Members Statement
Mr D O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (12:53): I rise to pay tribute to the Sale City Football Netball Club for its leadership in the mental health space, particularly for dedicating its first home game last month to education, raising awareness and fundraising for Dancing with the Black Dog, a mental health charity. This follows the tragic loss last year of Justin McLay, a premiership player at both the Bulldogs and the Sale City Football Netball Club, as well as the death years earlier of past premiership player Rob Stal. Sale City is one of many sporting clubs dealing with such tragedies, including its opponent that day, Rosedale, Stratford and many more. That footy clubs are taking a lead in trying to prevent deaths like those of Macca from happening is fantastic and a sign of the enormous steps we have taken as a community in dealing with mental health challenges in recent years. Great credit goes to the day’s main organiser, Greg Robinson, who happens to be my brother-in-law; president Mick Clapton and all involved. Collectively there is so much we can do to beat the black dog.