Lifeline WA Ambassadors

Lifeline WA Ambassadors

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  Graham Mabury

  Lifeline WA’s origins began with a radio show; the Nightline program on Radio 6PR, hosted by Baptist Minister Graham Mabury. For 33 years, Graham Mabury was a light in the darkness for hundreds of thousands of radio listeners in Perth providing companionship and compassion, entertainment and encouragement for people from all walks of life. 

  In 1986, Graham established the Living Stone Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that provided off-air counselling support for callers to the Nightline program, as well as material aid in the form of winter blankets and Christmas food hampers and toys to those hurting or in need in the community. The Foundation later merged with the operations of Life In Focus, an emergency relief group operated by the Churches of Christ and was accredited in 1994 to operate as a Lifeline Centre in WA.

  Graham is a pastor with the Mt Pleasant Baptist Church and has received many honours. Among them are an Order of Australia Medal, Citizen of the Year for Community Service, Fellow of Edith Cowan University, Volunteer of the Year, the Rona Oakley Award for Individual Achievement (WA Consumer Protection Awards) and the Advance Australia Award.

• 

  Vince and Anne Garreffa

  Vince Garreffa is one of Perth’s larger-than-life characters, known for his hilarious anecdotes, philanthropic spirit and popular butcher shop, Mondo di Carne. Born in 1951 in Calabria, Italy, he travelled to Western Australia as a five-year old boy and his family established itself in Northbridge (Perth) in the early 1950′s.  
  
  Vince and Anne Gareffa opened Mondo di Carne (World of Meats) in 1979 -  a shop which is now one of Australia’s premier gourmet butchers.
  
  Even more remarkable is the work Vince and Anne put into supporting local charities. Over twenty years, the couple has raised almost $4 million for Lifeline WA. With their team at Mondo di Carne, Vince and Anne host the Butcher’s picnic and an annual brunch in their Mt Lawley home each year, with proceeds going to Lifeline WA.

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  Ros Worthington

  Ros Worthington OAM is one of Australia’s most inspirational philanthropists. She established the Make-A-Wish Foundation in WA, later becoming the national Chairperson and international Director of the charity. She also established Breast Cancer Care WA, Lovel Angel Projects, and the annual Out of the Shadows and Into the Light Walk for Lifeline WA.
  
  She has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal, 2015 Western Australian of the Year for community and has twice been a finalist for Australian of the Year. She has been formally acknowledged as one of WA’s 100 Most Influential Western Australians. Ros lost her husband Ross, to suicide in 2002 and works tirelessly to raise awareness of the prevalence of suicide in our community and to encourage people to seek help. She has recently written a book, “The Power of Giving.”

• 

  Aurelio Costarella

  Aurelio Costarella, designer, is responsible for one of Australia’s most respected designer fashion brands with seasonal collections available in his flagship store in the State Buildings in Perth and in David Jones stores nationally. Lifeline WA is proud to have Aurelio as an ambassador and champion for its work in suicide prevention.
  
  Aurelio has supported Lifeline WA over several years and provided a brave and candid account of his struggle with depression at our Black Diamond ball in 2015. Through the sharing of his story, Aurelio is helping to break down the stigma surrounding suicide, encouraging more people to come forward to seek help.

• 

  Brad Hogg

  Brad Hogg is a cult hero of the Big Bash League, star of the international T20 circuit and proud former Australian test cricketer. From his childhood cricket obsession growing up Williams in rural Western Australia, to the day he donned the baggy green, Brad overcame numerous setbacks and challenges. His trademark charisma, self-deprecating humour and honesty often masked his bouts of self-doubt. During a seven-year gap between his first and second Test appearances, he turned his hand to a variety of jobs, most famously hitting the streets as a postie. Through persistence and enthusiasm, he won his way back into the national team, and was twice part of Australia’s champion World Cup sides. From the bush to the MCG and beyond, overcoming crippling insecurity and suicidal thoughts, Brad’s self-acceptance has been hard won. By getting involved with Lifeline WA Brad hopes to encourage people to open up and to see that there is someone that can help. In 2017, Brad spoke publicly of his experience of depression at Lifeline WA’s Black Diamond Gala Dinner and regularly promotes Lifeline WA’s suicide prevention services at speaking engagements and through the media.

  Brad has a particular interest in Men’s Mental Health and is currently working on a joint project with Lifeline WA and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy called “A Resourceful Life - Hoggy talks to everyday heroes”. This project will feature a series of videos that aim to help to reduce the stigma around mental ill-health and encourage people to reach out and seek help when they need it.

  Everyone struggles at times – the key is to reach out for help as early as possible to increase the chances of a faster recovery. It often helps to hear stories from others who are in the same situation as you or have a chat with a friend or a family member, but there’s also the option to speak with a professional or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 if someone needs more specific help.

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  Amber Merritt

  The AIS has partnered with Lifeline to provide opportunities for current and former elite athletes to tell their own personal story by raising awareness of mental health issues and suicide prevention.

  'I’m a full-time athlete, which is stressful in itself, and I was working a full-time job. I was studying and I was volunteering so there was very little time for me, and I was also going through some breakdowns in my personal life.

  Instead of making the phone call, I just kind of sat in my own darkness and unfortunately ended up being hospitalised. But we learn from these things and I want to push the message that you don’t have to feel that way.

  The Lifeline organisation has always been close to my heart, but especially in the past year or two. One of the things that I really acknowledged within myself was how alone I felt.'

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  Lily Gresele

  The AIS has partnered with Lifeline to provide opportunities for current and former elite athletes to tell their own personal story by raising awareness of mental health issues and suicide prevention.

  'I want to normalise the discussion around mental health - especially for adolescents and young adults. That’s the time in their life where they can be most vulnerable to this type of thing.

  Many young people want to conform and fit in with society, so it can be awkward or uncomfortable for them to talk about how they’re feeling, and they might be worried what people think.

  I am really passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health issues.Talk to someone. It can really lift a weight off you and provide some relief once it’s out there and you’re not bottling it up any more.'

• 

  Josh Di Nucci

  The AIS has partnered with Lifeline to provide opportunities for current and former elite athletes to tell their own personal story by raising awareness of mental health issues and suicide prevention.
  
  Josh Di Nucci is an Australian Gymnast.
  
  'Mental illness can silence people; through the Lifeline Community Custodian program I hope to bring light to those silenced and in need. I have an absolute passion for tearing down the walls of stigma and draw on candid experiences from my sporting career and personal life aimed at helping to empower, motivate, and inspire others.'