THE teams at early intervention centre jupiter and Caring for Our Port Stephens Youth (COPSY), have come together to express their deepest appreciation for the unwavering support provided by the people of Port Stephens.

Both organisations target the mental wellbeing of young people aged between 12-25 years of age.

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“We want to extend a huge thank you to Shoal Bay Country Club and Boydell’s Wines Morpeth for sponsoring the jupiter in July thank you celebration and Henk Tobbe Photography portrayed the evening superbly,” Meryl Miller of COPSY told News Of The Area,

One hundred and forty jupiter supporters enjoyed the event’s entertainment, some of which was performed by one of the jupiter clients singing and playing guitar.

“Receiving counselling via jupiter – space to talk has provided him with the resilience tools to perform in front of a crowd,” said Meryl.

Generous supporters also donated 14 raffle prizes, the only fundraising conducted on the night.

“Along with the Shoal Bay Country Club’s gourmet food and a variety of delicious wines by Boydell’s, the entertainment for the evening focused on the jupiter story.

Uncle John Ridgeway performed the welcome to country and sang his Worimi song.

Tim Heffernan Deputy Commissioner at the NSW Mental Health Commission spoke about the important place jupiter – space to talk has within Port Stephens and how the jupiter program fulfils one of the Mental Health Commission’s initiatives “Living Well in Action”.

The commission’s vision is that the people of NSW have the best opportunity for good mental health and wellbeing and to live well in the community, on their own terms, having the services and support they need to live a full life.

Dr Mark Adamski spoke about his experience with referring clients to jupiter and all his comments started with an A – accessible, accommodating, accepted, adaptable, active – the jupiter team could not have asked for a better rating.

Dr Joel Wenitong spoke about the service being offered by himself at Nelson Plaza Medical Centre on Thursday afternoons from 3 – 5pm, where he sees youth for any medical issue they may be experiencing.

Presentations were made by Kevin Coleman, president of Lions Club Tilligerry, who donated $5,000 from the jupiter Op Shop Ball celebrated at Club Lemon Tree.

The funds received will be used towards the rental of the Tilli Place Rooms.

Kate Washington made good a pre-election promise, and now jupiter will receive $100,000 next month.

“These funds are most welcome as grants have many competitors and are extremely hard to win.

“The jupiter service while being cost effective requires a large amount of money to operate,” she said.

The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion led by Tracy Hamilton, where jupiter’s mental health social worker Lisa Swan spoke about assessing youth who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Alongside Lisa was one of our youth ambassadors, who told her story of how her jupiter experience has transformed her into a confident young woman who is now studying counselling so that she can help young people just like herself.

Tracey Mackander spoke about the recreation and wellbeing program at “Our Gym – Nelson Bay” and “Active Fitness Medowie,” where healthy lifestyle and harm minimisation through exercise, nutrition, and counselling are all advocated.

Participants benefit from the reduction of anxiety, stress, depression, and life’s challenges, improving overall well-being, mental resilience, and happiness.

An ambassador for this program also spoke about the life-changing benefit she received from attending ‘Recreation and Wellbeing’.

The musical entertainment for the evening was provided by Fletcher Pilon, a talented young singer/songwriter and performer from the Central Coast. and winner of the 2016 ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ series.

By Marian SAMPSON