HAWKS SHOW THE WAY

The One in Five round is this weekend and we spotlight efforts of our clubs to raise money and awareness of depression, which affects one in five young men.
The Hawthorn Amateur Football Club has been touched on more than one occasion in recent years, by the tragedy of depression in men. Sadly, they lost two former players, and a player’s father, through suicides between 2007 and 2009.

This prompted them to do something to raise awareness in their club and in our community to help prevent any further tragedy.Over the past three years, they have held lunches at their club rooms and a VIP breakfast. 
Guest speakers so far have included Premier Ted Baillieu, Beyond Blue Chairman and former Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett, Gold Coast Suns player Campbell Brown, former Carlton great – Ken Hunter, plus various medical experts speaking about Men’s Health and depression.

These lunches and breakfast have attracted the media in the form of Channel 9 news, The Age and The Herald Sun.This year Premier Ted Baillieu again offered to be guest speaker at our match day luncheon. In addition, Julia Mason from One in Five, Mark Fine from SEN and Bill Brownless from Channel 9 Footy Show and MMM were all kind enough to give up their time and speak at the HAFC Mental Health Awareness Lunch. The crowd attending the lunch were very impressed by this line up of speakers.
HAFC also had a kind offer from Carlton Football Club to use Visy Park for the day (Reserves and Club 18 on outside ground, seniors on main ground). 
The Hawks thanked Power House and Richmond Central Club 18′s for allowing the change of venue and special ‘Blue’ Hawthorn jumper to be worn on the day to highlight awareness of Mental Health.  Special mention was made of veteran VAFA umpire Peter Teasdale for his ongoing support of this day.
Locker Group and Embracia Aged Care Homes sponsored the event, and the Hawthorn AFC has been able to establish a financial fund to be available for any members of their club who need support in addressing depression or other mental challenges.
Congratulations to president Patrick Clancey and the Hawks committee on their great work.
The Old Xaverians announced that One in Five would benefit from the proceeds of their President’s Lunch last Saturday.