Mount Gambier’s Match for Mental Health

By ZAC MILBANK

Excitement is building in the South-East ahead of the inaugural Match for Mental Health to be played at McDonald Park on Friday February 17. 

Locals are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to roll out the welcome mat at East Gambier Football Club for an array of retired AFL, SANFL and Limestone Coast stars as they raise money and awareness for an important cause.

Gates open at 4.30pm before the main event kicks off at 6pm, with those in attendance set to be treated to the skills of former Collingwood greats Dane Swan and Leon Davis, together with ex-GWS ruckman Shane Mumford.

Former Geelong and Glenelg wingman Jordan Murdoch will be joined by his brother Brodie, who played with St Kilda, with the brothers from Port MacDonnell providing a local flavour.

Glenelg Hall of Fame inductee Ben Mules, a premiership captain at Kalangadoo, will also don the boots for the much anticipated contest which aims to ”Switch the Headspace.”

”We wanted to create an event in response to a significant increase in mental health needs across our community,” said Celeste Raymond, a member of the eight-person organising committee for the Match for Mental Health.

”It is important to raise awareness and reduce stigma about mental health to increase active support-seeking and suicide awareness.

”The match will importantly reach a broad cross-sector of people to engage sections of the community who may not traditionally seek mental health support.”

As such local mental health support providers will be present at the match with pop-up stalls while locals will also enjoy live music with plenty of food and drink offerings available for purchase.

Entry is $10 for adults and a gold coin donation for children under 16, with all proceeds going to Mount Gambier’s local Headspace service.

For more information about the Match for Mental Health, click here.