The Kembla Classic Autumn Carnival has been extended to culminate with The Race Against Suicide on Saturday, 20th June. Enjoy a day of thrilling racing while helping raise awareness and vital funds for mental health and wellbeing initiatives that benefit the Illawarra community.

Local support services will have pop-up marquees on site where racegoers can learn about the resources available, collect information, and chat to representatives about their needs.

They include:

• The Man Walk
• Talke2MeBro
• Lifeline South Coast
• Stride For Better Mental Health
• Racing Mates

There will also be metropolitan and interstate racing on the big screen, food trucks, pop-up bars, a DJ, entertainment, and all the fun things about a day at the races.

Renowned mental health advocate and author Craig Hamilton has been secured as the keynote speaker for The Race Against Suicide Raceday Official Luncheon on Level One. He will be sharing his experience navigating mental illness, which started in 2000 at the height of his sports broadcasting career. On the eve of the Sydney Olympics, which was to be his most significant assignment, he suffered a public breakdown. He spent 12 days in hospital, missed the Olympics, and was diagnosed with depression, bi-polar disorder, and anxiety. From then, Craig made it his life’s work to create awareness and challenge perceptions about people with mental health conditions. He has written two books, had his story turned into a documentary titled The Promise, and travels Australia sharing insights and offering hope to others.

The Race Against Suicide Official Luncheon sold out last year, so to accommodate more guests it has been moved from The A.J. “Bert” Lillye Lounge to Level One which comprises of both The Dining Room and Grandstand Bistro. i98FM’s Bella and Christian will return as hosts.

Tickets are $170 and include:

• Racecourse entry and reserved seating on Level One
• Shared antipasto platters on arrival
• Alternate serve plated main and dessert
• Afternoon tea including party pies and sausage rolls
• 5-hour house beverage package
• Entertainment, raffles, auctions, and giveaways

More than $50,000 was raised by The Race Against Suicide Raceday in 2025 and shared between four local charities – The Man Walk, Lawn Duty (an initiative of His Boy Elroy), Lifeline South Coast, and Talk2MeBro’s Women’s Wellbeing Catch-ups. Financial support was also provided to a young family devastated by suicide.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE NOW