The event began with a Welcome to Country from Uncle Graham, who acknowledged the Traditional Custodians of the Dharug Nation, the land on which we were gathered. Uncle Graham Davis King is a Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa artist and activist.
This was followed by reflections from long-serving staff member Joanne Barbara, who has been with Stride for an incredible 31 years. Stride Board Chair Peter Emery and CEO Luke Lindsay also shared their thoughts on the significance of the move before Councillor Tanya Raffoul officially welcomed Stride to Parramatta on behalf of the Lord Mayor.
In her address, Councillor Raffoul reflected on Stride’s impact across New South Wales and the importance of accessible mental health services, particularly for people who may not know how, or where, to seek support. She thanked our teams for the difference they make every day and recognised the opportunities our new Parramatta home will create for the future.
