Category: Education, Science & Technology
Recipient: Philip Robertson
Background
Phil Robertson has been an outstanding volunteer for Mental Illness Education ACT's (MIEACT) Education Program since 2006. Suffering from mental illness himself, he brings his experience to assist young people in schools and the wider community. He contributes a great deal of time to the organisation to bring stories of mental illness to a broad audience via presentations, the radio and the web.
Scope of Work
Phil has taken on three main roles at MIEACT: Volunteer Educator for school presentations; Volunteer Educator for community presentations offered to adults; and Mentor for newly trained volunteers. Phil also makes a major contribution to MIEACT's half-hour radio program "Open Minds", and edits and prepares the show for uploading to the website. Phil's experience and dedication are invaluable in the training of new volunteers.
Impact on the Community
Phil has had a profound effect on his fellow volunteers and those to whom he presents. His frank and open approach to discussing his own experience encourages sufferers of mental illness to recognise their situation and seek help, while providing others in the community with the knowledge and understanding needed to provide support. His nomination form includes a testimonial from a fellow volunteer, who stresses the positive effect he had on her during a school presentation.
Time Dedicated
Phil presents two to four sessions per week, each of which involves preparation time and travel. In addition, he attends MIEACT training on a regular basis to improve his skills as an educator, allocates significant time to mentoring, and devotes numerous hours to delivering the radio show and editing it for uploading to the website.
Effort Required
Although advised by several doctors that he would not work again, Phil has found a way to contribute to the community through MIEACT. He does an excellent job of helping others, despite the daily challenge of his own mental illness. Phil has been a long-term volunteer in a particularly difficult area, finding success through patience, respect, acceptance and an ability to support other people in an effective, affirming manner.