Fantastic food, really good raffle prizes, scintillating guest speakers from our Sunshine Coast's StandBy Response Service with awe inspiring stories and uplifting presentations, plus a good attendance by an audience wearing their hat gear of all shapes and sizes, all made for a very successful event lifting the lid on mental illness at the Pelican Waters Golf Club on Thursday night.  We were privileged to have in the audience representatives from the NRL/QRL organisations, a wide spectrum of the public, and our members, partners, and families.
Michelle Hurd from Pelican Waters Golf Club did a great job organising the room and the event.
A full report - and photos - follow.
 
Hat Day is an initiative of Australian Rotary Health.  More at hatday.com.au
Peter Davis, President of the Rotary Club of Caloundra, chaired the evening.  He welcomed everyone in attendance and often had a story or two to tell about his connection with certain of our guests.  People like Jillian Boyle, Margaret, Michelle, Diane, Kylie, Debbie, other friends, and his family who were present in force.  Not only did he welcome them but offered them a microphone!  Jillian jumped at the opportunity saying "Thank you God for giving me a microphone".  Read more about Jillian here.
Kimberley & Sheridan spoke about their support for 'Take Your Pineapples Out' which is raising awareness about the prickly subject of suicide.  See the group's FB page here.
The Rotarians present were acknowledged as was ARAFMI, the Mental Health Fellowship support group, and of course the StandBy Response Service.
 
Linda Small is the StandBy Assistant Coordinator for Central Qld, Wide Bay & the Sunshine Coast.  She was the first Guest Speaker and set the scene with many statistics showing how significant is suicide in the community and its various age groups.  Linda suggested that the phrase "x died by suicide' is much more acceptable these days than 'x committed suicide'.  SRS provides 24 hour support and every police car has its brochures.  There is an annual Remembrance Day service at Maroochydore (last held on 9 September).  Linda closed by stating that talking to a person never causes suicide, every day should be RUOK Day, and the impact of suicide is felt through ever widening ripples.
 
Karen, supported by her daughter Tiffany, spoke as a survivor of her daughter's suicide just under two years ago.  She gave many examples of how 'every day has a silver lining'.  Karen spoke of the why and guilt questions that arose; how the police contact SRS who came to her armed with hugs and teddy bears.  At her first support group meeting, she felt that there were many eyes looking at her but now she is able to support new members of the group.
 
Angie from SRS was the final speaker.  She spoke of the deep sense of hopelessness that many experience, the need to find something to live for and the importance of feeling connected.
 
Peter thanked all the providers of prizes for the Raffle and then supervised the draw and prize giving.
 
The offer of a 'celebrant' was auctioned and raised $105
 
The 'Best Hat' wearers were Jillian, and an inseparable pair: Roger & Patrick.
 
Hat Day is an initiative of Australian Rotary Health.  More at hatday.com.au