August 28, 2014
beyondblue’s “Big Blue Bus” is coming to Nanango and Kingaroy next month and it’s all because of a petition started by local resident Kaye Hibbs.
Kaye, from support group Pathway 2 Hope, was determined to bring the bus to the South Burnett after the original schedule showed the area would miss out on a visit by beyondblue’s National Roadshow.
She gathered more than 250 signatures on a petition to bring the bus to town … and it worked.
“There are so many people suffering in silence. There are farmers out here who are losing everything and they need to know they’ve got the support of the community behind them,” she said.
“We need to help break the silence – that is what the beyondblue visit is about.”
beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said the demand for mental health information, support and services was high in every region the bus had visited.
“Whether we’re in capital cities, regional centres or the outback, this Roadshow is revealing the widespread impact of depression, anxiety and suicide on individuals and communities.
“People want practical information and support,” she said.
“We have been touched by the number of people sharing their experiences with us and I thank Kaye and the Kingaroy community for insisting we visit them.
“We know the community has faced factors that negatively impact on mental health, such drought, flood and financial stress.”
The big blue bus will attend the Nanango Markets on Saturday, September 6, before heading to Kingaroy’s Memorial Park for a free lunchtime community barbecue.
The big blue bus is spending 10 weeks in Queensland as part of its National Roadshow.
- Related article: Kaye Carves Out A Pathway To Hope
