Warren Entsch (Leichhardt, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mental illness is an invisible barrier that prevents so many in our community from reaching their full potential. But the Junction Clubhouse in Cairns is playing a key role in providing a range of support services to help with housing, employment, personal development and healthy lifestyles. Thanks to their involvement with the Junction's Bike Bank, 10 members are now training to ride in the 780-kilometre Cairns to Karumba ultramarathon in June 2017. It is a remarkable undertaking. They will boost their fitness and highlight the determination and courage of people recovering from mental illness, while raising money for BUSHkids, a very important regional charity.

I am pleased to be on the Changing Lives Project advisory group, which is made up of Grant Moulang, Monty Summers, Richie Bates, Russell Harris, Dorothy Dunne, Esther Ritchie, Brenton Koch, David Giordano, Jacqui Mansfield, Rob Pyne, Marcus Hill, Tracey Hannah, Heather Beck and Mary-Anne Elkington. I would also like to acknowledge the other Junction members who are taking up the challenge—in particular, Stephen, Jason, Susan and Tage, who are sharing their journey with us. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I ask my colleagues to show their support by visiting the GoFundMe website and searching for the Changing Lives Project and just making a very small donation.