A WEEKEND of fun and fund-raising was capped off yesterday as Warrnambool oncologist Terri Hayes shaved her head for Peter’s Project.
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Hotel Warrnambool’s Australia Day weekend began on Friday night with live music, while Saturday brought more bands, a magician and a sausage sizzle raising funds for St John of God Mental Health.
Venue publican Stephen Philpot said a few hundred people had come out to enjoy the Australia Day tunes, as well as count down the triple j Hottest 100 in the beer garden.
“It was a good time and it all went off with no dramas,” he said yesterday.
“We have the reduced price kegs of beer, so we’ll definitely run out by the end of the day.
“Yesterday, with the barbecue, we raised a bit of money for St John of God in the beer garden, and today it’s Peter’s Project. There’s nothing like supporting charity.”
Yesterday, Lost in Suburbia provided the evening’s soundtrack after Louise Clancey and Darren Ely warmed up the crowd for Dr Hayes’ head shave.
St John of God Hospital manager of mental health John Parkinson said Saturday’s barbecue fund-raiser also aimed at improving awareness of mental health issues and expanding the service to develop a wider outreach.
“Having an event like this brings the community together where we can become socially connected with each other,” he said.
“In the business of life we tend to become isolated and if you have a vulnerability experiencing mental health issues, you become more isolated through feeling embarrassed and ashamed.
“Getting together to talk about it demystifies mental illness and helps people feel brave enough to disclose their true thoughts and feelings.
“Just to talk about it, the benefits are outstanding.”