Melissa Parke (Fremantle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Wednesday, 11 November, I was honoured to launch the new Fremantle headspace centre, a drop-in and counselling centre for young people. Headspace has been a proven success as a source of support, information and services for young people aged between 12 and 25 right across Australia. The new centre in Fremantle is the only one of its kind in metropolitan WA and therefore it is an essential resource providing help and advice on mental health issues, relationship issues and drug and alcohol problems. I am proud to say that the federal government provided around $1 million for refurbishments of the centre as well as funding towards better integration and coordination of services across the spectrum from counsellors, specialist nurses, GPs and health workers. I also want to acknowledge the significant contribution of the Fremantle GP Network to Fremantle headspace. I am convinced that contributions such as this are an invaluable investment in the future health, wellbeing and prosperity of our young people.

To tailor its services to what young people want and need in terms of help and support services, headspace relies on the advice of a youth reference group, which consists of 25 members from across Australia who are consulted by the organisation on a range of topics, including marketing campaigns, youth participation strategies and program development. Annabeth Bateman is one of the youth reference group members from Perth and she welcomed everyone to the new headspace centre on Wednesday with an inspiring account of her reasons for being involved with the organisation. Annabeth is a young person who is already contributing many things to this country. However, she and her fellow youth reference group members are also providing their skills to ensure that other young people who may not be so fortunate and confident can have a more—(Time expired)