SPRING 2025 Mid-Western Living | 35 A Lifeline for Mudgee - and Beyond IN THE COMMUNITY At Lifeline Central West, supporting people through their darkest moments is at the heart of everything they do. From drought-stricken paddocks to quiet 2am phone calls, their commitment to walking beside those in crisis has spanned over 45 years. Now, thanks to a generous $60,000 donation from ACEN Australia, that support is growing stronger in the MidWestern Region. This funding will directly train five new local Crisis Supporters and deliver five Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses across Mudgee, Dunedoo, Coolah, Gulgong and Wellington. It’s a powerful investment in community resilience — one that embeds knowledge where it matters most and equips locals with the skills to respond in life-saving ways. Stephanie Robinson, CEO of Lifeline Central West, says this kind of action reflects the best of what partnerships can achieve. “ACEN didn’t just hand over a cheque - they listened, they engaged, and they backed our region with real, meaningful support.” Listening, Then Acting Lifeline’s relationship with Mudgee isn’t new. They’ve delivered financial and gambling counselling, suicide prevention training, DV Alert sessions, and mental health workshops in the region for years. But when the community made it clear they wanted more than occasional workshops and fly-in services, Lifeline responded. With support from Mid-Western Regional Council, the Lifeline Central West Mudgee Hub was born - a local base run by locals, for locals, housed within the town’s Cultural Centre. It’s still early days, but the vision is bold: to create a sustainable, connected hub of care and crisis support for the entire region. Why This Matters Now The need is urgent. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, calls to Lifeline from regional NSW have surged. At the same $60,000 grant powers mental health training and support across the region time, the volunteer base is ageing and distance remains a real barrier - with some Mudgee-based trainees previously needing to travel over 200km for practical supervision. This funding changes that, removing barriers and building a local pipeline of care from training through to frontline support. By mid-2026, it’s expected that around 100 people across the Mid-Western, Warrumbungle and Western Plains shires will have completed MHFA training. Those skills don’t just sit in a certificate - they show up in workplaces, sporting clubs, schools and households, often in quiet, crucial moments when someone just needs to be heard. A Day of Connection - for a Cause To help fund the future of the Mudgee Hub, Lifeline will host its first-ever Mudgee Charity Golf Day on 10 October 2025. Local businesses, community groups and individuals are invited to join the fun - with all proceeds going directly to support the hub’s ongoing operations. “It’ll be a day of connection, laughter, and purpose - and yes, a bit of friendly rivalry on the greens,” says Steph. “Every swing supports someone’s second chance.” More Than a Donation - A Lifeline This partnership with ACEN Australia reflects the true power of local investment. It shows what’s possible when large organisations listen deeply and act with heart. As Steph puts it: “You haven’t just given a grant. You’ve made sure someone is there to answer the phone at 2am. You’ve made it possible for a mate in Dunedoo or Gulgong to say, ‘I’ve got you.’ And that’s everything.” ___ To learn more or get involved: info@lifelinecentralwest.org.au 1300 798 258 lifelinecentralwest.org.au
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