Home in Queanbeyan is on track to open on July 1, 2010.

Home manager Anne Pratt has already prepared for a huge opening with former Governor General, and Home patron, Sir William Deane doing the official honours, and Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGauran has been invited to speak.

“At the moment we've set an opening date for Home, which will be the first of July,” she said.

“We've still got referrals coming in from potential residents and we're working on that with the tenancy committee.

“It's very busy, everything is on track.

“Sir William Deane will open Home and Professor Patrick McGauran, who was the Australian of the Year, will give a talk on that day.”

Before the opening however, Ms Pratt said Home would host a number of fundraisers in Queanbeyan.

The first will be a presentation of the Academy Award nominated Swedish film, As it is in Heaven, at The Q.

The event, scheduled for April 9, will incorporate an auction for a corporate box at an Andre Rieu Concert and a half day Audi Driving course. Two gold diamond Citizen watches valued at around $700 each will also go off in a raffle on the night.

Tickets to the event include a pre-movie drinks, hot food, entry to the movie and post movie drinks and light snacks.

“The movie supper night is Home's fundraiser,” Ms Pratt said.

“One big thing about Home is the awareness side of mental illness.

“Hopefully by speaking out and having our fundraisers in Queanbeyan we can start getting rid of that fear and stigma that surrounds mental illness.”

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