The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health

11/10/2026

Every year we offer complimentary seats to bereaved Indigenous family impacted by su***de and Indigenous frontline mental health workers from Not for Profit Indigenous Organisations to attend The Westerman Jilya Institute Indigenous Child Su***de Prevention Fundraising Gala - free of charge!

Over the past 5 years, hundreds of have been welcomed at our table.

It is our way of recognising the vital work you do, the people who work with families and communities, the people who hold them at the worst time in their lives. We see you, we appreciate you and we want you to continue to walk alongside us.

If you, or someone you know, would like to come along please get in touch with us at The Westerman Jilya Institute.
Email [email protected]

WHY THIS GALA MATTERS
The Gala will raise funds for the Indigenous Psychology Treatment services to Indigenous people in need.

07/10/2026

01/10/2026

29/09/2026

WE’VE GOT THREE WEEKS — AND WE NEED A DJ
Are you an Indigenous DJ — or know someone who is?
With just three weeks to go until the inaugural Westerman Jilya Institute Indigenous Child Su***de Prevention Fundraising Gala in Sydney, we’re calling on an Indigenous DJ to help make this very special night happen.
We’re looking for people who can donate or provide their services in-kind, helping ensure every possible dollar raised goes towards funding the Indigenous Psychology Treatment Centre.
And what a night it’s shaping up to be. With over 550 seats confirmed you will be able to showcase your incredible skills to a large audience!
Peter Garrett and Martin Rotsey from Midnight Oil will perform a special acoustic set of some of their biggest hits, while Wiradjuri musician John Grant (Blanche) will perform his unique style of independent music.
Jilya Patron Narelda Jacobs OAM, will be our MC & Jilya founder, and Nyamal woman Dr Tracy Westerman AM will deliver the keynote address.
The evening will also celebrate students in the Dr Tracy Westerman Indigenous Psychology Scholarship Program, announce the 2026 intake and honour families impacted by child su***de. Every $10,000 raised is estimated to fund 40 hours of complex clinical therapy for an at-risk Aboriginal person — evidence-based, culturally informed treatment delivered by an Aboriginal psychologist, at no cost to the person who needs it.

So, if you’re an Indigenous DJ — or know someone who could help — we want to hear from you.
[email protected]

27/09/2026

We want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to one of our incredible sponsors - The Sebastian Foundation - for supporting the Indigenous Psychology Treatment Centre.

Your generosity is about so much more than supporting an event.

It is about showing up for Indigenous communities, investing in the future of Indigenous psychologists, and helping us build a future where Indigenous people can access culturally safe mental health support.

Every dollar, every conversation and every commitment helps us keep moving towards our goal of a Indigenous Psychology Treatment Centre

We are incredibly grateful to have you standing beside us.

We couldn't do this without you.

25/09/2026

This year the Westerman Jilya Institute Indigenous Child Su***de Prevention Fundraising Gala is being held in Sydney for the first time.

This doesn't happen without support.

We are honoured to announce that proud Wiradjuri woman Yvonne Weldon AM will deliver a special Acknowledgement of Country.

Yvonne is the first Aboriginal councillor in the City of Sydney’s 180-year history. Born and raised in inner Sydney, she maintains strong ties to her Wiradjuri homelands of Cowra and the Riverina, and follows a proud family tradition of activists and change-makers.

Before her election, Yvonne held senior positions across NSW Government, non-government and Aboriginal controlled organisations, working in health, human services, child protection and housing. She has served as elected Chair of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Chair of the NSW Australia Day Council and as a board member of Domestic Violence NSW.

In 2022, she was named NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the Aboriginal community. Her debut novel, Sixty-Seven Days, was published the same year, being shortlisted for the David Unaipon Award at the 2016 Queensland Literary Awards.

On Council, Yvonne is a fearless independent voice for First Nations recognition, affordable housing, small business and the communities too often left out of the conversation.

We are honoured that Yvonne has lent her support to the Westerman Jilya Institute and will be a part of the Gala night.

24/09/2026

Have you or your family been impacted by child su***de?
Please accept this invitation to attend the Westerman Jilya Institute Indigenous Child Su***de Prevention Fundraising Gala — which is being held for the first time in Sydney.
Over the past five years, more than 400 hundred bereaved family members have been welcomed at our table.

It is our way of holding those most affected with care, placing families who have experienced tragic loss at the very heart of the event and honouring their experiences, strength and resilience.

It is also our way of recognising you. We see you, we appreciate you and we want you to continue to walk alongside us.

Seats are EXTREMELY LIMITED and reserved specifically for Indigenous bereaved family members impacted by su***de.

We apologise that we cannot always fit everyone in. However seats will continue to become available as our fundraising continues.

Currently we have 140 seats available from our Pay It Forward campaign continues to cover the cost of these seats.

If you, or someone you know, would like to come along please get in touch with us at The Westerman Jilya Institute. Please email us and let us know why attending this event means so much to you!

Contact: [email protected]

You can also pay it forward by donating towards the cost of a seat for a bereaved family member.

Every contribution, no matter how small, can help make a difference.

The evening will celebrate the achievements of students in the Dr Tracy Westerman Indigenous Psychology Scholarship Program, announce the 2026 Intake, and raise vital funds for the Indigenous Psychology Treatment Centre.

Gala tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/jilyagala2026/tickets

Come and sit at our table.

23/09/2026

OUR MEN. OUR LEADERS. OUR LEGACY.
Meet James Boyd, who has connections to Kunja and Muruwari people and Kooma Nation; Jye Uren, a Worimi and Dunghutti man who holds lineage to Biripi and Yorta Yorta Country; and Kallum Goolagong, a Wiradjuri and Darkinjung man. They are dancers with the Bangarra Dance Theatre, one of Australia's leading performing arts companies for over 37 years.

Bangarra Dance Theatre has a long history of sharing culture and storytelling through the incredible talent of their performers, and the creation of powerful works of theatre that honour the stories of First Nations communities across the country.

James Boyd says that its his father and his uncles and cultural leaders who have helped shaped his life as an Indigenous man.

Jye Uren says we need more Indigenous men in psychology, "I think its important that we have space to talk about our societal issues as Indigenous men".

Kallum Goolagong encourages more indigenous men to consider psychology, he said "if you are a young indigenous man wondering if you belong in psychology, you belong and your community needs you".

Join us on 23 October 2026 at the Fullerton Hotel Sydney for the Westerman Jilya Institute Indigenous Child Su***de Prevention Fundraising Gala, raising vital funds for the Indigenous Mental Health Treatment Centre.

A special invitation to Indigenous bereaved families:🤝If you have lost a loved one to su***de, you are invited to attend the Gala free of charge. Come together with community, honour those we have lost, and be part of building a stronger, culturally safe future for Indigenous mental health.

To those who work with bereaved families, our front line workers, you are also invited to attend the Gala free of charge.

Support the Gala: Purchase a ticket, sponsor a table, donate a table, or make a contribution towards the Indigenous Mental Health Treatment Centre.
https://events.humanitix.com/jilyagala2026/tickets

Together, we can honour our past, support our families and create change for generations to come.

22/09/2026

We're excited to announce Wiradjuri musician John Grant, also known as John James, will join Midnight Oil legends Peter Garrett and Martin Rotsey for the 2026 Westerman Jilya Institute Indigenous Child Su***de Prevention Fundraising Gala in Sydney.

The event will bring together some of Australia’s leading Indigenous voices and advocates to raise vital funds for an Indigenous Psychology Treatment Centre — while honouring the strength and resilience of families impacted by child su***de.

Sydney-based musician John Grant is a self-produced Indigenous artist whose music spans alternative rock, acoustic, psychedelic and R&B influences. His work draws on both his cultural heritage and contemporary musical influences.

He said, "Being a part of an event that supports indigenous Australian children's mental health and su***de prevention is important to me because I believe every young person deserves to feel supported, valued and hopeful about their future. These issues deserve compassion, awareness and ongoing support, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to use my music to contribute to something that can make a positive difference in the lives of young people and their communities".

HOLDING SPACE FOR BEREAVED FAMILIES
In a commitment to families who have experienced the devastating loss of a child to su***de, the Westerman Jilya Institute is offering a limited number of complimentary seats specifically for Indigenous bereaved family members. We want families who have lived through this devastating loss to know that they are not forgotten. This is our way of holding them with care and placing their experiences, strength and resilience at the heart of the evening.

Families wishing to attend are invited to contact the Institute at [email protected] and share why attending the Gala would be meaningful to them.

You can also Pay It Forward by donating towards the cost of a seat for a bereaved family member.

Tickets: $200 per person or $2,000 for a table of ten. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available