ACT Mental Health Sector Update: 5 July 2024

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ACT Mental Health Sector Update: 5 July 2024

Dear friends,  

I hope this Sector Update finds you well and warm.  
 
For those who I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Kylie Burnett and I have been engaged by the MHCC ACT Board to cover the duties of a Chief Operating Officer, reporting through to the board until Melanie returns from parental leave in August. I am job sharing the role with Brendan Egan, and I am being supported by my colleague Emma Davis. I’d like to thank those who I have met so far. Everyone is wonderfully supportive and welcoming. Brendan and I look forward to meeting more of you throughout July.  
 
Two weeks ago, in partnership with Disabled Peoples and Representative Organisations, we launched our shared election platform for the October election. Our shared priorities, developed with ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability, Women with Disabilities ACT, and Advocacy for Inclusion would ensure that Government and members can work towards an inclusive and welcoming Canberra which delivers the promise of a Human Rights Jurisdiction for the 1 in 5 Canberrans with disability.  
 
Please note that this election platform is separate from the MHCC ACT’s election platform, which will be released next week. Keep an eye on our social media (FacebookInstagramLinkedInX) and your inboxes for the Election Platform launch. 
 
Last week, Vicky and Rahni attended the launch of “The Network Effect – Consumer Digital Stories”. It was a wonderful morning, with many friends from the sector in attendance. We sincerely thank those who shared their stories. We know these narratives will serve as inspiration for the next generation of Consumer Representatives. 

We also said goodbye to Vicky Choice, our Director of Engagement and Partnerships. Vicky joined MHCC ACT in January on a six-month contract. I know many of you will join me in commending Vicky on the energy she brought to the sector, and we thank her enormously for her extensive work in engaging with our wonderful members and stakeholders. Vicky is now enjoying a well-earned break and has promised us that she’ll be staying close to the sector (and she’s also the Chair of the wonderful Capital Region Community Services Board). We look forward to seeing what Vicky gets up to next.  

Coming up, we are very excited to be partnering with the Mental Health Services Learning Network Conference 2024, which will be held in Canberra from the 27th to the 30th of August. 
 
The MHS Conference 2024 is accepting applications for student volunteers. This is a great opportunity for students to fulfill course requirements and create valuable connections. Applications close 28 July.  

That’s all for now. I look forward to working with you all. If you would like to get in touch, my email is kylie.burnett@mhccact.org.au.  
 
Until next time

– Vicky Choice, Acting COO MHCC ACT

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