Published on Thursday, 16 October 2014 at 12:00:00 AM
As part of Mental Health Week (6-12 October), the locals in Pannawonica put on their happy faces and created an amazing Happy Panna video. The whole town was involved in the making of the video, which the Shire of Ashburton helped facilitate.
Pannawonica now joins an international movement making videos to the sounds of Pharrell Williams' song ‘Happy’. The Happy Panna video was one of the highlights of Mental Health Week and showcases the town’s great community spirit as well as some of the activities that people can be involved in, which in turn, help boost personal wellbeing.
Watch the "Happy Panna" video
The video is just one of the activities facilitated by the Shire of Ashburton and Pannawonica residents for Mental Health Week.
A team of 15 knitters put their knitting and crocheting skills to good use, along with a number of enthusiastic school children, to create a colourful Wellbeing Wood. ‘Yarn Bombing’ of trees throughout the town helped bring out the true colours of Pannawonica and created a community focal point of celebration and togetherness. These colourful yarn creations were combined with messages of hope and wellness, reinforcing happiness and mental wellbeing within the community.
Shire President Kerry White praises Pannawonica’s approach to mental health and to the overall wellbeing of the entire community. “A range of events were hosted throughout Mental Health Week to reinforce the connections between a healthy body and a healthy mind, as well as emphasise the positive effects on mental health that are generated through being part of your local community,” said Cr White. “Pannawonica have shown us that living within a remote town can be an enriched lifestyle of fun, happiness and great community spirit.”
During the week Pannawonica Men’s Shed hosted an evening of pizza, camaraderie and an informative presentation on men’s health. Local teenagers embarked on a program of ‘random acts of kindness,’ offering a helping hand to neighbours, children and local groups. Adults were given the opportunity to learn some new moves by participating in a dance workshop, and the Pannawonica Book Club hosted a discussion on feel good books and movies.
Pannawonica may only be a small town with just over 700 residents, but its community spirit is enormous!
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