Celebrating 25 Years of
Mental Health First Aid
The River Pavilion, South Wharf Victoria
Cocktail/Formal Attire
“We have physical first aid… why not mental health first aid?”
That question sparked a global movement and today, over 8 million people across
35 countries have been trained in Mental Health First Aid. These MHFAiders are
now equipped with the skills and confidence to support those experiencing
mental health problems.
The Inaugural MHFA Gala Dinner will bring together more than 200 leaders, partners, MHFAiders, Instructors and advocates from across the country to celebrate this milestone – and invest in what’s next.
Why attend?
This year, Mental health First Aid International is proud to fundraise for the expansion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid.
For nearly 20 years, these culturally informed and co-designed programs have equipped people with the confidence to support First Nations individuals experiencing mental health problems.
But the need is growing – and we need your help to do more.
All proceeds from the Gala will go directly towards expanding the reach of our
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Instructors and strengthen support
in communities that need it most.
Learn more about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid
is changing lives.
On the night
Set against the stunning backlight skyline of Melbourne CBD, this years Inaugural Gala Dinner will be held at The River Pavilion in South Wharf. Guests will enjoy a two-course sit down dinner where they can connect and celebrate with those that have helped create circles of support across Australia.
Our Master of Ceremonies (MC)
Guiding us through the night is highly respected, award-winning journalist and host of ABC’s Afternoon Briefing and Politics Now, Patricia Karvelas. Patricia’s decades of experience and passion for meaningful conversations set the tone for an evening of celebration.
“This event is a celebration of the impact Australians can have when they are empowered with the knowledge and confidence to support mental health. It’s an honour to be part of a night that celebrates connection, compassion and community.”
— Patricia Karvelas
Read bio
Patricia Karvelas is a prominent, respected and award-winning Australian journalist, television and podcast host and commentator.
Patricia Karvelas is the host of ABC TV News’ Afternoon Briefing current affairs show at 4pm weekdays featuring Australia’s most prominent politicians and thought leaders.
Karvelas is also the host of the ABC’s daily politics and news podcast Politics Now. She is also the co-host of the weekly Party Room podcast with friend and colleague Fran Kelly. Karvelas also reports for 4 Corners’ throughout the year on longer form stories.
Previously she was the presenter at radio national for a decade anchoring RN Drive for seven years and RN Breakfast for 3 years. Karvelaspresented audience based Q+A on Monday nights on ABC TV from 2023 to 2025.
She is a weekly columnist for the ABC News website where she writes on a a range of national and international issues.
She has been a prominent senior journalist in the Australian media for more than 20 years, beginning her professional career in broadcast journalism at the ABC and SBS as both a producer and presenter.
She has also worked for The Australian newspaper covering federal politics in the press gallery for close to a decade, ending her time with the national broadsheet as Victorian Bureau Chief and Editor and Senior National Affairs Journalist. Patricia specialised in Indigenous affairs and social affairs policy reporting for more than 10 years.
In 2023 Patricia was appointed as an Honorary Professor at RMIT’s School of Media and Communication.
Our Speakers
Krystal Seibert
Director and Chair of the Board
Read bio
Krystian Seibert is Chair of Mental Health First Aid International, having served on the Board since 2014.
Krystian has extensive experience shaping the policy and regulatory frameworks for Australia’s not-for-profit sector. As Executive Director – Policy, Government Relations and Research at Philanthropy Australia, he leads the policy advocacy work of Australia’s peak body for philanthropy.
He previously served as an Associate Commissioner at the Productivity Commission, appointed by the Australian Government to jointly lead a wide-ranging inquiry focused on philanthropy. Prior to this, Krystian was an Industry Fellow at the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University of Technology, where he maintains an appointment as an Adjunct Industry Fellow.
In his role as an adviser to a former Assistant Treasurer in the Australian Government, Krystian managed the delivery of major reforms focused on the not-for-profit sector, including the establishment of Australia’s charities regulator, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), and the passage of Australia’s first statutory definition of charity, the Charities Act 2013.
Angus Clelland
CEO of Mental Health First Aid International
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Angus is an experienced CEO with diverse senior executive experience across the federal government, health, family violence, community and disability sectors. His strength lies in using his strong stakeholder and change management skills to bring together diverse and often competing groups within complex organisations and across sectors to achieve better service outcomes.
In his most recent role as CEO of On the Line Australia, the clinical service provider of Mensline, National Suicide Service, and Suicide Line Victoria, Angus initiated and facilitated the merger between the organisation with community crisis support leader Lifeline Australia. He previously served as CEO of sector peak body Mental Health Victoria, where he successfully advocated for a Royal Commission in Victoria’s mental health system that has so far seen $6 billion invested into reform initiatives.
Angus has held numerous governance and advisory roles. He is currently a director of the Mental Health Legal Centre and the Victorian Government Regional Mental Health & Wellbeing Board member. He is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute UK, and Member and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Partner with us
The Inaugural Gala is an exciting opportunity to showcase your brand and demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to the social and emotional wellbeing of
our communities
Promote your brand across high-visibility platforms
Champion First Nations-led mental health training
Each tier provides a range of opportunities to promote, engage and network with the mental health sector. To discuss these sponsorship options please contact our communications team email: communications@mhfa.com.au or phone: (03) 9079 0200
Read more in the sponsorship prospectus below.
Can’t Attend?
Can’t join us in person? You can still support the cause.
Every contribution counts, and can make a significant impact on helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to receive timely, culturally informed support when they need it most.
Donate today or join us through a fundraiser to help grow circles of support around Australia’s First Nations Peoples.
For 25 years, Mental Health First Aid has been creating circles of support around people facing mental health challenges. This year, we’re introducing a dedicated day for our MHFA community to spotlight the global impact, raise awareness of mental health first aid as an essential life skill, and encourage more life-saving conversations.
Join us in celebrating the first-ever MHFA Day, held this year on Tuesday 19 August 2025.
