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June O’Connor
June O’Connor was born on 22nd June 1927 in New Zealand. Her parents were both English and when June was 3yrs old, the family returned to the UK where June completed her schooling.
June joined the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Services – British Army) for 18 months when she was 17 years old and at 25yrs, returned to New Zealand where she married and had three children, a girl and two boys.
In her 40s, June returned to the UK to nurse her mother who was very ill, and her brother who had a brain injury. June was pregnant with her fourth child at this time that was subsequently born in England. When June’s youngest child was 6yrs old, she moved the family to Australia to live.
It came as a major shock when June’s third child became ill and was eventually diagnosed with Schizophrenia. He lived at home with June as his carer until he was admitted to Graylands hospital in his late teens. He had several admissions and at age 24, while in the locked ward at Graylands, he committed suicide. After his death, June then became involved with Mental Health Services. Initially June was involved with research and fundraising for the Schizophrenia Foundation and donated her son’s money and belongings to the hospital and the foundation.
In 1979 June completed her mature matriculation, and during the years 82-87, attended the University of WA, studying English and English Literature part time, while continuing to volunteer. June also had an interest in art and became an avid painter/artist.
In her 50’s, June became an ARAFMI volunteer. It was during this time that June decided that the best way to help the carers of people with a mental illness was to provide a suitable drop-in centre for the sufferers, to offer carers respite, also for people with a mental illness to have a place of their own to go to.
ARAFMI moved to Nicholson Rd, Subiaco. June’s role was to offer counselling to carers, was a committee member and then commenced the drop-in centre with premises provided by the Health Department. June started the centre with volunteers in the early 1980’s and the first paid Co-ordinator started in 1989 funding was provided through support from Keith Wilson, the then Minister for Health and currently JOC patron. June lobbied extensively to local politicians, local residents and businesses for donations, also collecting hundreds of signatures of support at local shopping centres’.
The ‘June O’Connor Centre’ became autonomous in 1989 with the name chosen by ARAFMI. June was then offered employment with the Board of Visitors to inspect psychiatric hostels and remained in this role for approximately 2 years. The Board was disbanded and the Government formed the Council of Official Visitors (COV). June continued to work with the COV until she was 70 years old, while she also continued developing the June O’Connor Centre’s.
JOC Centre’s are currently running in Subiaco, Fremantle, Rockingham, Joondalup, Mandurah and Bunbury. Federal funding was won in 2007 for a new program, D2DL which supports people with mental illness by providing activities, groups, education and training. Lotteries WA also generously provided funding to purchase the centre at Rockingham.
June is 82 years old and continues to work hard, previously as Chair, currently as Vice- Chair of JOC Inc and volunteers at the centre’s regularly. She is well loved by members and staff alike and has developed solid relationships with other government and non- government agencies. June also remains involved in other projects and committees from time to time.
When asked what her vision for the future is June replied;