Former Australian Prime Minister, The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, has been named the new Chair of beyondblue and will take over from The Hon. Jeff Kennett AC, when he hands over the reins at the end of June.

Mr Kennett founded beyondblue in 2000 and has led the organisation with energy and commitment for 17 years as it became a world leader in raising awareness of depression, anxiety and suicide prevention.

beyondblue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

“Outside my family, it has been my most important role,” Mr Kennett said, adding that “beyondblue is part of my DNA.”

Ms Gillard was elected unanimously by the beyondblue Board of Directors. She is the first former Prime Minister to run a not-for-profit organisation since Malcolm Fraser launched CARE Australia in 1987.

“We have found a person who is emotionally committed to the cause and has the ability to cut through the clutter and drive change for the wellbeing of all Australians,” said the outgoing Chairman of Ms Gillard.

Mr Kennet, former Liberal Premier of Victoria said: “Ms Gillard’s appointment reinforced beyondblue’s fierce bipartisanship.”

“beyondblue’s work is motivated by something bigger than politics; it’s about a bipartisan commitment to enhancing the welfare of others, and that is an extraordinarily powerful force,” he said.

The former Labour Prime Minister said, “My father was a psychiatric nurse, so I grew up with an awareness of and commitment to mental health causes.”

“I’m absolutely delighted that Jeff and the Board have the confidence in me to take over as Chair of an organisation that has made such a difference in the lives of so many Australians, but there is only ever going to be one founder, and without Jeff Kennett there would not be a beyondblue at all,” said Ms Gillard.

beyondblue Support Service: 1300 22 4636

Published by Divorce Resource