We are delighted to announce the winner of the 2011 Earle Duus Award is the Bayside Initiatives Group.
The award was presented as part of the Mental Health Achievment Awards on Friday 14 October 2011.
The Bayside Initiatives Group or BIG as they like to be known, operate in the Redlands. BIG is a first point of contact for people who experience mental illness to engage with their community and develop a sense of belonging.
Established by consumers, the group encourages people to discuss experiences and strategies for living with a mental illness.
Individuals who facilitate the BIG programs are often volunteers that have originally come as members and have gone on to take leadership roles in the organisation.
Bernard Wilson CEO of Open Minds said “We congratulate BIG and hope the Earle Duus Award allows them to continue with the important work of supporting recovery that they are doing in the Bayside community”.
The full list of Mental Health Achievment Award category winners are:
Individual: Dr David Lie, for his significant contribution to the care of older persons living with a mental illness
Natural Disaster Response and Recovery – Individual / Organisation: Joint Winners, Kevin Freele Cairns Integrated Mental Health, Wayne Jensen, Innisfail Community Mental Health and Assoc Prof Brett McDermott, Executive Director, Mater Child and Youth Mental Health for their individual leadership and contribution following the summer of natural disasters
Natural Disaster Response and Recovery – Clinician / Clinical Team: Toowoomba Flood Recovery Team for their initial and visible response to the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley disaster
Government Service / Program – General: Joint Winners Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Homeless Health Outreach Team for their HHOT Service and Housing and Support Program, Department of Communities
Government Service / Program research and education: Recovery Oriented Certificate IV – Department of Education and Training and Department of Communities
Government Service / Program – Indigenous – Indigenous Young Women’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program, West Moreton Child and Youth Mental Health Service.
Consumer or consumer organisation: Gabrielle Villic, for her mentoring and leadership of consumer consultants throughout Queensland.
Carer or carer organisation: Suncare Community Services, for the services to families and carers on the Sunshine Coast
Non-government or community organisation: Bayside Initiatives Group