Last year, members had the privilege of hearing Georgia speak at our Club about the deeply personal journey that led her and her sisters to establish the charity “It’s Okay Not To Be Okay”.
Georgia shared the heartbreaking story of losing their younger brother Ben to suicide in 2016 and the devastating impact this had on their family. Through grief and loss, the family made a conscious decision to honour Ben’s memory by helping others facing mental health struggles feel seen, supported and able to seek help.
What began as a personal response to tragedy has grown into an important community movement focused on mental health awareness, suicide prevention and creating safe spaces for conversation. Through advocacy, events, education and support initiatives, the organisation encourages people to check in on one another and reminds individuals that they do not have to struggle alone.
Members were deeply moved by Georgia’s honesty, vulnerability and determination to create positive change from unimaginable loss.
Her message strongly aligns with the work currently being supported by RCME in local primary schools through wellbeing initiatives designed to encourage resilience, emotional awareness and open conversations around mental health. Programs teaching students that “It’s OK Not To Be OK” are helping young people develop the confidence to seek support early and support others around them. Two of our members, Mary Hunt and Yvonne Simpson were present at the Melbourne Town Hall event when Georgia received her award.
At a time when youth mental health challenges continue to affect communities across Australia, the importance of lived experience, compassionate leadership and early intervention cannot be overstated.
Georgia’s courage in sharing her family’s story continues to inspire meaningful conversations and create lasting impact throughout the Mornington Peninsula community and beyond.
The Rotary Club of Mount Eliza congratulates Georgia on this outstanding and well-deserved recognition and thanks her for the extraordinary contribution she continues to make to the lives of others.