Mayor's Column – Looking Out for One Another

One of the things I love most about living in the Whitsundays is that when times get tough, our community doesn't look away. We lean in, we check on our mates and we support each other.

‍

Recently my wife Mel and I had the privilege of attending the Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network's Legends Night fundraiser in Bowen. It was a fantastic evening overlooking our beautiful coastline, but more importantly, it was a reminder of just how important community connection is.

‍

Mental health and suicide prevention remain significant challenges across regional Australia, and sadly the Whitsundays is not immune. Many of us know someone who has struggled, someone who has lost a loved one, or someone who has faced challenges behind closed doors.

‍

That's why the work being done by the Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network is so important.

The Network is made up of passionate local volunteers who are helping create awareness, start conversations and connect people with support when they need it most. Their work is often done quietly and behind the scenes, but the impact they have across our communities is enormous.

‍

A highlight of the evening was hearing from guest speakers Michael Kimpton and McQuilty "Coco" Quirke, who shared powerful stories of resilience, perseverance and overcoming adversity. Their honesty resonated with everyone in the room and reinforced an important message — no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always hope and there are always people willing to help.

‍

I want to congratulate Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network President Matt Stokes, Jenn Lowcock and the entire team of volunteers for organising such a successful event. I also want to thank everyone who attended, donated and supported the cause.

‍

As a community, we should never underestimate the power of a simple conversation. Checking in on a mate, making a phone call, inviting someone for a coffee or simply asking "Are you okay?" can make a world of difference.

‍

The Whitsundays has always been a community that looks after its own. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more connected and more resilient region where nobody feels they have to face life's challenges alone.

‍