The award recognises the community partnership Walcha Central School has developed with the Walcha Mental Health Committee.

The Walcha Mental Health Committee was formed following a WCS student initiated and facilitated forum to understand and recognise youth mental health issues.

Ninety community groups, representing 18 stakeholder groups, attended the forum at the school in 2001.

The resulting committee has since evolved into a wider community mental health representative body.

In the successful application for the Schools First Award a number of potential projects were outlined in which WCS has partnered with: local GPs; the North West Slopes Division of General Practitioners; Hunter NE Health; Walcha Council; local services clubs; local police and the local Aboriginal community, to educate and empower students to be resilient, lifelong learners who can make informed choices and manage change effectively.

For the full article get this week's Walcha News