The funds from Sally's Ride 2009 "Tamar Valley Cycling Challenge" will go directly to Tasmanian projects working towards improving the mental health of the community.

The "Time Out Project" is one of this year's recipients. Funds raised will also be distributed to other mental health resources in need of support as identified by the Rotary Club of Central Launceston.

The Yshareit project

As a result of Sally's efforts and the matching grants made available from Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, Professor Ken Kirkby from the University of Tasmania implemented the "yshareit" project. This project fosters peer networking utilizing internet mental health resources. The research team has conducted youth workshops throughout Tasmania for around 130 youth ambassadors.

The second stage of this project is to complete an evaluation in schools of a "virtual youth ambassador" program using interactive multimedia technology online, jointly funded by Rotary and beyondblue. This targets schools in rural and regional areas. This project aims to foster community engage ment in youth mental health issues, supported by high quality internet resources - harnessing the power of people and accessible resources.

The Rotary funding for Yshareit has been spent entirely in Tasmania. In addition to the money raised directly by Sally's ride, ARHRF has contributed matching funds from donations raised throughout Australia. External funding of yshareit by Beyondblue has contributed a further 100,000 dollars. All of these funds are spent in Tasmania on health research directed at better support and outcomes for those suffering from mental and emotional disorders.