What an incredible and impactful 2023 calendar year our team has had with the community.
As 2023 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the impact we’ve had and the connections we made in the Tasmanian and broader community.
This year we stayed true to our values of showing up, sharing stories, and stopping stigma by collectively connecting with 6,038 attendees across our presentations and programs, starting conversations about mental health with so many Tasmanians in our community of all backgrounds and ages.
An incredible milestone was reached this year too; A decade of impact together with the community. We’ve been showing up for each other, breaking down stigma to promote positive mental health conversations and support seeking, and showing the power of storytelling and reaching over 65,000 Tasmanians in our community!
Stay ChatTY started with a simple, yet significant sticker that sparked a movement within the community. After humble beginnings of an original print run of just 1,000 stickers, our now iconic Stay ChatTY sticker, has had over 90,000 being distributed over the past 10 years with 18,000 stickers from this year alone.
We might be a small team, but we’re mighty travellers! The Stay ChatTY team covered more than 39,570kms this year to deliver no less than 211 sessions; 77 in workplaces and communities, 68 in schools, and 66 in sporting clubs across the state.
The local and broader community rallied behind Shorts Day and the Gala Ball with our team for the biggest year yet for each event. We have been so humbled and grateful for the support and engagement we have received from the Tasmanian and broader community for these events. In 2023, no less than 18,564 individuals from Tasmania and far and wide participated in Shorts Day – that’s more than the entire population of Burnie coming together! We had 674 guests attend our Gala Ball at the Hobart Grand Chancellor, and together raised $131,918.36 to mark our decade of impact and continuing to support our programs, events, and initiatives within the community.
Of course, we can’t forget about the many fundraisers which were organised this year as well! The commitment from individuals and the community, their passion, time dedicated to events, and incredible support are what allows us to continue doing our work, and 54 incredible events were put together in 2023, each sharing stories together and starting conversations. This included the Double Everest challenge, which saw mental health champion and Stay ChatTY ambassador, Ben Hirst, run up and down kunanyi 21 times throughout a very chilly week in July, finishing up marking our exact date of 10 years of impact, and all the incredible ways he has contributed towards Stay ChatTY and positive health advocacy within the community!
After 10 years, we feel like we’ve only just started to scratch the surface. Onwards and upwards for 2024 with plenty of new opportunities for our team to continue our mission alongside the community and share in new connections.
