Whyalla's Mental Health Matters Round nominated in state leadership awards
Mental Health Matters Round has been officially nominated for the LG Professionals SA 2025 Leadership Excellence Awards – Excellence in Community Partnerships and Collaboration category.
What began as a grassroots idea driven by council and the community has grown into one of Whyalla’s most impactful initiatives that unites sport, schools, mental health services, businesses and residents to raise mental health awareness.
Since its launch in 2024, the initiative has:
- Expanded from football to include netball
- Delivered events, activations and mental health training
- Engaged more than 4,000 people directly
- Raised over $8,000 to fund local youth mental health programs
- Delivered AFL Max Camp Breakthrough sessions equipping students with practical mental health tools
Mayor Phill Stone said the nomination is an important acknowledgement of the work being led locally, “To be nominated for a Leadership Excellence Award is a significant achievement for our council and community. This recognition highlights the strength of the partnerships we’ve built through the Mental Health Matters Round. We are incredibly proud to see Whyalla recognised at this level.”
Manager City Activation Gail Rostig said the award nomination validates the strength of collaboration behind the scenes. “This initiative only works because of genuine partnerships – from headspace Whyalla to our sporting leagues, local sponsors and community services, everyone plays a role.”
Community Activation Officer Chloe Fisher said the heart of MHMR lies in its connection with young people, “We know that one in four young people experience mental health challenges, and in regional communities that support can feel harder to access. When students walk away from a workshop with strategies to manage their mental health, or when a young person sees their guernsey design worn on the field, that sense of pride and belonging matters. MHMR is about making sure people feel seen, heard and supported, on and off the field.”
The 2026 round is set to include the addition of a new sport, expanded partnerships and collaborative opportunities. The community can also look forward to live music, kids’ activities, engaging learning experiences, special guests and more. Stay tuned!
With partnerships between council, headspace Whyalla, sporting leagues and local organisations, MHMR continues to grow each year.
