Northern Beaches Council named Avalon local Paris Jeffcoat as its “Young Citizen of the Year” during Australia Day. She was one of 18 other individuals honoured and celebrated at this special event last January 2019.
Ms Jeffcoat was recognised for establishing One Eighty Avalon Inc., a non-profit youth suicide prevention organisation. Bothered by at least three incidents of suicide among the people she knew, Ms Jeffcoat created the charity to push for the improvement of mental health awareness and services in the Northern Beaches.
Two years after setting up One Eighty with her friend and fellow Avalon resident Leanne Westlake, Ms Jeffcoat and her group were able to establish training, workshops, events and counselling programs in Avalon and nearby suburbs.
One Eighty works other advocacy groups such as the Avalon Youth Hub, Lifeline and Gotcha4Life in carrying out their programs. Ms Jeffcoat was also able to tap the help of the Council, Northern Sydney Health and concerned non-profit organisations connected to mental health support.
“The lacking visibility and accessibility of youth mental health services in our area, the anger at losing too many friends to mental illness, and the poor representation of young people in the development and implementation of mental health care services were factors,” Ms Jeffcoat said of her motivation in a press release.
“One Eighty is youth mental health done differently. We’re approaching the issue from a young person’s perspective, which is really unique, and that allows us to best engage with the people we are trying to help.”
NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes also acknowledged the contribution of One Eighty to the Northern Beaches community. He commended the group for its objectives, passion and enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, the other individuals named for the invaluable contributions to Northen Beaches included Graham Whittaker (Narraweena), a juvenile custody mentor, as Citizen of the Year; Maureen Rutlidge (Elanora Heights), an adults with special needs mentor, as Senior Citizen of the Year; and Reece Hodge as Sportsperson of the Year.
Fifteen residents, on the other hand, were also awarded the Outstanding Service Awards:
- Allambie Heights – Geoff McKay
- Belrose – Ralph Schubert
- Collaroy – James Cowan
- Collaroy Plateau – Joan Reid
- Collaroy Plateau – Rowena Graham
- Elanora Heights – Helen Hines
- Elvina Bay – Mick Miller
- Fairlight – Harriet Spark
- Forestville – Peter Watson
- Frenchs Forest – Peter Dean
- Manly – Diana Aitken
- Manly – Eli Demeny
- Manly – Helen Pook
- Manly – Robert Owen Carlon
- Warriewood – Vivian Dunstan