A night of comedy, community spirit and fundraising for

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse

Give It A Crack is an inspiring event where every day people take to the stage to try their hand at performing in front of a live audience – the night will raise funds for holistic care at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and try to prevent mental illness.

Give It A Crack was born in 2013 by resilience speaker Barnaby Howarth, a former Sydney Swan, diabetic, stroke survivor and young widower.

Barnaby was inspired by how beautifully his late wife, Angela, was cared for at Lifehouse and is dedicated to helping support the critical care it provides.

All proceeds from the event will go towards holistic care services at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

“Giving life the best crack you can, whether you win, lose or draw, should be something to be proud of…and at Give it a Crack, it will be,” Barnaby said.

“There’s no scoring, judging or prizes…just people stepping out of their comfort zone and trying something new, in a room filled with good people. All while raising funds for such an important place – Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.”

This year’s event will be hosted by comedian Rebecca DeUnamuno. Chris and Gail O’Brien’s daughter, Juliette, will be the headline performer along with comedian Bec Melrose. Other performers include mental health advocates, youth leadership experts and Barnaby’s dad Ross Howarth.

There will be an auction on the night conducted by Scott Gibbons OAM with a handful of money can’t buy items that have been generously donated and total nearly $30,000.

Patients at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse have a range of holistic health services available to them, from diagnosis through to treatment and recovery. These services are aimed at all aspects of both a patient’s physical and mental health, supporting better outcomes for patients and their families.

“It is a privilege to support a cancer hospital that offers so many people a beacon of light in an otherwise dark journey,” he said.

“People are strong. Everyday we are reminded that we are weak, vulnerable and underperforming. But at Give It A Crack, people will see that sometimes we just underestimate how strong we are.”

Barnaby is the first to admit he’s not a mental health expert, but he will try and help prevent mental illness by reminding people that all the strength they need to deal with their challenges is inside them.

Give It A Crack will be held at The Castlereagh by Fassnidge in Sydney’s CBD and is brought to you by Barnaby’s Everyday Greatness podcast whose guests have included 2014 Australian of the Year Adam Goodes, ABC Journalist Tracey Homes and Nova 96.9 breakfast host Ryan Fitzgerald.

Event details
Time: 6:30pm
Date: Thursday 13 July 2023
Location: The Castlereagh by Fassnidge – 199 Castlereagh Street Sydney 2000
Tickets: Tickets available from Humaniix or through Facebook at: “Give It A Crack – a fundraiser for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse”.

Give It A Crack performers
Rebecca DeUnamuno: MC
Bec Melrose: stand-up comedy
Juliette Obrien: stand-up comedy
Fraser Lane: founder–Project Hand – Singing and telling his mental health struggle story
Ben Jepsen: psychologist and Mitchell Youth Leadership forum leader – Keyboard
Eugene Cheong: founder – Chemism (Group helping find self-employment for people with disability) – guitar
Ross Howarth: Barnaby's dad – stand-up comedy
Dash Richardson: Barnaby's mate's 10-year-old son – "Cyber flow" (stick juggling)