Guest Speaker Sam Bailey will share his story of tragedy, triumph and romance.
Community members from Garema are inviting people from Forbes and surrounding areas to come along to a free event and find out more about what drought support is available, how to get help for mental health issues and to hear from a number of lived experience speakers.
The event will be held on Thursday, 5 March from 9.30am at Garema Hall and everyone is welcome to attend. Guest speaker, Sam Bailey is a C6/C7 quadriplegic who has conquered his disability to become a successful farmer, ultralight pilot, inspirational speaker, best-selling author and role model for children.
Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) Coordinator Di Gill said there will be something for everyone including a health check, kids’ corner with childcare, and a free morning tea and lunch, stating
that “we want people from these smaller communities to come together and learn more about how they can help themselves or others with mental health issues.”
Event organiser and local farmer Tom Norris said he was inspired to get this event off the ground after he himself attended a similar event during the Millennium Drought which was “a turning point” for his own mental wellbeing.
Tom acknowledged his supporters, “Thanks to a combined effort between the Garema Hall committee, the Forbes Shire Council, RAMHP, the Department of Primary Industries Rural Resilience Program, the Country Women’s Association, Forbes’ Men’s Shed, the Forbes Lions Club and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) this event has been able to happen.”