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More than 600 people will celebrate Youth Mental Health at Live4Life 2025 launch in Wellington Shire on 30 May

More than 600 students and leaders will gather in Sale on 30 May to launch Live4Life 2025, a youth-led mental health initiative supporting rural communities through education, connection, and collaboration.

By news@gippsland - 23rd May 2025 - Back to News

More than 600 students, staff, and local leaders will gather at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex in Sale on Friday 30 May to celebrate the official launch of Live4Life 2025, a youth-led mental health initiative focused on education, connection, and support.

Live4Life 2025 launch unites six local schools and key agencies to support youth mental health across Wellington Shire

Youth mental health

In partnership with schools, health services, and local government, Live4Life is Australia's only mental health education and youth suicide prevention model designed specifically for rural and regional communities. This year's theme, developed by student representatives of the Live4Life crew from Year 9 and 10 in Wellington Shire is "Stay Strong. If you fall apart, mental health is where we start." The event brings together students from six local secondary schools:

• Sale College
• Maffra Secondary College
• Yarram Secondary College
• Catholic College Sale
• Gippsland Grammar
• Sale District Specialist School

Alongside representatives from Victoria Police, Headspace, Quantum Support Services, Latrobe Regional Health, the Department of Education, Wellington Shire and Gippsland Primary Health Network.

Empowering youth wellbeing

Deputy Mayor of Wellington Shire Council, Cr Cindy Madeley is looking forward to the day and will officially open the Live4Life Launch event. Cr Madeley is hoping to engage with the crew about their leadership, creativity, and the important role they play in supporting youth mental health. "Live4Life is about changing the conversation," Cr Madeley said. "It's about making sure young people feel supported, connected, and empowered to care for their own mental health and each other."

Live music, a keynote address from Xavier Chalkley of Control the Scroll, and a full program of wellbeing-focused activities will keep students engaged throughout the day. Lunch, games, and crew-led workshops are all designed to build resilience, foster connection, and reduce stigma.

The initiative is generously supported by the John Leslie Foundation and driven by a strong, collaborative network of Wellington schools, service providers, community leaders, and young people themselves. The day promises to be both uplifting and impactful, helping to ensure every young person in Wellington Shire feels part of a caring and mentally healthy community. For more information on the event, please contact Wellington Shire Youth Project Officer on 0430 932 220.

Pictures from Wellington Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks.
• Four Gippsland students win Water Week Poster competition promoting conservation and sustainability
  Four young Gippsland artists have been recognised in Gippsland Water’s 2026 National Water Week poster competition, highlighting water conservation. Mirboo North Primary School won $500, while student Penelope placed third statewide.
• Darren Chester welcomes Mallacoota students to Parliament House during Canberra visit, discussing democracy and the role of elected representatives
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed Mallacoota P-12 College students to Parliament House during their Canberra visit, discussing Federal Parliament, democracy and the role of elected representatives.
• Liberals and Nationals pledge forest restoration, fuel reduction, bushfire preparedness and regional job support across Victoria
  The Liberals and Nationals propose restoring active forest management, doubling planned burns, treating more public land, expanding firebreaks and restoring 5,000 hectares annually to reduce bushfire risks and support regional timber jobs.
• Yarram Pool installs new accessibility pod to improve safety, comfort and inclusion for residents with mobility challenges
  Yarram Pool has installed a new accessibility pod following community feedback, providing safer, more comfortable water access for residents with mobility challenges ahead of the summer swimming season.
• Draft Omeo District Place Plan released for after 10 months of consultation for final community feedback until 2 October 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council has released the draft Omeo District Place Plan for feedback, prioritising health, education, housing, employment, social connection, environmental care and emergency preparedness. Submissions close October 2.