General News
25 August, 2025
Free movie night for mental health
MENTAL health awareness and general wellbeing in the community will be the focus of a free movie night hosted by Ararat Police as part of R U OK Day on Thursday, September 11.
Now in its fourth year, the movie night at Ararat’s Astor Cinema is an opportunity for people to head out for the night with a friend, relative or colleague and use it an opportunity to check in with them about how things are going in their world.
Doors open at 6:30pm and all three screens will show different movies, with this year’s event featuring F1 starring Brad Pitt, Jurassic World Rebirth starring Scarlett Johansson, and Freakier Friday starting Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan.
Ararat Police Sergeant Shane Allgood said the escalating problem of suicide and mental health issues in the region were the primary reason why he organised the community event.
“We identified an escalating suicide rate, and our members have to attend those scenes which always has a pretty big effect,” said Sergeant Allgood.
“There are protocols to monitor police members’ welfare and in doing that, we’ve realised some members are attending these events five or six times a year which no-one should have to do.”
Sergeant Allgood pointed out that police and the wider Ararat community are affected in the same way when these tragedies occur.
“Obviously, it also has a devastating effect on the community,” he said,
“Suicide rates and mental health is something we’re all dealing with every day of the week.”
Each year, Victoria Police identifies significant days to encourage police members to develop community initiatives around, and for Sergeant Allgood, R U OK Day is something he considers important.
“This is one that resonates a bit with me, so I came up with this concept of hiring out the movie theatre and let people get together and talk to each other,” he said.
The free movie night will also give people access to information and advice regarding wellbeing, with local mental health professionals coming along to make a short presentation.
“On the night we’ll have One Red Tree here delivering a short spiel before the movies, just on your own mental health and looking after yourself, your mates, your family and anyone else,” Sergeant Allgood said.
“I reckon this is the first year we’ve really pushed this event hard because we’re just seeing way too much of it out there.”
Ararat Police are thrilled to have solid support in the community for the event and Sergeant Allgood was full of praise for the key stakeholders who make it all possible.
“Barry and John at the Astor Cinema have been fantastic throughout the four years,” he said “Ararat Rural City Council supplies the funds to hire the theatre, and on top of that we’ve got One Red Tree on board.
“Of course, we’ve got police involvement too, so we’ll have members here on the night handing out free information on looking after each other.”
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