Wayne Schwass

My name is Wayne Schwass, I live in Gisborne and have raised my three children in this great country town. I have devoted my professional life to advocating for positive mental health change through my social enterprise, PukaUp (pukaup.com) . I’m dedicated to raising awareness about mental health, emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention.

The Macedon Ranges, and especially Gisborne, has an unacceptable level of youth who are living with significant mental health challenges and tragically we are reminded of the devastating impact of these insidious illnesses by the number of preventable suicides. Having worked in this field for the past 15 years it has become blindingly obvious to me that if we continue to do the same things we have always done historically then we cannot expect different outcomes.

Things must change, we have a wonderful opportunity to lead, to think differently and boldly. We must look for every opportunity available to act for the greater good of our region and future generations.

I have no vested interest in the Glen Junor project, nor will I benefit in anyway. I write to you as a passionate Gisborne resident and supporter of my trusted friend and fellow resident Trent McCamley and his vision and the change he wants to lead in this town.

The evidence is clear that the way towns are designed affect physical and mental health. This is just an afterthought, at best, for conventional property developers and an industry of planners who struggle to either grasp the research or lack the opportunity to do anything about it.  Access to nature, green open spaces,  walkability, safe pro-social places, affordability have a major positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. 

The Glen Junor project provides Gisborne with a generational opportunity to think outside the square and genuinely address the wellbeing and mental health of many of our residents both young and old. The opportunity to have a positive impact on another persons’ life is not lost on me, nor is the ability to offer hope, a sense of connection and community to people who feel disconnected, marginalised, hopeless and helpless.

Great people and communities do change lives, they do improve mental health and wellbeing, and they are essential and we must aspire to them. Poor neighbourhoods can also be built, open spaces shrunk, nature disappear, homes built that few can afford.

 I ask you to give serious consideration to supporting Trent, his vision for Glen Junor and Gisborne. I encourage you to challenge the status quo and old way of thinking and support this opportunity that has the potential to fundamentally transform Gisborne both now and for future generations.

This project not only has the possibility of bringing about profound generational change within our town and community but it has the very potential of becoming a beacon of hope, sustainability and progressive community advancement for other municipalities across the country. What a wonderful legacy that would be for us all.

This opportunity must be recognised for the profound value that it offers our community. Thinking differently needs to be celebrated, innovation embraced, we have to change and we are the people to do it.

Sincerely

Wayne Schwass.