ABC Rugby League Commentator Craig Hamilton to speak at Public Meeting on Depression

Date: SUNDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2005
Time: 7pm
Place: City Hall
Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre
105 Williams Street
Bathurst NSW
Admission: Free

Craig Hamilton, ABC Radio sports broadcaster will speak in Bathurst at a beyondblue Public Meeting on Depression on Sunday, 27 November. Mr Hamilton will tell the remarkable story of his breakdown on the eve of the Sydney Olympic Games, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, his recovery and return to work. Craig's story has been featured on ABC TV's Compass program and in the book, Broken Open, published by Random House Australia.

Other speakers at the event include Mr Craig Hodges, beyondblue Youth Program Manager, a GP, a carer and a psychologist from the local community.

The CEO of beyondblue: the national depression initiative, Ms Leonie Young, said: "We appreciate Craig making time in his busy schedule to support beyondblue in getting the message out that depression is common and there are effective treatments available."

The event coincides with the arrival in Bathurst of the Rotary Health Safari, which left Sydney on July 1 for a six-month trip around Australia to raise awareness of depression and promote the importance of good mental health. By the time the journey ends in Sydney next month, the Safari's purpose-built Winnebago will have travelled 35,000km and visited more than 400 towns.

Facts on depression 
 - One in five people living in Australia will experience depression in their lifetime
 - More than one million people in Australia experience depression each year
 - Six million working days are lost every year due to depression
 - Although depression is treatable, less than half those experiencing it seek treatment

For dates and locations of beyondblue Public Meetings and Safari route click here:
or go to www.rotaryhealthsafari.org.au