Place to Call Home

SCONE businessman Paul Boniface was inspired by the work of the Where There’s A Will Foundation and this week handed them the keys to an office on Kelly Street.

“I’ve seen too many people suffering, too many people taking their lives,” said Mr Boniface.

Where There’s A Will committee: Jaclyn Geerin, Lindy Hunt, Pauline Carrigan, Jane Callinan, Andrea Burns, Pip Baker and Polly Yuille.

“It can be very hard to pick up on depression and then to get people to talk and open up,” he said.

“Where there’s a Will is working hard to change this and I’m really pleased to be able to offer them a base,” he said.

“They’re providing the resources for schools to implement important well-being programmes and they’ve arranged for hundreds of people to complete mental health first aid courses that teach how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental illness and how to help those in need,” Paul Boniface said.

Pauline Carrigan, founder of Where There’s A Will said the space would be the ideal base for the Foundation.

“Up until this point we’ve been meeting around kitchen tables and taking over coffee shops so it’s a huge help to have a central point where we can work, host meetings and store all our gear,” said Ms Carrigan.

“Paul has been a great contributor to the Scone community for many years and we’re very grateful to be the latest recipient of his generosity,” she said.

Jason Brooks, Chairman of the board has stepped down and Jane Callinan has been appointed to the role.

Two new directors, Lindy Hunt and Andrew Parry-Okeden have also joined the board.