Sculpture to increase mental illness awareness

FOR some it will be a place of memory and reflection, but for many, a new three-metre marble sculpture planned for Newcastle’s Foreshore Park will represent so much more.

Called Resilience, the sculpture will stand to recognise the impact that mental illness has on the Hunter community, but its creators say it will not simply be a memorial to those lost. Rather, it will reflect acceptance, awareness and understanding of one of the region’s greatest health challenges.

‘‘Mental illness is a fragment of our community,’’ Joanne Sinclair said. ‘‘It’s always been a part of our community, and it always will be. We can’t hide it, and the problem is only going to get worse.’’

Ms Sinclair, backed by well-known mental health campaigner and broadcaster Craig Hamilton, is heading a team of mental health carers at ARAFMI who this week unveiled a miniature scale model of the sculpture, to be created by Newcastle-based sculptor Roger McFarlane.

The marble sculpture itself  will be two metres high and 190centimetres wide, and mounted on a one metre-high base that will be able to house flower stems as symbols of remembrance. It  will be located next to the park’s frog ponds on a site already identified by Newcastle council.

The words compassion, hope, growth and support will be etched in gold leaf on the base, which will also feature a high-tech QR matrix that  will allow visitors to scan a code with their smartphones and  call up information on mental health services, as well as links to other sites and support services.

The project’s backers have already secured $15,000 worth of support from Orica, but need a lot more to reach their target of about $130,000.

‘‘A lot of people would say that’s exorbitant but we see the value in it and what it represents,’’ Ms Sinclair said. ‘‘It would be a peaceful and quiet place for individuals and carers touched by mental illness, but at other times it will be a place for community events and a starting place for our annual Walk of Pride event.’’

Anyone wanting to contribute  can donate  into Greater Building Society account 720295202 (BSB: 637-000).

To donate phone  0401768222