$100,000 grant awarded to the Sebastian Foundation for student mental health program
A night of fine food, wine and festivity marked the official opening of Club Central Hurstville's $80 million expansion and refurbishment last night, highlighted by an exclusive performance by Australian singer, songwriter and producer, Guy Sebastian.
The Gala Affair held at Southern Sydney Event Centre in Club Central Hurstville saw over 300 people gather to celebrate the culmination of a four-year project in what is the Club's 60th year of operation. The project includes complete refurbishment of the Club, a new restaurant, bar and lounge areas, a rooftop restaurant, event centre as well as Hurstville's first hotel, Travelodge Hurstville.
Undoubtedly a highlight was the performance from Guy Sebastian and the announcement of a $100,000 grant from Club Central Hurstville to the Open Parachute mental health program. Open Parachute is supported by the Sebastian Foundation, established in 2013 by Guy and his wife Jules, and provides a comprehensive mental wellbeing support program for school students.
"We are thrilled to celebrate the culmination of many years of work bringing these wonderful new facilities to life in the heart of Hurstville," said ICC Group President, Brian Cloney.
"Our clubs exists because of and for our members and our new partnership with the Sebastian Foundation for the Open Parachute program in local schools demonstrates how we aim to support and give back to the communities we are part of," he said.
Club Central's grant will support the delivery of the Open Parachute program to 3,500 students in the Georges River and surrounding areas. The in-school mental health program uses peer-to-peer methods to teach kids the psychological tools they need to survive and thrive through the challenges of childhood and adolescence.
"The world our kids are growing up in is so different from the one I grew up in and the mental health tools we need to give our kids to help them get through in this world are completely different too," said Guy Sebastian.
"Open Parachute is like a mental coat of armour for our kids, and I'm so happy we are able offer this support to students in the Georges River area. And what better way to say thank you than by performing in this brand new, fantastic space that Club Central Hurstville has created," he said.
ICC Group CEO, Paul Richardson, congratulated all those who contributed to the success of the project.
"Completing a project of this size under normal circumstances is a challenge. Completing it through two years of COVID disruption is a colossal achievement and I am immensely proud to be part of the team that rose to these challenges to deliver a fantastic result."
"The support we have received from our members, suppliers and the community throughout has been unbelievable. We now have a world-class facility here in Hurstville for our members and community to enjoy.
"The continued success of our facilities here in Hurstville and at Menai will ensure our contributions to the community also continue for years to come," he said.
