AFL great Wayne Schwass to speak at Corryong mental health event

The Upper Murray community experienced a horror 2020 with devastating bushfires, the loss of community events due to COVID-19 and the deaths of three young men, two to suicide and the other to cancer.

Corryong Health's Community Inclusion Project has helped fund the event and has recognised the need for the Upper Murray to reunite.

"It was a group formed post bushfires with funding to bring some joy back to the community and run events to bring people back together and help shine some light on some pretty dark times," community inclusion administrator Tahnia Whitsed said.

"Mental health has been a big thing with two suicides of two young men in the community last year.

"With Wayne having his own experience with mental health, we thought we'd ask him to have a chat to the community."

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Miss Whitsed's father, Stephen, has helped bring sports stars to the region in the past, with former Australian netballers Cath Cox, Bianca Chatfield and Super Netball star Sarah Wall lining up in matches at Corryong in 2015.

It was his connection with former North Melbourne captain Anthony Stevens that inspired the idea to get Mr Schwass involved.

"He was talking to Anthony after the bushfires and he suggested we have a chat to Wayne," Miss Whitsed said.

"We got onto him and he was more than happy to come. It's great to see how keen he is to come to our community."

A meet and greet with Schwass will run from 3pm at Corryong Recreation Reserve, with the presentation under way at 7pm.

The cost of the event is $5 and can be booked through Corryong Health on (02) 6076 3200.

It is limited to 120 people due to COVID-19 rules.