The CLK Long Lunch for Mental Health is returning for 2025, featuring a nationally recognised rural health advocate and former Australian of the Year.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, the team at Charles L King and Co First National in Echuca has curated an outstanding second event.

The event aims to shine a light on how we can better look after our own mental health and wellbeing, look out for those we care about and support the wider community.

Headlining the lunch is the founder, creator and chief executive of national grassroots charity Sober in the Country and Australian of the Year (Local Hero) for 2022, Shanna Whan.

After almost losing her life to alcohol addiction in 2014, Ms Whan dedicated herself and her second chance to ‘‘being the change’’ she saw was so desperately needed in rural and remote areas.

She had a vision to help others understand that whether we’re drinkers or non-drinkers, we all need to know it’s simply #OK2SAYNO to booze, and that the welfare of our mates should be a priority over the choice of drink in hand.

“Our charity isn’t here to preach prohibition — it’s about helping broader communities understand that while some of us can drink safely or in moderation, others have realised it’s devastating for our health or mental health,’’ Ms Whan said.

‘’We’re focused on teaching rural Australians the power of social sustainability and ensuring absolutely everyone’s (thoughtfully) catered for and included and that booze isn’t the bait or ‘buy-in’ for mental health initiatives.’’

CLK First National event host and MC Christy O’Brien said it was important to provide a safe and professional space for these sometimes complex conversations about mental health.

“We are thrilled to be hosting Shanna from Sober in the Country here in Echuca-Moama ... It’s not every day you get to host an inspiring Australian of the Year at an important community event,” she said.

This year’s CLK Long Lunch for Mental Health has been made possible by the generous support of the National Centre for Farmer Health’s Look Over the Farm Gate Grant, the Moama Bowling Club, Fifteen 50, Coolabah Turf and First National Real Estate Foundation.

Community members who are unable to attend can also be involved through the Pay it Forward Initiative.

The initiative allows anyone to buy a ticket for a young person in the community to attend the event for free.

Funds raised from the day will be channelled to local mental health services at Echuca Regional Health’s The Local and headspace, as well as Beyond Blue.

The event, at Radcliffe’s Restaurant, will also include a panel of mental health experts and advocates on the couch with headspace Echuca’s Jayden Howe to discuss how we can better look after ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.

Tickets for the event can be purchased via Sticky Tickets at stickytickets.com.au/NI4WT and RSVP is a week before the event.

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