Chamberlain spoke to an audience of more than 200 people at the Moama Bowling Club on Thursday night during an event organised by Echuca Football Netball Club’s health and wellbeing committee.
A veteran of more than 300 games as an AFL umpire, Chamberlain spoke about the importance of mental health and shared stories from his experiences with the Chamberlain Foundation — a charity he and his brothers Brian and Peter founded after losing a close friend to suicide in 2015.
The Chamberlain Foundation is a suicide prevention and mental health charity that supports services that help those at risk of suicide.
Throughout the night Chamberlain not only shared stories from his AFL experiences, but also told the crowd about his attitude towards mental health.
He spoke of the impact of positivity, embracing being unique, connecting with those around you and not staying bound by self-imposed constraints.
Chamberlain grew up in Tuggeranong in the ACT and said being in Echuca-Moama reminded him of when he was younger.
“It reminds me a lot about growing up as a kid,” Chamberlain said.
“Where I grew up in Tuggeranong with the local football and cricket club are some of the happiest memories of my life.”
“I still remember games and grand finals and events we had at the club and my friends, and I know how important they were in helping me get through my adolescence.
“It is awesome to meet the young people here and hear their questions and hear what they are doing and try to achieve.
“I think a lot of the time we listen with the intention to respond, and one of the things I have challenged myself to do as an adult is to listen with the intention to hear a person.
“It has been really cool to hear some of those stories tonight.”
Arguably one of the best known umpires ever to blow a whistle, Razor Ray has become a household name among footy fans — something that he said had helped him to share his message on the importance of mental health.
“By being involved with the AFL it gives you a platform and to be able to utilise that for something that is positive for others is my favourite thing,” he said.
“You meet so many wonderful people. In the seven years we have been running the foundation, the people who have come into my life is incredible.
“It’s better than umpiring 100 games or doing a grand final — this is purposeful, meaningful and really fun.“
Speaking after the event, Chamberlain said there were two main things he hoped those in attendance would take away from the night.
“The first is how can I be kinder to myself. Self-care is not selfish — how can I be kinder to myself and look after myself?,” he said.
“The second thing is how can I be a better person with others — the people I care about in my life, the people in my community, my neighbour, the person at the café — those things when we do them have such a profound impact on our communities.”
The Chamberlain Foundation holds fundraising events each year that aim to challenge participants both mentally and physically, such as the Razor Ride — a a five-day endurance bike ride through Victoria, NSW and the ACT — and the Chambo Challenge —a task that aims to put participant’s mental and physical limits to the test against a significant challenge like a hike.
Chamberlain said his work with the foundation had helped give him a positive outlook on people.
“It reinforces that people are great,” he said.
“I honestly believe that people are fundamentally kind and overwhelmingly good, and it is great to see that.”
