Dubbo Medicare Mental Health Centre Open Day  

On Tuesday, 30th September, Dubbo Medicare Mental Health Centre commenced its official opening with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Margaret Walker, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Minister Emma McBride. We then had the privilege of hearing our Peer Wellbeing Navigator Joanne Milson-Naden lived experience story. Guests included Mayor Josh Black and Member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders. 

The event also featured a Centre tour and morning tea. 

One of the standout moments from both events came from Jo Milson-Naden. As a proud Wiradjuri woman with lived experience, Jo shared a powerful reflection on what it means to have services like these available in the community, a moment that even brought the Minister to tears. 

The celebrations gained strong local media attention, helping to highlight the impact and importance of these new Centres across the region. 

Bathurst Medicare Mental Health Centre Community Day 

On Wednesday, 1st October, Bathurst celebrated the opening of their Centre and the start of Mental Health Month with their community. The event began with a Centre tour before guests gathered across the road at The Greens on William for a Welcome to Country by Aunty Shirley Scott, followed by guest speakers, morning tea and networking.  

Both guest speakers, Andrew Gee MP and Paul Toole MP took the time to celebrate the Bathurst event, showing their support for accessible mental health in the region. In addition, we also had Deputy Mayor Ben Fry and Councilor Jaclyn Underwood share the support of the Centre.  

“Today, we celebrated the official opening of the Bathurst Medicare Mental Health Centre, a space that will make a real difference to the lives of so many in our community” – Andrew Gee MP  

“Unfortunately, mental health is an issue which is often swept under the carpet, but this is being addressed with this great initiative right here in Bathurst” – Paul Toole MP 

The Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSWPHN) has partnered with Stride, Wellways and Clarity Health Care to deliver these essential services to the community. 

Support resources: 

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs urgent help outside opening hours, please contact 000. 

If you or someone you know has been affected by this story or needs support, please reach out: 

• Medicare Mental Health national phone service: 1800 595 212 
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au 
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au 
• MensLine: 1300 789 978 | mensline.org.au 

The official opening took place on Thursday, 16th October and began with a heartfelt Welcome to Country delivered by the Centre’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Shannan. Guests then heard from several speakers, including government representatives, Stride leaders and Peer Worker Tony Read, who courageously shared his lived experience story. Before concluding with Minister McBride leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially opening the doors to the community. 

Tony’s journey to becoming a Peer Worker stems from his own experience of struggling to find the right support after two lengthy hospitalisations for his mental health. 

“Either I didn’t know what [support] was there or it simply wasn’t there,” the 57-year-old told The Advocate. 

“There was no one who understood me or how to navigate the seriously lacking, fragmented and complex mental health system well enough to provide meaningful assistance and to help guide me on my recovery journey.” 

Prior to the Centre’s opening, Tony was involved in the co-design process, an initiative that brings together people with lived experience and mental health professionals to collaboratively shape services that are relevant and effective. This inclusive approach ensures that care is grounded in real-world needs, empowering the community and creating more meaningful outcomes. 

Now, in his role at the Centre, Tony supports others as they navigate their own challenges, helping them connect with the right services and begin their recovery journey with understanding and hope. 

Minister McBride, who previously worked in the mental health sector, spoke about the importance of providing early, accessible support close to home. 

“They’ll be greeted by a warm and welcoming place and by somebody who has their own lived experience. And often that is the best start to accessing support and care, someone who’s walked in your shoes and understands. If they do need support from a clinician, that can also be arranged for them as well. We’re bringing together lived experience with clinical experience for the first time in your community.”
– Minister Emma McBride shared on ABC Breakfast Radio, North Tasmania. 

The Devonport Medicare Mental Health Centre is open Monday to Friday, 10am–6pm, offering free mental health support for anyone aged 18 and over, with no referral or appointment needed. 

The Centre is operated by Stride and supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program, ensuring essential mental health services are available to the Tasmanian community. 

Read Minister McBride’s statement on mental health delivered in Parliament, which highlights the Devonport and Launceston Medicare Mental Health Centre here. 

Support resources: 

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs urgent help outside opening hours, please contact 000. 

If you or someone you know has been affected by this story or needs support, please reach out: 

• Medicare Mental Health national phone service: 1800 595 212
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au 
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au 
• MensLine: 1300 789 978 | mensline.org.au 

This year marked the second year of Stride Outside: Take 30 Challenge, our annual campaign inspiring individuals and communities to take 30 minutes each day to connect with nature and focus on their mental wellbeing.

The free, inclusive initiative encourages participants of all ages and fitness levels to spend time outdoors for 30 days, whether that means walking, gardening, cycling, or simply soaking up some sunshine. By taking small, consistent steps, participants not only improved their personal wellbeing but also helped raise vital funds to support Stride’s community mental health services and programs.

We were delighted to have Base Design and Construct return as a sponsor and participant for this year’s challenge. Thanks to their support, and the enthusiasm of everyone who took part, more than 300 people registered, helping us raise an incredible $36,000 through donations and sponsorships.

Importantly, participants reported measurable improvements in their wellbeing from the start to the end of the challenge, a powerful reminder of the benefits of connecting with nature and community.

Stride Outside 2025 was a huge success, and we look forward to seeing it grow even further with the support of our community in the years to come.

I was first introduced to Stride in 2016, when I was staying at an aged care facility. I suffer from OCD, which is not completely disabling but has the potential to affect the activities I do in my daily life.

One of my support workers and my sister helped me to get a place at one of the Supported Independent Living facilities – which is much better than living in an aged care home.

There is a lot more freedom, I can leave when I want to because I’ve always got the key to come back in. I can also buy my own food and live more independently.

This year, I was able to successfully travel from my home in Queensland to the visit the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. Because of my condition, I have never had a driver’s license and was therefore entirely dependent on public transport during my trip. Nevertheless, I still had a successful trip and a great time.

Stride staff helped me to plan my trip and this was a huge achievement for me personally.

Alex’s story is one of resilience. After battling depression and obsessive-compulsive behaviors since high school, he found new hope in late 2022 with the headspace Early Psychosis team. In January 2023, Alex joined the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) program, determined to rebuild his confidence and find meaningful work.

With the help of headspace staff, Alex created a resume and explored new career options. After some setbacks, he secured a traineeship in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, a field he hadn’t considered before. This role brought financial stability, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Through the IPS program, Alex overcame social isolation, repaired relationships, and built strong connections at work. Reflecting on his journey, he credits the Work and Study team for their support, saying, “Without them, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity to grow.”

Alex’s story is a testament to the power of determination and the right support system.

Hi, my name is Lisa, I live in the Orange NSW region and Stride services have played an important role in my mental health journey. Around 12 months ago, my Stride Support Coordinator, Rosanna Romeo, introduced me to my Recovery Coach, Jane Brow, which kick-started my journey towards better mental health.

Around 2 years ago I went through cancer treatment and lost all my hair. At the time I was sad about the news, but I knew that I had to get on with the treatment and try to stay positive.

Creating mental health goals with the support of Stride

During my meeting with Jane, we discussed setting future-focused goals, and working out what I wanted to achieve during our time together.

One of my biggest personal goals was to lose weight. It was suggested that I go off my medication, under the guidance of my Psychiatrist, which I followed through with.

My withdrawal reactions when getting off my medication were severe, but with the support of Jane, I was able to persevere.

Taking the next steps of my mental health journey

Through this process, I started walking, exercising, and taking my dog with me for company.

Over time, I have managed to drop 26 kgs which has improved my confidence and helped me feel so much better about myself.

As my mental health improved, I then focused on my goal to start looking for casual work.

I spoke to Jane about my thoughts on this and vocalised my desire to give back and work in a rewarding environment, which for me was in the disability sector. My Support Coordinator, Rosa suggested a few local providers, so  Jane and I set out to work on applying for a suitable role.

We got my resume updated and Jane sent this along to a disability provider in my local area. Before I knew it, I got called in for an interview.

Jane and I worked on my interview skills which gave me the confidence to go to the interview on my own and have a go.  One week later I got a call, they advised me I got the job as a casual Disability Worker.

I was so excited and proud of myself for doing this all on my own, with Stride right by my side every step of the way. I immediately called Jane with the great news. She was very excited for me and very proud of what I had done.

It has taken me a long time to get to where I am at, but it hasn’t always been easy. Having positivity, courage and belief in yourself goes a long way. Knowing there are people like Jane and Rosa on hand encouraging and believing in you helps with your confidence.

I am slowly getting my life back on track.

Hello, my name is Alison Gallagher and I have bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2015 after a stay in Bloomfield Hospital in Orange. I manage my Bipolar in a number of ways. Firstly, I take medication everyday to stabilise my mood, then every day I meditate for half and hour. Weekly I see my support worker from, Stride for about an hour, then every month I see my psychologist Yin and I visit the GP DR Jack every six weeks. This is how I manage and to my credit and the credit of the people in my life who help me I have managed to stay well for the past eight years.

I am a mother and a wife, and my Husband and my two boys are very supportive of me and my illness. My children check to make sure I take my medication each day and my Husband checks in with me each day to make sure that I am tracking ok. My parents are also a huge support in my life and I don’t know where I would be without their support.

Having a support worker or recovery coach from Stride has helped me to stay on track with my recovery and keep my bipolar disorder at bay. It is wonderful to have a debrief with someone each week and check in to make sure that you are still on top of things and if you are not feeling so great you that support is at hand. The NDIS helps me access support more easily and affordably.

Thanks to being well and in recovery for so long I have started to study TAFE this year to get some employable skills to hopefully get a job and get back into the workforce. I am just over halfway through with my studies and have been surprised that I have passed every subject.

Stride is helping me to live my best life through the support of my support worker, recovery coach who helps me to see my full potential and not just the illness I have. Without the help Stride I don’t know where I would be the services they provide are second to none and I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be part of Stride’s support network?

Over five years, Cassandra worked with Recovery Coach, Jane Brow, at Stride’s previous Bathurst location. From her first visit until today, Cassandra had the support to make incremental and meaningful changes to gain a more positive outlook on life.

This is Cassandra’s story of courage and consistency. It was a privilege to stride alongside Cassandra, guiding her to create the bright future she envisioned for herself.

The first step

After relocating from Sydney to Bathurst, Cassandra struggled to leave her home. She was unwell for a long period of time, unable to socialise, engage with the community or attend appointments.

After many attempts from Stride to contact Cassandra, she finally agreed to come to the Stride Bathurst office to attend our Women’s Group.

A very nervous and anxiety-filled young woman came through the door, sweating and reserved. The other women in the group made Cassandra feel welcome and reassured her that she was on the right path.

From there Cassandra began one-on-one sessions with Jane, and this is where the story takes a happy turn.

Setting and achieving goals

Over time Cassandra built trust with the Stride team and became more goal oriented, setting herself long and short-term aspirations and working hard to achieve them.

She started attending all group sessions and was a great asset during these sessions as her positive outlook influenced other clients to achieve the same. outlook.

Rejoining the community

As the years passed, Cassandra’s consistency and determination began to reap its rewards. She was able to go grocery shopping in-store rather than online, sit in a cafe and have a coffee, catch public transport on her own, and attend most appointments.

She even started walking to complete her daily errands rather than getting someone to pick her up. By making a small but positive adjustment to her daily routine like walking she managed to lose 40kgs and feel more confident in the world.

Gaining and maintaining employment

As her confidence built, Cassandra expressed to Jane that she’d like to volunteer in the community with the hope of gaining new employment one day.

She was offered a role volunteering at a cafe and cleaning for two hours a week. She embraced the opportunity without hesitation.

Later down the track, the cafe extended its business to include a florist. Cassandra had made such an impression on the business that they offered her a job at the florist and a chance to become a barista at the cafe.

Where is Cassandra today?

Cassandra has just completed her RSA/RCG and is now a qualified Barista. She’s also on her way to gaining set hours and regular days of employment.

When reflecting on her experience, Cassandra told Jane that her progress was “all because of Stride and how they supported me”. Jane assured her that it was her hard work and persistent attitude that got her this far.

“It took Jane and Stride to believe that I could do it,” Cassandra insisted.

And that’s all it takes sometimes, someone to believe in you and your potential. That’s why Stride exists; to help Australians strive towards a better tomorrow.