Susan Morris has been involved in all but one of the 19 years that the Border Carers Reference Group has been running.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
When Ms Morris began working at Aged Concern (now LiveBetter), she learned about the collective of support organisations working to link up carers.
"The co-ordinator who was doing my role before me was one of the original members, so I started going to committee meetings," she said.
"We meet about seven times a year, and do two events, this being our major one which has been greatly supported by the Commercial Club."
Ms Morris, now carer advocate for One Door Mental Health, was among more than 100 people attending the reference group's annual Carer's Week lunch.
One Door Mental Health, formerly the Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW, is funded through NSW Health to provide support for people with mental illness and their families.
"There's been a lot of change in the mental health area with programs losing funding as the NDIS has taken over," Ms Morris said.
"It's been a big shift and a bit uncertain for a lot of people.
"With any new program it will take some time."
National Carers Week runs until October 19, honouring the 2.7 million family and friend carers providing 36 million hours of unpaid care at a value of $1.1 billion per week.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Ms Morris said the message was for carers to look after themselves, with many people being "hidden carers" by not realising they act in the role.
"It's very important you take time for yourself," she said.
"A lot of carers get so caught up in trying to find support for the person they're caring for, it takes over their life.
"If you're thinking about yourself, you can do a better job in your role."
Border Carers Reference Group chair Brooke Boede said organisations involved included UMFC, Intereach, Carers NSW, and Albury Wodonga Health.
Aspire Support Services family support co-ordinator Sue Pringle said Aspire alone ran 10 support groups linked to different conditions and needs.
"It [being a carer] can be quite challenging and we run social events to provide support," she said.