Competition hits right note with community
- 26th September 2008
A UNIQUE music competition will be held in Toowoomba which is giving people a special insight into the lives of people with a mental illness.
Now in its second year, the InstruMental Music Quest aims at giving local talent the opportunity to perform a song that best illustrates Mental Health Week's theme for this year -“Be Mind Wise”.
Organiser, James Cook University social worker Nikee McDonald, who is on placement at Baillie Henderson Hospital said that ideally competitors should write the songs, to be performed as a contest at Grand Central Shopping Centre, Level 2 on October 9.
“Mental Health Week is all about promoting awareness and providing information to the community about mental health,” Ms McDonald said.
“The more information we generate within the community the easier it is for people to understand mental health illness.”
Queensland Health's acting program coordinator and social worker at Baillie Henderson Hospital, Paula Blomfield developed the concept of the InstruMental Music Quest as a means of engaging the community in Mental Health Week activities
“Last year the contestants were powerful in expressing their own interpretation of the Mental Health Week theme, with some contestants openly disclosing their personal reflections of mental illness,” Ms Blomfield said.
Last year's winner of the open group category, City Loop, have entered again and are looking for back-to-back success.
Anyone can enter, as there are open and under 18 sections, both in the individual and group categories.
Ms Blomfield said Executive Director of Mental Health Service Shirley Wigan would officially open the competition at 4pm and address key mental health issues including the important role the community plays in contributing towards recovery for people with a mental illness.
Michael Burge, mental health consumer consultant will inspire the audience through his account of mental illness from a consumer's perspective.
Schizophrenia Fellowship, Toowoomba and Darling Downs branch is assisting with organising the event. Plenty of information brochures and promotional freebies will be distributed throughout the event. Ms Blomfield said judging from last year's event she expected entries from people with and without a mental illness.
Owen Ray's International Music will be a major sponsor of the event. The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation is also assisting with providing sponsorship.
The theme of Mental Health Week, Be Mind Wise.
For more information or to get an entry form, contact Ms McDonald or Ms Blomfield on 4699 8888.
