Swimming Laps And Growing Mos

Emergency services from throughout the region will face off in a 60km Swim Challenge to raise awareness and funds for men's health in November.

Now in its third year, the challenge differs from the previous two years in that the services, Queensland Fire Service (QFS), Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Police Service and the Mackay Airport Fire and Rescue, will race each other to the 60km mark.

Mackay Fire and Rescue Firefighters Carl Jackson and Kyle McCormack organised the challenge last year and are again at the reins this year, saying the event promotes networking and bonding while raising awareness for men’s mental health and raising funds for Movember.

“The whole goal is to raise funds and awareness for men’s health,” said Kyle.

“We’re lucky that we get to use that common goal to network with the other agencies as well.

“We all do a very similar job and we’re super competitive in our nature, so the event just works perfect for us in getting people in there and making connections.”

“We see them on jobs … so now we'll have that better connection and we can work in better with them,” added Carl.

Between 40 and 50 swimmers participated last year, with all services collaborating to complete the 60km goal in three hours.

This year, each service will enter its own team and race to complete the goal individually.

“It makes it a bit more competitive,” said Kyle.

“There’s a bit more pressure for everyone to get down there which is what we want at the end of the day.”

The nature of the industry and the potential of being exposed to trauma means mental health is of the utmost importance to QFS.

Additionally, with differing shifts, firefighters aren’t always offered the opportunity to get to know their colleagues while at work.

“It’s really about just getting everybody together and connecting,” said Kyle.

“There’s lots of different people and personalities within the workplace, just like every other workplace.

“It’s important to me because we all get to have a conversation and talk and connect, especially with the other services, so they don’t feel like they’re on their own.”

Mental health awareness is engrained in the culture of QFS, seeing frequent collaborations with Movember, R U OK? Day and Black Dog Institute, and Carl says these causes help to promote open communication.

“The more you work with someone, the more you start to realise maybe they’re not having a good day,” he said.

“If you know someone well enough, you’ll be able to talk to them.

“It’s not awkward, it’s not a hard conversation because you feel comfortable, and you feel supported.

“That’s what we’re trying do with this, to encourage people to speak up - it’s okay to not be okay.”

The Challenge will take place at Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Centre on November 11, bringing together emergency services from Mackay and throughout the region and their families.

Emergency vehicles will be there for the kids to explore as well as mascots, a sausage sizzle and games and competitions outside the pool for everyone to get involved in.

There is also a trophy on offer for the first service to complete the 60km swim.

To find out more about the event and to donate, scan the QR code.

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