Matraville Sports High holds mental wellness gala

Just over two months ago Ashley Taylor lost her husband Ricky to suicide. Despite the immediacy of her loss, the Maroubra mother of two has already begun demanding change. Here’s how.

Clockwise from left, Mental Wellness Gala day organiser Ashley Taylor, student Jamie-Lee Rooke, director of sport Andrew Bobadilla, Rise Foundation’s Ben Higgs, student Kyiesha Booth and student Ty Koolis at Matraville Sports High school. Picture: John Appleyard

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Just over two months ago Ashley Taylor lost her husband Ricky to suicide.

Despite the immediacy of her loss, the Maroubra mother of two has already begun campaigning for mental health awareness.

On Friday, together with the Rise Foundation, teacher aide Mrs Taylor and her colleagues at Matraville Sports High School held the first ever Mental Wellness Gala day at the school.

Matraville Sports High schoolteacher aide and Mental Wellness Gala day organiser Ashley Taylor with a photo of her late husband Ricky Taylor. Picture: John Appleyard

She said addressing mental health awareness early was the key.

“I think it’s imperative we do it now while they’re younger,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Mental illness is an epidemic sweeping through our communities and if we can kind of start something school-based I think we can give them foundation skills going forward.”

Rise Foundation founder Ben Higgs enlisted a team of nutritionists, personal trainers and motivational speakers to give masterclasses to the students. They also took part in a tug of war.

Ben Higgs from the Rise Foundation with Matraville Sports High School teacher aide Ashley Taylor and director of sport Andrew Bobadilla at the Mental Wellness Gala day. Picture: John Appleyard

An accountant was also brought in to help with another big mental health trigger — financial stress.

“All these are foundation tools help,” Mrs Taylor said.

When she heard of Mrs Taylor’s proposal to bring the Rise Foundation to the school, Matraville Sports High School principal Nerida Walker decided to turn it into a day-long affair.

Ben Higgs from Rise Foundation, student Jamie-Lee Rooke and organiser Ashley Taylor take on student Kyiesha Booth, director of Sport Andrew Bobadilla and student Ty Koolis in a tug of war. Picture: John Appleyard

“All kids need it and as a school leader I think it’s really important to give the whole day, it just means they can get into it,” Ms Walker said.

Mrs Taylor said she was blown away by Ms Walker’s proposal and the contributions from Rise Foundation.

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“Us being the first school for a full day, maybe we will be able to pave the way.”

She said after her husband, a popular local and an original Bra Boy member, died she had to help.

“ I think it just became a personal mission to find out what more I can do. If I could save even one other life, I know my husband’s death would not have been in vain.”