Esperance local joins State mental health council, Duncan
Author: Wendy Duncan
Published on: 03-June-2011
The selection of Esperance resident Pam Gardner to the State’s first Mental Health Advisory Council will benefit both Esperance and the State according to Member for Mining and Pastoral Hon Wendy Duncan MLC.
Ms Duncan said Mrs Gardner was truly dedicated to improving outcomes for people with mental illness and has worked for decades to achieve this.
“Pam is someone who truly cares deeply about the welfare of people,” Ms Duncan said.
“With her wealth of experience and knowledge gathered over the last three decades, and her focus on rural life and the challenges people face, she is well placed to advise the State Government.”
A retired teacher, Mrs Gardner has until recently been the chairperson of the Bay of Isles Community Outreach Inc for 7 years, and a board member for 14 years. She has been closely involved in developing support services in the South East Goldfields encompassing Esperance, Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun and Norseman.
She has been a member of the Western Australian Association of Mental Health Board for 4 years, and has more than 30 years’ experience working with intellectually disabled children, teenagers and adults. Last year, she travelled to Trieste in Italy to study their mental health model and understand how they successfully bring services to the community.
Mrs Gardner has also spent many years as a carer.
The 12-member Mental Health Advisory Council will advise the State Government of problems mentally ill people experience in the health system. It will meet at least six times a year in addition to out of session work as required.
