Department of Education,

Employment and Workplace Relations’ Disability

Employment Network (DEN).

My Recruitment was recently awarded a 3.5-star rating

in the employment service sector, an increase from

its previous 2.5-star rating in spite of the current

economic climate.

DEN is a government-funded program to help people

with a disability gain and maintain employment in the

open labour market.

“Our new star rating is testament to the quality of

work delivered by the My Recruitment team and

endorses our vision of creating opportunities for all

job seekers, regardless of obstacles encountered

because of mental illness,” MI Fellowship’s Chief

Executive Elizabeth Crowther said.

“My Recruitment’s innovative approaches have resulted

in more people securing long term employment.”

For more information about My Recruitment contact

us on 8486 2400.

9

2

There was more good news for Well Ways

recently when it took out the 2009 Mental

Health Services Achievement Award for

family/carer-provided services.

This award recognises the contribution of the

program to the Australasian mental health

industry and was presented at this year’s

Mental Health Services Conference in Perth.

news bites

Receiving the award from Senator Claire Moore, right, are MI Fellowship’s general manager of

rehabilitation services, Laura Collister, left, and family education consultant Sue Farnan.

foundation funding boosts well waysThe Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has donated

$50,000 to Well Ways, MI Fellowship’s support and

information program designed to help family, friends and

carers of people with a mental illness.

Well Ways programs are led by MI Fellowship-trained

facilitators who provide peer education and valuable insight

into the lived experience of mental illness.

The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation funding will

assist ongoing training of these facilitators while the family/

carer segment continues to be self-funded. Without such

generous support, the longevity of our nationally awarded

programs would be in jeopardy.

The Well Ways programs are structured to give:

• up-to-date and accurate information about mental

illnesses, treatment and support options

• new ideas, problem-solving skills and confidence

to cope with the impact of mental illness

• an opportunity to share experiences with others

who understand

• broader ongoing sources of support and information

• tools to better navigate and access health and other

support resources.

To find out more about Well Ways please

contact us on 8486 4200

or www.wellwaysfamed@mifellowship.org

or visit our website www.mifellowship.org

mivoice summer 2009

well done, well ways

mivoice update – email newsletterStay in touch with the latest news and events in mental health. Register your details

at www.mifellowship.org. It’s free, private and you can unsubscribe at any time.

10

This year’s MI Fellowship elections resulted in the four

board-endorsed candidates being returned.

The successful candidates were Lyn Allison, Vice President

Diane Brown, President Rob Knowles and consumer

representative Lei Ning.

A total of 1255 votes were received.

After announcing the result at this year’s Annual General Meeting,

Mr Knowles also paid tribute to two directors who resigned

during the year, Lesley Miles and Professor Chris Pantelis.

“They both served the Fellowship extremely well and continue

to support us strongly,” Mr Knowles said. “We greatly value

the contribution they have made through their membership

of the Board.”

Their vacancies were filled by Dr Julian Freidin, the current

specialist medical advisor to the Royal Australian and New

Zealand College of Psychiatrists and a former president of the

college, and Lei Ning, the deputy director of the Victorian Mental

Illness Awareness Council.

in memory and celebration

Thanks to everyone who took

part in our reader survey in the

last issue of mi voice.

membership matters

If you would like to make a gift to MI Fellowship in memory of a friend

or to celebrate a special occasion, visit www.mifellowship.org or call 03 8486 4200.

and the winner is …

strong board forges ahead

mivoicesummer 2009

060504030201

There will be an unchanged board following the results of this year’s elections.

Peter Luciani of South Gippsland made a donation in memory of his late wife, Maria Luciani who lived with a mental illness much of her adult life.

We gratefully acknowledge a bequest from the estate of William Stuart MacGregor in Mornington, who was one of our long-standing supporters.

Alex and Maria Giannopolous are remembered by Felix and Gwen Jones.

Andrew Sinclair made a donation in memory of close friend Donald Jones.

Family and friends of Sofia Frenzo gathered for a 90th birthday party with donations in honour of her daughter, Lucia, who has

a lived experience of mental illness.

In Geelong, Meg Qwan celebrated her 40th birthday with donations made by family and friends.

In Sunshine, celebrations were in full swing for a diamond (60th) wedding anniversary for Marge and Dennis Forsythe, who requested that donations be made to MI Fellowship in lieu of anniversary gifts.

Marie Petrov, her family and friends donated in memory of her brother Paul Notus, a loving brother and uncle. He will be sadly missed.

Turn to p12 for a chance to

win another double Village Gold Class

movie pass

Read and WIN!

The winner was Robert Rigney

from Altona, who knew that the

final margin in the Reclink grand

final between Western Storm

and All Stars was five points.

Mr Rigney won himself a double

Village Gold Class movie pass and

$30 complimentary refreshments,

both valid for 12 months, for any

session seven days a week.

11mivoice summer 2009

08 0907 012011010

Board of Directors:

01 The Hon. Robert Knowles AO – President 02 Mr Darrel Drieberg – Secretary 03 Ms Louise Milne-Roch

04 Mrs Diane Brown – Vice President 05 Mr Theo Krambias 06 Mr Paul Montgomery – Treasurer 07 Ms Jenny King

08 Mrs Elaine Price 09 Mr Nathan Shafir 010 Dr Julian Freidin 011 Ms Lyn Allison 012 Mr Lei Ning

The traditional image of psychiatry – attentive listeners and

patients lying on couches – is being replaced in one of the

world’s leading psychiatric research centres.

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, the director of the Monash

Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPRC) in Melbourne

is spearheading new research on early diagnosis.

MAPRC made national headlines recently when it unveiled

a new ear probe that could provide early diagnosis and lead

to better treatment options.

The technique was developed by engineer Brian Lithgow in

what Professor Kulkarni said was an “interesting collaboration”.

Speaking at this year’s MI Fellowship Annual General Meeting,

Professor Kulkarni said such partnerships were essential if

psychiatric diagnosis was to progress.

“If you just keep going around and around in the same way that

we’ve been doing things, I don’t think we’re going to get that

much further,” she said.

“I think it is going to require stepping out of the comfortable box

and seeing what other fields have to offer.

“Psychiatrists don’t usually work with engineers and people are

saying ‘How come there are all these men wearing socks and

sandals in our area now?’ They bring another whole dimension

and it’s really intriguing. I think answers to the challenges in our

field lie outside our field.

“Quite frankly, psychiatry and psychiatric illnesses are still at

the bottom of the barrel, we’re still the Cinderella, and I don’t

think that’s where it should be. The next big challenge has got

to be mental illness.

“Understanding the brain to enhance the mind is absolutely

the final frontier and that’s the job for the 21st century”,

she concluded.

exploring the final frontierThe guest speaker at this year’s MI Fellowship Annual General Meeting gave an insight into how the partnership between psychiatry and engineering is forging new hope for people with a mental illness.

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni

12

Chief Executive : : Elizabeth CrowtherEditorial : : Hootville CommunicationsDesign : : Room44, Lisa MinichielloPrinting : : Bambra PressMI Voice aims to keep our readers informed of the latest

information on mental illness and our advocacy work. It is also

our opportunity to keep potential and existing supporters and

donors informed of the Mental Illness Fellowship’s activities

and the difference their contribution makes.

MI Voice is the quarterly publication of the Mental Illness

Fellowship Victoria, Fairfield Place 276 Heidelberg Road,

Fairfield, Victoria, Australia, 3078.

Telephone : : 03 8486 4200Fax : : 03 8486 4265Email : : enquiries@mifellowship.orgWebsite : : www.mifellowship.orgMental Illness Fellowship retains the right to edit articles. Please note that the opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria.

© Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria. PO Box 359 Clifton Hill, Vic 3068 All rights reserved.ACN 093 357 165 ABN 93 093 357 165 ISSN 0816 7877

have you been paying attention?

Our annual Open Mind Fiesta was certainly in the news again this year and why wouldn’t it be? With around 40,000 people again flocking to Station Street, Fairfield throughout the day it was a headline grabber.

Our technical assistance service state manager Ruth Barr and chief executive Elizabeth Crowther were featured both before and after the event in the Northcote Leader, stressing the importance of the day as a prominent and positive means with which to demonstrate the benefits of social inclusion.

Elizabeth was also interviewed by 774’s Jon Faine the morning after a Four Corners program examined whether

police receive adequate training to cope with potentially violent situations involving people with a mental illness.

Four Corners focused on three fatal shootings, including that of a Melbourne teenager killed by police officers in December 2008. Elizabeth

again called on Victoria’s Police Chief Commissioner to make urgent changes to police training.

summer 2009

board of directorsPresident : : The Hon. Robert Knowles

Vice President : : Mrs Diane Brown

Secretary : : Mr Darrel Drieberg

Treasurer : : Mr Paul Montgomery

Directors : : Mr Nathan Shafir, Mrs Elaine Price, Ms Lyn Allison, Mr Theo Krambias, Dr Julian Freidin, Mr Lei Ning, Ms Louise Milne-Roch, Ms Jenny King

competition

Read and WIN!

Your chance to win 2 Gold Class movie

tickets

One winner will receive a double pass to a Village Gold Class screening of the movie of their choice. It’s a chance to quite literally put your feet up, relax and enjoy a latest movie, all thanks to MI Fellowship.

The prize will be valid for 12 months for any session, seven days a week.

To be in the running, simply call (03) 8486 4220 and leave your answer, together with your name and contact phone number.

The competition closes at midnight on Monday, December 21 and the winner will be notified.

How well do you know your mi voice? Here’s a simple – and rewarding – way to find out.

Somewhere in this edition of mi voice you’ll find the answer to this question. Answer it correctly and you’re in the running for a luxurious cinema experience:

What was the total number of votes cast in this year’s MI Fellowship board election?

thank you to our supporters

newsmivoice