Warwick Carer Gala Lunch
Warwick, what a beautiful day you gave us!
As part of our October celebrations, Arafmi joined forces with Carers Queensland and Wellways Carer Gateway to host a special Carer Gala Lunch in the heart of the Southern Downs. The event brought local carers together for a day dedicated to recognising and celebrating the incredible role they play in supporting someone they care about.
More than just a lunch, the day offered carers a chance to pause, connect and focus on their own wellbeing. Vanessa guided attendees through gentle somatic movement and breathwork, creating a welcome opportunity to slow down, take a breath and be present in the moment, without the usual demands and decisions that can come with caring.
Music added to the warmth and atmosphere of the occasion, with Margie and Maple travelling from Stanthorpe to share their musical talents. Their performance brought the room to life and helped make the day a memorable celebration for everyone involved.
For carers living in regional Queensland, opportunities to attend events, access support and connect with others can sometimes be limited by distance. Bringing events like this to regional communities helps ensure carers feel recognised, supported and connected, wherever they live.
A heartfelt thank you to Carers Queensland and Wellways Carer Gateway for their ongoing commitment to supporting carers across Queensland. Most importantly, thank you to every carer who joined us in Warwick and allowed themselves to be celebrated.
Because carers deserve care, connection and moments to focus on themselves, too.
Cairns Mental Health Carer Forum
A Day of Connection, Conversation and Discovery in Cairns.
What a day in Cairns! The Arafmi Mental Health Carer Forum wrapped up with a room full of energy, meaningful conversations and a shared sense of connection. It was wonderful to bring carers together for a day of learning, reflection and discovering the support available to them.
For some attendees, the day began with uncertainty about what to expect. By the end, they were leaving with new connections, practical knowledge and valuable information to take back into their caring journeys. Most importantly, we hope they left feeling seen, heard and reassured that they are not alone.
One of the highlights was the carer panel, which explored the many different experiences and perspectives that make up the carer journey. Hearing directly from people with lived and living experience created opportunities for understanding, reflection and connection. Our interactive reflection activities also sparked lively conversations, giving attendees the chance to share their experiences, learn from one another and recognise the common ground they share.
A key message from the day
Many carers were unaware of just how many services and supports are available to them. For people who spend so much of their time caring for others, knowing where to turn for help can make a real difference. Connecting carers with information, resources and organisations that understand their experiences is at the heart of what we do, and days like this reinforce just how important that work is.
The Forum was a wonderful reminder that caring can sometimes feel isolating, but no one should have to navigate the journey alone. By creating opportunities for connection, sharing knowledge and raising awareness of available supports, we can help carers feel more confident, informed and supported.
A big thank you to our partners and participating organisations for helping make the day such a success. We are proud to have delivered the Forum in partnership with:
- Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation
- Eating Disorders Queensland
- Centacare FNQ
- Headspace Cairns
- Family Drug Support
- Little Dreamers Australia
- Raising Minds and
- Mind Australia.
Together, we are helping ensure that mental health carers have access to the information, connections and support they need, wherever they are on their caring journey.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Cairns and helped make the day so special!
Townsville Mental Health Carer Forum
On October 22nd, Arafmi brought our Mental Health Carer Forum to Townsville, and what a special day it was!
With more than 50 carers in the room, the energy was electric, connections were forming, and the gratitude was palpable. From our panel discussions to activities like Connection Cards and The Regional Carer Journey, the day was filled with meaningful conversations, shared experiences and moments of recognition.
One of the most moving things to witness was the visible sense of relief as local carers recognised that others were navigating similar challenges along their carer journey. It was a powerful reminder of just how much four simple words can mean: you are not alone.
It’s a message Arafmi has shared since our humble beginnings, and one that continues to ring true today.
Exploring the Regional Carer Journey
Together, we explored what it means to be a mental health carer in a regional community, with experienced carers and sector supporters generously sharing their stories, perspectives and hopes for the future.
The forum created space for carers to connect, learn from one another and feel seen and understood. These moments of connection are at the heart of what we do, because no one should have to navigate their carer journey without support.
A Village of Support
A day like this takes a village, and what a village we had!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the Townsville Mental Health Carer Forum so meaningful:
- Our joyful MC, Irene Clelland, Arafmi CEO, for guiding the day with warmth and enthusiasm.
- Wulgurukaba Walkabout, for delivering the Welcome to Country.
- Deborah Pratt, Executive Assistant Director at the Queensland Mental Health Commission, for her address and leadership in mental health reform.
- Janelle Poole MP, Member for Mundingburra, for speaking directly to carers in her community.
- Our Carer Panel, for sharing their experiences so openly and honestly.
- Our Supporter Panel, for sharing valuable insights into local services and supports.
- The Arafmi and Wellways Carer Gateway Carer Facilitators, for representing and supporting carers across their regions.
Your generosity, knowledge and commitment helped create a space where carers could feel heard, valued and connected.
Making Space for Connection, Calm and Creativity
The day flowed beautifully thanks to the joyful movement breaks and self-compassion practices expertly guided by Sue Goodwin, Policy and Advocacy Manager (Lived Experience), and Cheryl Mascali, Carer Support Facilitator.
Their sessions brought movement, connection, breath and kindness into the room, giving carers the opportunity to pause, reconnect with themselves and take a moment for their own wellbeing.
Carers also enjoyed some much-deserved relaxation, courtesy of our wonderful massage angel, alongside a creative, art-centred chill-out zone led by Jackie from Hands on Consulting.
These thoughtful touches helped create a welcoming environment where carers could take a breath, recharge and enjoy being part of a supportive community.
Connecting Carers with Local Support
We were delighted to welcome our wonderful stallholders, who shared information about their services and the support available to carers and families:
If you would like to learn more about their work or connect with their teams, we encourage you to reach out to them directly.
We also extend a huge thank you to Little Red Theatre Company, Magnetic Island Ferries, Photography By Scott Radford-Chisholm, Loving Loudly and the Cowboys for their generous donations, helping us spoil our carers with some well-deserved experiences.
Your generosity helped make the day even more special.
Thank You, Townsville
To every speaker, panellist, presenter, sponsor, stallholder and supporter: thank you for sharing your knowledge, lived experience, time and creativity so generously.
And, most importantly, to the carers who joined us in Townsville; thank you for showing up, sharing your stories and making space for one another.
Your courage, compassion and willingness to connect are what make these forums so meaningful.
The Townsville Mental Health Carer Forum was a beautiful reminder of the power of community and the difference it makes when carers come together and realise they are not alone.
Because no one should have to navigate their carer journey alone.
Thank you, Townsville. We’re so grateful to have shared this day with you.
Townsville Carer Gala Dinner
A Night to Remember: Celebrating Townsville’s Carers
Last week, Townsville’s carers enjoyed a special night out dedicated entirely to them, and what a night it was! Strangers arrived and sat together at tables, but by the end of the evening, they were jumping up for group photos, sharing plenty of laughs and filling the dance floor. The band had everyone buzzing, creating an atmosphere full of energy, joy and connection.
One couple shared a particularly heartwarming story: it was their first proper night out together since before they had their five children! Moments like these remind us just how meaningful it can be for carers to take a break from their usual responsibilities and enjoy time together.
Because caring for others shouldn’t mean missing out on life’s special moments.
Time away from the caring role, a delicious meal, live music and the opportunity to connect with others can make a real difference to a carer’s wellbeing. These moments offer a chance to recharge, strengthen relationships and remember that there is more to life than the responsibilities of caring.
Although Carers Week has come to an end, this celebration was the perfect way to wrap up the week and recognise the incredible contribution carers make every day. We hope everyone went home feeling appreciated, connected and a little lighter.
A heartfelt thank you to our partners, Carers Queensland and Wellways Carer Gateway, for co-hosting this wonderful soiree and for their ongoing commitment to supporting carers of all kinds across Queensland. Events like this are made possible by organisations that understand the importance of recognising, supporting and celebrating carers.
And finally, thank you to everyone who joined us in Townsville, for the dancing, the laughter, the conversations and the wonderful energy you brought to the evening.
You deserved every moment of celebration, and we had an absolute ball celebrating with you!
