Art of the Minds returns to the coast

A NINE-DAY festival across Surf Coast will begin tomorrow (Saturday, October 7) to start National Mental Health Week.

The Art of the Minds Festival returns this weekend with a full line-up of activities and events to activate, educate and engage the Surf Coast and wider community to manage mental health and wellbeing.

The annual festival will run from October 7-15 across a range of locations, with president Jules Haddock stating it will be the largest festival since its inception in 2018.

“We’ve seen absolute growth for the festival over the past year and we’re really now starting to get our logo recognised – from that people are also learning what we provide.

“Sometimes what people don’t understand is there is no festival like this in Australia.

“People might do events during Mental Health Week, but nowhere else is there a whole pillar of events for all ages over an extended period of time.”

The festival schedule is jam-packed full of free and ticketed events, including live music, dance, trivia, a community paddle out, exhibitions, poetry, educational workshops, wellness events, golf, and more.

Major events include the Shimmer & Shake Fundraising Ball at Mt Duneed Estate, which will open the festival tomorrow.

All funds raised on the night will be donated to Foundation 61.

The annual Surf Coast Song Contest will rock the festival’s proceedings on Tuesday, October 10, boasting a talented line-up local musicians performing their “Songs of Hope and Wellbeing”.

This year’s Big Boys Breakfast will be hosted at the Torquay Bowls Club on Wednesday, October 11.

Following Majak Daw’s appearance at last year’s Big Boys Breakfast, AFL legend Glenn Manton will feature as this year’s special guest.

Manton will touch on his personal life and career to shine a light on mental health from a male perspective.

“It’s super amazing to see community organisations contributing to the festival this year, we’re seeing unprecedented numbers of local businesses assisting,” Ms Haddock said.

“Mental illness is something that touches everyone and often people don’t know the signs and symptoms, so hopefully people gain a better understanding of how to manage good mental health by attending an event over the next week.”

Geelong Community Foundation was recently named as the festival’s major sponsor.

For more on the Art of the Minds Festival and the full program, head to artoftheminds.org.au