TWO southern Queensland communities will have an opportunity to learn more about the importance of resilience when rugby league coaching legend Wayne Bennett and ABC sports broadcaster Craig Hamilton host two special evenings on mental health in Goondiwindi and Roma in November.
The duo were invited to speak at the free Road to Resilience events by the Goondiwindi based Tie Up The Black Dog (TUTBD) group and will be in Roma on Friday, November 14 and Goondiwindi on Saturday, November 15.
TUTBD founder Mary Woods said the idea to bring Bennett and Hamilton to the bush followed a highly successful evening hosted by the pair in Newcastle earlier this year.
"They had 850 people at Newcastle City Hall on that night and 250 on the waiting list and I just thought it would be marvellous to bring that kind of event to an area of Queensland that is obviously hurting a lot due to drought," she said.
"This will not be a night about football. It is about giving people some tools to help them become more resilient in the face of such tough times."
Hamilton is no stranger to rural Queensland, having travelled extensively through drought affected parts of the state with TUTBD earlier this year.
Mr Hamilton said he would again share his story of coping with depression and provide some advice on the signs and symptoms to be aware of.
"Depression hit me pretty badly when I was 37 even though everything in my life was going along quite well," he said.
"That's the thing that people have to be aware of. There doesn't need to be a reason why people get depressed. Sometimes there is, but often there is no rhyme or reason."
Mr Hamilton said many people ignored the symptoms of mental illness and waited too long to seek help.
"Unfortunately it got really serious for me for about six or seven months before I even saw a doctor," he said.
"That's why I like to talk about the signs and symptoms that I experienced so that if people recognise any of these they know they need to go and see a doctor. They can't just sit there and wait for things to turn around."
Hamilton said Bennett would provide the audience with some crucial advice on building resilience and overcoming adversity.
"He also talks about self-responsibility and making good decisions and good choices in life," he said.
Bennett said he would draw on his coaching and life experience during his talk.
"Craig is the real star of the show but I think there are a couple of things that I can add to the night," he said.
"I'll draw on a lifetime of being around people to do that."
Bennett said he had agreed to speak at the events because he felt a strong affinity with country people.
"I come from the bush myself and just feel that if they need help that I am happy to tag along with Craig and try to make a bit of a difference," he said.
Both events will start with a free barbecue from 6.15pm with the main show to begin at 7pm. While no bookings are required, guests are urged to register their interest for catering purposes by contacting Mary Woods on (07) 4676 4145 or emailing mwoods49@bigpond.com.au.
The events are supported by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).
Penelope Arthur
Journalist for Queensland Country Life at Roma.
Journalist for Queensland Country Life at Roma.
