December 21, 2014
Two local not-for-profit groups concerned about mental health issues in the South Burnett have come together to gauge public interest in a project that could eventually see a 100 acre farm bought for use as a “place of healing”.
Kaye Hibbs, founder of Kingaroy-based mental health support group Pathway 2 Hope Ltd, and Sandy Towell, founder of Nanango-based Boots’n Bulldust Ltd, have launched a campaign dubbed “Step Up” to push for the establishment of the “The Village”.
Sandy explained that The Step Up campaign would have two phases: a petition followed by a “March in March”.
The petition can be signed at the Pathway 2 Hope shop in King Street, Kingaroy, and at the Country Focus office in Drayton Street, Nanango.
It seeks support for the implementation of The Village project to “build confidence, self-esteem and self-worth, core values, skills and social networks while providing a link to professional services”. It calls on the South Burnett community, local, State and Federal governments to “step up” to make a difference to bring the the project to fruition.
Sandy said there was a very high need for mental health services in the South Burnett, and it was getting worse because of the drought and funding cuts to a number of agencies.
“It is basically a call to action to get as many people in the community to sign this petition to get governments to recognise the need in our community here, and for the community to come together to do something for themselves,” she said.
The second phase of the campaign would be a march through various South Burnett towns before presenting the petition to Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann and any of the candidates standing in the upcoming State election.
Sandy said there it would be five to 10-year plan to create “The Village” on a property, possibly mid-way between Kingaroy and Nanango.
“We want to create a village of hope and healing,” she said.
“A property where people could come and do things like craft, art and receive some training, learn social skills. Eventually, accredited training would be fantastic.
“We have people who are interested in doing engineering workshops, for example, but we know that is a long-term aim.”
She said The Village would be targeted at all people who need some support.
The aim was to work in with current programs and groups.
“There is some fantastic stuff already out there. We don’t want to re-invent the wheel,” Sandy said.
She said the project must be financially self-sufficient, which is one of the reasons why it would be located on a farm where the land could be leased.
Fundraising for The Village will start in the New Year. Already planned are an auction and a Mad Hatters Ball (date to be fixed).
“This will be a staged project,” Sandy said.
“If we don’t get the support, then it won’t go any further.
“The petition is a litmus test.”
