
Our difference
We can’t change what we don’t understand.
The underfunding of mental illness research over the past 50 years means that disorder diagnosis and subsequent treatment options lacks precision. Too many people lack the answers they need. We need to change this.
We are on a mission to cure mental illnesses by funding ground breaking discovery research into the causes of mental disorders. The more research we fund, the better chance we have to improve diagnosis, personalise treatments options and hopefully one day even cure mental illnesses.

How we started











2001
It started with one. It will end with none.
On New Year’s Day 2001, a creative, intelligent young man named Matt Wardlaw succumbed to mental illness. The pain of his illness had become so intolerable he was driven to take his own life. Matt’s tragic yet all too common story inspired a group of his friends and family to come together and address one of Australia’s biggest health issues – mental illness.
2003
One in Five launched
Matt Wardlaw's family & friends start One in Five with the vision to tackle this major health issue and turn One in Five into None in Five.
2004
Partnership with Prof Suresh Sundram
The Wardlaw's were introduced to Prof Suresh Sundram, an up and coming Psychiatrist and leader in Mental Health Research. This
clandestined meeting started a life long partnership in research which has lead to a number of significant scientific breakthroughs in schizophrenia and complex mental disorders.
Prof Sundram is Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Prof Suresh Sundram heads the Translational Molecular Psychiatry and the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Mental Health research.
Prof Suresh Sundram
2005
The Extreme Challengers
For people living with mental distress, their thoughts and emotions can be quite extreme at times. This lead to the create of Extreme fundraising eg. Extreme Hats, Extreme Shoes, and Extremely Long lunches!
An intrepid group of individuals decided to take this one step further, they created the Extreme Challenge. Initially tackling the Kokoda Trail for over 10 years this incredible team of volunteers challenged themselves to cross country triatholons, marathons and more recently ultra-marathons at the Surf Coast Century. Collectively they raised over $500,00.
If you would like to set your own challenge - let us know.
Fundraise for One in Five
2006
The Bolt Blowers Invitational
From little things, big things grow.
In 2006 a small group of friends got together to surf and raise awareness for mental health, today this even has grown to be the 2nd largest Surf Comp Event in Australia.
Through out their journey, they have provided a much needed helping hand to One in Five through their donations, networks and support.
2013
Scientific breakthroughs
Research takes time, but in 2013 our fabulous researchers began making great stride forward. Genetic influencers now confirmed as a key risk indicator.
2016
One in Five a tax deductible charity
A major milestone. After 13 years, One in Five is now able to offer tax deductible receipts for donors.
2020
HOPE Launched
March 2020 was the start of COVID lockdowns. In response to not being able to host any face to face events, One in Five launched our inaugural campaign of HOPE.
100% of profits raised from this campaign has been donated to medical research
2020
A/Prof Rachel Hill funded
With COVID everpresent, A/Professor Rachel Hill wanted to understand if the COVID virus would impact neonatal brain development in pregnant mothers.
One in Five funded this very innovative piece of research and is already uncovering links between viral infection and brain development. Today, we have over 80 mothers and babies in this project.
2021
Launched - McIver/One in Five Research Fellowship
We were honoured to announce our inaugural McIver/One in Five senior research fellowship's recipient - A/Professor Jess Nithiantharajah, Head of Synapse Biology and Cognation Laboratory at The Florey
2022
Women's Mental Health Lunch
Women are twice as likely than men to experience a mental disorder and are three times more likely to be admitted to hospital due to mental distress or self harm.
And, post the pandemic evidence has proven that the mental health impacts on Women (particularly younger women) was more significant than on any other group of individuals. We decided it was time to give these women a voice. In June we hosted our inaugural Women's Mental Health lunch.
Our One in Fivers

The Wardlaw - Founders
Liz and Andy Wardlaw founded One in Five after their son, Matt "Mouse", died by sucide on New Years Day 2001.
This tragedy turned into a 20+ year journey to raise awareness of the critical need for better funding for medical research in order to turn One in Five into None in Five.

Tamsin Ashdown - CEO
Tamsin is a senior leader who brings multinational experience in FMCG, Retail, executive recruitment, education and not for profit sectors.
She is an energised individual whose goal is to amplify our mission in order to increase our impact and help the incredible researchers across the sector find solutions which are so urgently needed.

Bernard Curry - Ambassador
Bernard, a close friend of Mouse's and the Wardlaw family, has supported One in Five for the past 20 years.
As his profile as grown, he has used this opporutnity to help continue to raise awareness for the urgent need to fund medical research to help cure mental illnesses and change the face of mental illness.

Nick Bracks
Nick Bracks joined the team in 2019 when we launched our first television campaign - Turn One in Five into None in Five.
A true mental health warrior, Nick uses his lived experience to help others understand how to improve their mental health and wellbeing. His business, Move You Mind, shares the same goal as One in Five - to improve the mental health of Australians and help reduce (and hopefully cure) mental disorders.

Matt Hetherington - Ambassador
Matt Hetherington joined the team in 2021 as a newest ambassador.
Not only an award-winning performer, Matt's warmth and geniune humanity make a wonderful addition to our team

Amie Rohan - Hope Ambassador
Amie Rohan has been on her own incredible mental health journey. After the loss of her beautiful baby, Willow, her life change forever.
Today she is an amazing role model and ambassador for mental health and child loss awareness. We are very proud to have her on team HOPE