(Community Recognition Statement, 23 February 2017, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

I speak today to acknowledge and thank Douglas Holmes for his many years working to advance the interests of mental health consumers locally, statewide and nationally following his retirement as the St Vincents Hospital Mental Health Service Consumer Participation Coordinator. Many in the inner city – consumers and service providers – will miss Douglas, including my office.

Douglas has personally helped many consumers negotiate their way through mental health services to get the help they need, as well as setting up partnerships and networks to maintain ongoing coordinated responses to people with complex needs. He’s been instrumental in service improvements at many inner city health, welfare and homelessness service providers who work with people with complex needs including mental health concerns.

I am sure that retiring from paid work will not prevent Douglas from contributing to his community and we will continue to see him making sure that more people get on the road to recovery.