Friday 16 May

Location: Mildura Arts Centre Theatre | Sunraysia Community Health Services
Time: 9.30am | 1.30pm
Duration: 120 minutes
Tickets: In Conversation $30 each | OCD Support & Resource Workshop $35 each | Exploring Wellness Bundle $50

Exploring Wellness:

An OCD and Mental Health Event

Proudly brought to you by Northern Mallee Leaders Inc.

Featuring a book signing and live interview

Join us for a heartfelt and powerful community event as part of Exploring Wellness - A community mental health and wellbeing initiative.

This special event features Penny Moodie, author of The Joy Thief, mental health advocate, and co-creator of soocd.com.au, In conversation with her husband, Hugh Van Cuylenburg founder of The Resilience Project and best-selling author of Let Go and The Resilience Project

Penny will be interviewed by Hugh and together they will explore:
  1. Living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  2. Mental health advocacy and resilience
  3. Relationships, recovery, and self-compassion
  4. The role of storytelling and shared experience in healing
Before we dive into a day of powerful conversations around mental health and resilience, join us at 7.30am, for Mindful Morning Meditation and Breathwork with Mental Health Mallee. Start your day grounded, calm, and connected.
 

In Conversation with Penny Moodie author of The Joy Thief - Interviewed by Hugh Van Cuylenburg

Time: 9.30am
Tickets: $30 each


Join us at Mildura Arts Centre for a heartfelt and real conversation about OCD, mental wellbeing, relationships, and recovery featuring Penny Moodie, author and advocate, in a moderated interview led by her husband, Hugh Van Cuylenburg.

The session will be emceed by Kelly Wandel, General Manager of Northern Mallee Leaders, and will include an engaging Q&A with the audience.

Expect an open, honest, and often humorous look at how Penny and Hugh have navigated mental health together, and how storytelling and support can create stronger, more resilient communities.

 

OCD Support & Resource Workshop with Penny Moodie
At Sunraysia Community Health Services

Time: 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Tickets: $35 each (includes afternoon tea) - Limited Spaces.


A smaller, workshop-style event at Sunraysia Community Health Services offering tools, insights and peer-informed support strategies for those living with or supporting someone with OCD.
Ideal for:
  1. Individuals with lived experience of OCD.
  2. Parents, carers, partners.
  3. Teachers, health practitioners, HR leaders, support workers.
Key Focus Areas:
  1. Practical tools for navigating OCD – grounded in real life.
  2. Peer-informed strategies to better understand and support others.
  3. Resource sharing, lived experience insights, and supportive discussion.
  4. Honest, empowering conversations about OCD and recovery.

Exploring Wellness Bundle

Tickets: $50
Allows access to both Exploring Wellness events at a discounted price:
  • In Conversation With Penny Moodie presentation at MAC
  • OCD Support & Resource Workshop at Sunraysia Community Health Services.
Click here to purchase the Exploring Wellness Bundle.
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📚 Book signings will be available on the day,
Pre-order books now to access a limited time 10% off discount,
supported by Collins Booksellers Mildura.
Click here to pre-order your books.


Exploring Wellness brought to you by Northern Mallee Leaders Inc. supporting connection, leadership, and resilience in our region. With thanks to our generous sponsors and local supporters for helping make this event possible.

💡 Why Attend?
  • Because mental health education saves lives.
  • Because the more we understand OCD, the more empowered our communities become.
  • Because storytelling, empathy and education make our communities stronger.
If you have a Companion Card, experience issues with stairs or require a wheelchair space please contact the Box Office on 03 5018 8330 between 10am - 4pm, daily to book your seats.

Customers are advised that prams, strollers, baby capsules and other large items cannot be taken into the theatre. These items can be left safely in the cloak room and collected at the conclusion of your visit. Please talk to MAC staff if you have any concerns.