Join us for HAND UP Day!

This years theme is “Music” and its ability to influence your mental health.

#strengthandconnection

#musicformob

Mahalia Branson

Proud Wotjobaluk and Narungga descendant

Join us for HAND UP Day!

This years theme is “Music” and its ability to influence your mental health.

#strengthandconnection

#musicformob

Get Involved in 2024!

Mahalia Branson

Proud Wotjobaluk and Narungga descendant

Friday 30th September 2022

#putyourhandup

#Strengthandconnection

Jaala Marks-Lovett

Gunditjmara and Wotjobaluk woman

HAND UP 2024

Friday 4th October 2024, 10am

Meet @ Horsham Botanical Gardens for Connection Walk

Horsham Soundshell (main event)

HAND UP 2024

Friday 4th October 2024, 10am

Meet @ Horsham Botanical Gardens for Connection Walk

Horsham Soundshell (main event)

What it's all about

HAND UP is a mental health awareness campaign initiated by Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative. HAND UP is celebrated through an annual community event for all the Mob living on Wotjobaluk Country and all those living off Country, with links to our region. This event gives our community a chance to gather in celebration of our connected strength-putting our Hand Up, not only to offer support to others but seek support from others for ourselves in times of need. Together, we are strong, connected and resilient. HAND UP celebrates this strength in us all.

What HAND UP is all about?


Hand Up celebrates the shared resilience of a strong and connected mob and acknowledges bravery throughout the healing journey.


HAND UP aims to:

  • Enhance Community connection
  • Create better engagement with Mental Health Services
  • De-stigmatise the ‘shame job’ of seeking support for mental health.

Check out the full HAND UP Playlist on our YouTube channel

Meet the artist

A young & proud Palawa woman, Hayley Newton-Burnie’s artwork was selected to represent the HAND UP campaign. Her artwork, titled ‘HAND UP’ signifies her own journey of putting her hand up and asking for help from her community. HAND UP signifies that there is strength in asking for assistance when dealing with your own Mental Health issues. She recalls this was hard at the time but allowed for aspects of her life to improve for her and connected her with the assistance she needed. For Hayley, HAND UP also signifies our community’s willingness and ability to support each other to achieve better Mental Health. 

Meet the artist

A young & proud Palawa woman, Hayley Newton-Burnie’s artwork was selected to represent the HAND UP campaign. Her artwork, titled ‘HAND UP’ signifies her own journey of putting her hand up and asking for help from her community. HAND UP signifies that there is strength in asking for assistance when dealing with your own Mental Health issues. She recalls this was hard at the time but allowed for aspects of her life to improve for her and connected her with the assistance she needed. For Hayley, HAND UP also signifies our community’s willingness and ability to support each other to achieve better Mental Health. 

Watch the HAND UP Theme song here

Mental health resources

If your life is in danger, please contact 000 immediately.


If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried and/or are seeking mental health information/advice, the below organisations can assist.

13yarn.org.au

27/7 crisis support hotline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Call 13 92 76

wellmob.org.au

Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

vaccho.org.au

Representative for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.

beyondblue.org.au

Information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia.

blackdoginstitute.org.au

Medical Research focused on the early detection, prevention and treatment of common mental health disorders

lifeline.org.au

27/7 crisis support hotline for all Australians. Call 13 11 14

Behind the scenes

Below are some sneak peaks at the recording and filming of the HAND UP theme song. More exciting updates to come!!!

Community Yarning

Photo By: John Doe
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Demi recording

Photo By: John Doe
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HAND UP

Photo By: John Doe
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Aunty Jenny theme song

Photo by: John Doe
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Community putting their HAND UP

We acknowledge the traditional lands of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk people and pay respect to their elders; both past, present and emerging.