headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation has today announced the appointment of Robbie Sefton as a new Board Member.
Ms Sefton brings with her a clear vision for rural and regional Australia to be a vibrant, prosperous and dynamic place for people to create and work – a crucial element for headspace, ensuring all young people – regardless of location – get the help they need.
Ms Sefton, along with her husband, Alistair Yencken are wool, meat and grain farmers and Ms Sefton is also the managing director of Seftons, a national rural, regional and agribusiness strategic communications company based in Tamworth, NSW.
Ms Sefton was named Westpac Australian Financial Review Woman of Influence, Agrifutures Australia NSW Rural Woman of the Year and is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, where she sat as board member for six years.
She was and is a member of boards and advisory groups for governments, businesses and not-for-profits, and has been a member on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Small Business Finance Panel. Ms Sefton has represented Australian rural women in Australian and international forums and is currently one of six people nationwide who last year examined telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia.
headspace Board Chair Lisa Paul AO PSM is thrilled to welcome Ms Sefton to the Board.
“Robbie will be a wonderful addition to the headspace Board. Robbie’s credentials speak for themselves and with incredible insight when it comes to matters affecting young people and families in rural and remote parts of Australia, we’re delighted to have her unique contribution.” Ms Paul said.
Ms Sefton is proud to be joining the Board for headspace and offering her expertise to ensure headspace continues to be strengthened in rural and remote parts of the country.
“It’s an honour to be joining the headspace Board, representing an organisation that offer such a critical service to communities right across Australia.
“We know that each year, one in four young Australians experience a mental health issue so it’s incredibly important that anyone going through a tough time can access mental health services and get support.
“We also know that young people living regional or remote locations in Australia face greater challenges when it comes to accessing health support than those living in cities, making it harder for them to maintain their overall wellbeing.
“With many young people and communities now also dealing with the impacts of natural disasters such as droughts, floods and bushfires – it’s even more pertinent to ensure there’s support available for those who need it.
“I’m really looking forward to working with headspace CEO, Jason Trethowan and my fellow Board Members to offer insights into how we can continue to support these communities and strengthen the headspace presence in regional and remote areas,” Ms Sefton said.
Since April 2019, Robbie has chaired the independent panel for an important social and economic assessment of the Murray-Darling Basin. The Panel looks at the underlying causes of the social and economic conditions across the Basin as communities deal with issues such as drought, demographic change, commodity price changes and the biggest water reform in Australia’s history.
Ms Sefton formally commenced the role in November at the headspace Annual General Meeting.
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