OUR SUPPORTERS
Channel 4 change
Channel 4 Change was established to raise funds to develop and implement youth mental health initiatives in Deniliquin.
The money raised also helps cover the costs associated with delivering mental health resources and awareness of pathways to help.
How Channel 4 Change is supporting local Mental Health​ awareness
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Local teacher Brenda Norman began supporting Deni MHAG through the initiative Channel for Change in 2018 and in the first year raised funds in excess of $40,000. These funds, and funds raised since, have supported the work of Deni MHAG through initiatives and campaigns, including:
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The delivery of 8 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses, including: Youth MHFA; Standard MHFA; Conversations around Suicide; Conversations around Non-Suicidal Self Injury
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School Youth Mental Health Forum hosted by Deniliquin High School (2019)
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New Deni MHAG website,and ongoing updates ,sharing resources to help people find Mental Health support.
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Tuesday Chats – Helping Adults Help Youth – 2019 free face to face interactive sessions with parents
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Mental Health Month Initiatives including annual “Mental Health, It’s not as Scary as you think” event now embedded in all our schools
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#Deni5in5 community wellbeing campaign, which included a digital and print campaign and now embedded in the community through various resources, campaigns and events
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In 2020, amidst Covid , the “You’ve got this Campaign” for year 12 students
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Development of numerous resources to promote helplines (including bouncy balls with Kids Helpline number; Wristbands with Messaging of Asking for Help is OK
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In 2023, Real Life Resilience Roadshow, with Mike Rolls and Ben Pettingill from "Legless and Blind" delivering sessions to over 750 youth.
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Meet Brenda
Not your average PE teacher!
Brenda Norman is the founder of Channel 4 Change.
She is a PDHPE teacher at Deniliquin High School and a passionate advocate of maintaining all forms of health.
Brenda is an accomplished long-distance swimmer and uses her swims to raise funds for youth mental health initiatives and promote the importance of mental health support for young people in regional areas.
What is open water swimming?
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Open water swimming occurs in any body of water that isn’t a pool. This includes oceans,
rivers and lakes.
The challenge of open water swimming is the unpredictable environment. Every swim has
different water currents and temperature, weather, and marine life.
There are strict rules that must be followed when attempting an open water swim; only a
normal swimsuit, cap and goggles can be worn, and the swimmer cannot be touched during
the swim. Solo swimmers must be accompanied by a boat which has an observer onboard
who witnesses the entire swim to ensure all the rules are followed.
Brenda's incredible swimming career
Date | Swims | Distance - kms | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
9-Jul-23 | 20 Bridges | 49 kms | 8:33:50 |
18-Mar-23 | Port to Pub | 25 kms | 7:47:48 |
27-Jan-23 | New Norfolk to Iron Pot Lighthouse | 56 kms | 15:19:00 |
24-Jul-22 | Keppel Island | 19 kms | 5:48:34 |
24-Feb-18 | Rottnest Channel | 20 kms | 6:03:48 |
1-Aug-18 | English Channel | 33 kms | 11:53:00 |
4-Oct-19 | Catalina Channel | 32 kms | 10:36:18 |
9-Jan-21 | Derwent River | 34 kms | 7:04:00 |
28-Feb-21 | Palm Beach to Shelly Beach | 24 kms | 11:17:39 |
20-Mar-21 | Port to Pub | 25 kms | 8:21:33 |
13-Jan-22 | Derwent River | 34 kms | 7:47:00 |
19-Jan-22 | Derwent River (upstream) | 34 kms | 9:26:00 |
30-Jan-22 | Double Derwent River | 68 kms | 19:51:00 |
Click here to see all her swims and times - longswims.com/p/brenda-norman
Notable Achievements
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World Triple Crown (2023) – Awarded for successful completion of English Channel, Catalina Channel and 20 Bridges.
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Australian Triple Crown (2021) – Awarded for successful completion of Derwent River, Port to Pub and Palm Beach to Shelly Beach.
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Australian Grand Slam (2022) – Awarded for successful completion of Rottnest Channel, Palm Beach to Shelly Beach, Derwent River and Keppel Island.
First person to attempt and complete the following swims:
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Derwent River (upstream) (2022)
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Double Derwent River (2022)
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New Norfolk to Iron Pot Lighthouse (2023)
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Port to Pub (2023) – Fastest female
Next Challenge
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Brenda is currently preparing to attempt the North Channel. The North Channel is one of the hardest ocean swims on the planet. It put it into perspective, approximately 2000 people have swum the English Channel but only about 100 have completed the North Channel.
The North Channel is the body of water between Ireland and Scotland which is a distance of 34.5 kilometres. The challenges are cold water, strong ocean currents and jelly fish. Brenda’s swim window is 22-26 September, 2023.