Flourish Australia marked 70 years of standing alongside people to live ordinary, extraordinary lives at a special anniversary celebration held at Admiralty House in Sydney on 20 October 2026.
The occasion brought together people with lived and living experience, community and government leaders, mental health sector colleagues, researchers, corporate partners, supporters and advocates to honour seven decades of shared commitment, courage and possibility.
Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, National Patron of Flourish Australia, graciously hosted the celebration, making it a cherished moment in the organisation’s 70-year history.
Flourish Australia extends its warm appreciation to the Governor-General for her patronage and to everyone who joined the celebration. The organisation also acknowledges the many individuals, families, communities and partners whose belief, generosity and support have shaped its work across seven decades.
For 70 years, Flourish Australia has worked alongside people in their communities, supporting recovery, wellbeing and the freedom to pursue their hopes and aspirations. Today, around 900 team members support approximately 10,000 people across about 60 communities—helping people to make a home, find and keep a job, improve their health and wellbeing, and connect with others.
The anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on Flourish Australia’s history and to recognise the people who have made that history possible: people with lived and living experience, families and carers, team members, government and community partners, First Nations communities, sector colleagues, researchers, universities, corporate supporters, donors and advocates.
At the heart of Flourish Australia’s work is a simple and enduring belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to flourish.
A safe home, meaningful work, good health, connection and a sense of belonging are fundamental to a flourishing life. Flourish Australia remains committed to challenging stigma and discrimination so that a mental health issue never defines a person or limits their opportunities, aspirations or place in community life.
As Flourish Australia looks to the future, it will continue to strengthen lived experience leadership, nurture genuine partnerships and respond to emerging needs—creating more opportunities for people to live connected, self-directed and fulfilling lives in their communities.
This 70-year milestone honours a proud history, but above all it honours the people, communities and partnerships at the heart of Flourish Australia—and the shared hope and commitment that will carry its work forward.
