Nic Newling, who has lived through the experience of suffering with a mood disorder throughout high school and losing his brother to suicide, will speak at the Resilience Festival, which will feature everything from music to martial arts to mental health information.

“It’s something I do talk about quite a lot and it’s really recounting my time growing up with experiencing losing my brother to suicide and going through my own battles,” Mr Newling said. 

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Mr Newling is known for speaking at high schools, workplaces, universities and with medical professionals.

He will be speaking at the festival from 3.30pm until 4pm. 

Resilience Festival organiser Greg McManus said ticket sales had been exceeding expectations. 

Around 70 per cent of tickets have been bought from out of town – including in Bathurst and from as far away as Melbourne. 

“This is great for Lithgow as it means accommodation, restaurants, clubs and the town can benefit from the tourism,” Mr McManus said. 

There will be demonstrations on the day by Vanguard Fitness, Trace of Magic, Haktari Taekwondo Academy and Kumiai-Ryu Martial Arts, as well as activities for kids. 

The bigger bands will perform from 4pm onwards, but Mr McManus wanted to warn parents that excessive language may be used. 

“We have tried to capture everything - a music festival, mental health conference and a community event all in one,” he said. 

“We probably took on way too much, but it’s all coming together now.” 

Tickets will be offered at the gate, including family passes, adult and kids tickets. Festival goers will receive a wrist band to come and go throughout the day.

Gates will open at 10am.