Art of the Minds a finalist in Community Achievement Awards

ART of the Minds’ Jules Haddock is a finalist in this year’s Community Achievement Awards for Victoria, but says the Art of the Minds Festival has already won regardless of whether she gets a prize.

The Torquay resident is one of three nominees in the Awards Australia Charitable Foundation Mental Health and Wellbeing Award.

Held each year in October, the Art of the Minds Festival has evolved into a thriving mental health and wellbeing festival from its humble beginnings with 20 artists.

Ms Haddock, president of Art of the Minds, started her journey in 2016 to ignite a conversation around mental health, and her determination has allowed the festival to flourish since then, despite facing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival engages, educates, and activates communities, fostering resilience and hope.

It spans all generations, from young children to the elderly, bringing together diverse groups to talk about mental health.

Ms Haddock’s passion for creative education has built connections and conversations that transcend the Surf Coast region.

She said it was exciting to be nominated, not just for her but for the many people and businesses she had worked with along the way.

“It’s a new category this year, so we thought we’d put in for it.

“It’s exciting to be recognised for what we’ve accomplished, because it’s [the festival] getting bigger and bigger every year.

“Although the award is in my name, I’m very much honoured by all the volunteers and businesses that have supported our growth.

“We’re really now becoming a signature event on the Surf Coast, and even if we don’t win, we’ve won anyway.”

Ms Haddock is also eligible for the People’s Choice Award, with voting to close on November 27.

The Community Achievement Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals, businesses, and organisations in regional development, leadership, innovation, community service, customer service, and more.

This year’s awards will be presented at a gala dinner on December 1.

For more information, head to awardsaustralia.com/community-achievement-awards/vic