RU OK? This was the strong message being shared in Cherbourg and Kingaroy on Thursday (Photo: Cherbourg Radio)

September 10, 2021

Are you okay? Are you REALLY okay? If not, that’s okay, too. There’s no shame … many people are doing it tough these days.

But, most importantly, there’s people in the South Burnett who care, and can help.

Thursday was RU OK? Day, the annual reminder that not everyone around us is travelling smoothly, and could well be in need of a friendly smile or a helping hand.

The South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group held a free brekkie in the Glendon Street Forecourt in Kingaroy on Thursday morning.

Kingaroy Lions did the cooking and there was information available from a number of local support groups.

On Thursday evening, the SBSPWG joined with Centacare Family and Relationship Services to host a dessert night for families at the St Mary’s church hall in Albert Street.

In Cherbourg, RU OK? Day was marked by a march through town, speeches and prayers (see below).

* * *

If you or someone you know needs help, call:

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington and South Burnett mayor Brett Otto with members of the South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group … from left, Sharon Coughlan (Stanwell), Cr Danita Potter, Deb Frecklington, Kay Swansson, Brett Otto and Kayla Waugh
Kingaroy firefighters Cameron Fiedler, Justin Franklin and Jarod Hume with QFES Kingaroy Station Officer Bruce Groer, second from left
Mark Petrakis, Kingaroy; Trish Tonks (SBCTC Partners In Foster Care); Erin Jeffs (Centacare) and Angie Fisher and Kimberley Francis (Partners In Foster Care)

Judy Nickless and Lisa from the Kingaroy Library
Services

Debbie MacAlpine, Kingaroy Lions, and Eileen Kefford, Kingaroy
From left, Stanwell mine geologist Jody Jacobs, Kingaroy officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Dave Tierney, Cr Danita Potter, Detective Sergeant Scott Prendergast and South Burnett mayor Brett Otto

* * *

At Centacare

On Thursday evening, the South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group and Centacare Family Services wrapped up RU OK Day with a Dessert Night at St Mary’s Parish Hall with live music and ice cream:

Cr Danita Potter, who chairs the South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group, was dishing out pavlova
The Centacare crew were making sure everyone was having fun … from left, Sharon Collins, Rebekah Noe, Erin Jeffs and Shelley Hayden
Donna Elton, from the Wayback support service; Kay Swannson. from the South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group; and Ruth Dukes, from Eva’s Place
Rob Fitz-Herbert and his daughter Lily were providing the live music at the ice cream night

* * *

At Cherbourg

[Photos: Cherbourg Radio]

A march was held on Thursday morning, winding through the community from Wakka Wakka Park to Memorial Park.

The morning began with pastor Max Conlon addressing the community with a prayer and a minute’s silence.

The march then began along Broadway and Fisher street with the walkers chanting “What do you want to say? RU OK?”


 

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