More than just a gala
In World Mental Health Month, The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health (Jilya) will hold our annual Indigenous Suicide Prevention Fundraising Gala.
The annual fundraiser commenced in 2021 to increase the number of Indigenous psychologists into our highest risk Aboriginal communities – sparked by the 13 deaths by suicide of Aboriginal young people in the Kimberley. It has become a night of hope and optimism in which we celebrate the achievements of our current students and announce our 2023 recipients.
This year, now that our army of psychologists has grown to 41, funds raised will go towards to developing a NATIONAL Indigenous Psychology Clinic and Psychological Assessment Service to value add to services on the ground.
With 6% of Indigenous people in mental health distress accessing services, Jilya wants to change that unacceptable statistic!
This year, now that will include for the FIRST time, recipients from Alice Springs; consistent with the program’s ethos – to develop permanent skills capacity in our highest risk communities. Because locals never leave!
We do not need to look outside of our communities to be saved; to be rescued. Communities always know what they need; Jilya is providing the opportunities to ensure that!
The stunning three-course gala dinner, with all-inclusive prestige wines and craft beer will be hosted by our emcee, former ABC Perth Radio presenter, Geoff Hutchison and complemented with performances from: Corroboree for Life, Bojesse Pigram, Kobi Morrison and Maatakitj.
Joining them will be our special guest, Tasma Walton, our very own Dr Tracy Westerman AM who will deliver a captivating Keynote and an exclusive video appearance from, the multi award winning country music artist, Kasey Chambers.
Please join Dr Tracy Westerman AM, and The Jilya Board at Winthrop Hall, UWA for a night of hope, optimism and a celebration of Indigenous talent and excellence.
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INTRODUCING…
Dr Tracy Westerman AM
Our Founding Director & Presenter
Dr Tracy Westerman AM is a proud Nyamal woman from the Pilbara region of WA, Founding Director of the Westerman Jilya Institute, and long been considered a critical thought leader in aboriginal mental health, suicide prevention and cultural competency.
In 2003, she became the first Aboriginal person to complete a combined masters and PhD in clinical psychology. In 2018 she was awarded with the WA’s Australian of the year award as recognition for spending over two decades working to reduce the burden of mental ill health and suicide in Aboriginal communities.
Geoff Hutchison
Our Host
Geoff Hutchison has for many years been a familiar voice on ABC Radio Perth.
For 16 years, a daily conduit of public conversation on the issues that matter to the people of this place.
In a media career spanning more than four decades, he has also been a senior reporter on the 7.30 Report and became the ABC’s Europe correspondent in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on New York.
Geoff likes to ask questions and tell stories but believes the real talent he’s acquired over the years, is the simple ability, to just listen. Now there’s a lesson worth learning.
Maatakitj – Clint Bracknell
Featured artist
Maatakitj is an eclectic Noongar song-maker and guitarist originally from the south coast of Western Australia. An awarded Australian theatre composer, his music also features in films and television internationally. The Australian describes Clint’s voice and guitar as ‘pure magic’ and his 2022 release Noongar Wonderland, featuring ARIA award-winning producer Paul Mac, melds Noongar song traditions and electronic dance music.
For more than a decade, Clint has focused on Noongar language and song revitalisation, co-translating and composing for the critically lauded Noongar language adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth known as Hecate (Perth Festival 2020), and coproducing, co-translating and playing a lead role in the audacious Noongar language dub of the 1972 Bruce Lee’s 1972 film, retitled Fist of Fury Noongar Daa (Perth Festival 2021).
He holds a doctorate in music from the University of Western Australia where he is currently Professor of Music.
Kobi Morrison & Madjitil Moorna
Featured artists
Madjitil Moorna is a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who sing in language to build understanding, hope and joy. Award-winning songwriters and performers Della Rae Morrison and Kobi Arthur Morrison lead the group.
People love to listen to the mix of soulful and joyous contemporary and classic songs.
Bojesse Pigram
Featured artist
Bojesse is a youth singer/songwriter from West Australia growing up between his hometowns Broome and Perth. Bojesse was raised in a musically rich family, and despite the “family business” it wasn’t until age 16 that Bojesse turned to music as an outlet for the “typical emotional rollercoaster that is adolescence”.
Drawing from artists such as John Mayer, Ed Sheeran and Jon Bellion, Bojesse is currently developing his sound and diving deep into the realm of music production and song writing. 2017 marked a huge event where Bojesse made it to the live finals and top 12 of The Voice Australia finishing 11th overall. He walked away from the whole experience with his glass half full having learnt a lot about the engine that drives massive TV productions and all its workings.
In 2018 another learning experience presented for Bojesse relocating to Brisbane for music mentorship. Currently Bojesse is continuing to write new music whilst touring with Bran Nue Dae.
Tasma Walton
Special Guest
Tasma Walton is a proud Boonwurrung woman from the saltwater Country of Melbourne and surrounding coastlines.
As an award winning actress, she has most recently garnered recognition for her acclaimed role of Mary Swan in the highly regarded Mystery Road television and film franchise. She has appeared in numerous television productions, including Rake, Cleverman, It’s A Date, City Homicide, Sea Patrol, Little Oberon, The Secret Life Of Us, White Collar Blue, and her well renowned role of Dash McKinley in Blue Heelers, for which she received a Best New Talent Logie Award.
Her films include Ivan Sen’s Mystery Road, Looking For Grace, Blessed, Subterano, Virtual Nightmare, Airtight and Fistful Of Flies, for which she won the Soschi Film Festival Award for Best Actress. Most recently, she appeared in How To Please A Woman, Sweet As and the soon to be released Kid Snow.
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CAN’T ATTEND BUT WANT TO SUPPORT?
Donate to our clinic
Our fundraising goal to open our very own National Indigenous Psychology Clinic and Psychological Assessment Service is $600,000.
This service will deliver culturally and clinically valid services to our clients and value add to existing services on the ground in high-risk communities.
Help us achieve our fundraising goal and establish our clinic:
Pay it forward
Each year we allocate tickets to bereaved Aboriginal families and frontline mental health volunteers to ensure that our most valuable members of the community are front and centre of this incredible night of inspiration. You can underwrite the cost of these tickets by making a tax-deductible donation below.
Donate to underwrite the cost of a ticket for a bereaved family member to attend the Gala:
A huge thank you to our donors and supporters:
Become a sponsor:
Jilya would like to acknowledge this event would not be possible without the generous support of all of our artists, event sponsors and the University of Western Australia.
If you would like to be recognised by us as an amazing sponsor please get in touch…