People’s Choice Award Winner Mental health month Photographic Comp

Published on 10 January 2022

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My dog’s name is Lou-Lou. Every day she wiggles her butt with excitement, then she jumps up and licks me. This photo was taken in lockdown.  Lockdown made me feel frustrated and annoyed, but Lou-Lou was always there being happy and showing me love.  ~ Pacific (12 years)


Mental Health Month is co-ordinated every October by the Mental Health Association of NSW. People across Australia are encouraged to come together to hold events and promote good mental health and wellbeing in their local communities. Bellingen Shire Council has been actively involved in participating in Mental Health Month. 

In October 2021 Bellingen Shire Council in partnership with The Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire, Red Cross and CHESS Connect held street stalls in Bellingen, Dorrigo and Urunga promoting service information, and access to help and support. Council also ran a photography competition, which invited individuals to submit photographs along with words that shared a message about mental health and how it linked to the theme of “Tuning In”.

Council received some amazing photo entries which were displayed at the Bellingen Dorrigo and Urunga Libraries throughout December. During this time, community members had the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Congratulations to Pacific Hazlett who has won the People’s Choice. Pacific will receive a $50 Shop Local gift voucher.

One in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year. It is important to continually promote activities and ideas that can have a positive impact on our daily lives and the lives of others, not just in October, but throughout the year. People can visit the Mental Health Association website, www.wayahead.org.au which has some excellent resources available online.

Bellingen Shire Council would like to acknowledge the many individuals, organisations, groups and services that supported Mental Health Month in the Shire in 2021.

For further information contact Council’s Community Wellbeing Manager on 6655 7300