Vale Jeff Cheverton

Vale Jeff Cheverton

Dear friends of Mental Health Australia

It is with the deepest of sadness I write to acknowledge we lost a dear friend of Mental Health Australia last week.

Some will already be aware Jeff Cheverton passed away suddenly last week, leaving behind his beloved partner Rod, and saddened family, friends and work colleagues across the country.

Jeff was a former Board member and Deputy Chair of the then Mental Health Council of Australia, and was on the Board at the time I was appointed. Jeff was well known and loved by many of our current and former Board directors, staff and members.

Jeff had previously been one of the driving forces behind the success of the Brisbane North Medicare Local, now Primary Health Network.  More recently Jeff had moved to Melbourne and was working at the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, and was also an active leader across the network of PHNs across the county.

Jeff was an active and energetic voice for mental health, LGBTIQ rights, and community based primary health care.

More importantly, Jeff was funny, vibrant, mischievous and warm.  His premature loss strikes a blow to the hearts of all those who knew him; many of us are still struggling to believe it is true.

I was lucky enough to have had breakfast with Jeff in Canberra less than two weeks ago, a memory I now treasure. Jeff was full of ideas about the future of primary care and mental health, was loving his new life in Melbourne, and remained enriched and enlivened by his relationship with his beloved partner Rod Goodbun.

I am sure I speak with many others when I offer Rod and the rest of Jeff’s family our deepest sympathies on this dreadful loss.

Rod has asked that we all spread the word regarding events to celebrate Jeff’s life:

There will be a viewing at the Lonergan and Raven Clifton Hill Funeral home, 187 Queens Parade on Saturday 11th March 2017, 2-4pm.

The funeral service will be in Melbourne on Sunday 12th March 2017, at Footscray Community Arts Centre, 45 Moreland St, Footscray from 11-1pm with a wake to follow at our friend’s house in Newport on Sunday arvo.

Then on Saturday 18th March 2017, there will be a memorial event at Orleigh Park, Orleigh Street in West End from 3pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend any or all of these events.

I am also aware that a fundraiser is underway for those who may wish to contribute to Jeff’s funeral costs.  Details are available here: https://www.gofundme.com/jeffcheverton

I am so sorry to be the bearer of such sad news.

I will have more to say in my update later in the week.

Warm regards 
Frank
 

 

 

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