November 25, 2022
Did you know that probably one in three children have been sexually abused by the time they turn 15?
This traumatic statistic was shared by guest speaker Hetty Johnston AM at the South Burnett Mayor’s Charity Christmas lunch on Thursday.
The lunch, held in Kingaroy Town Hall, is a fundraiser to help local families at Christmas, with all ticket sales and raffle proceeds going to local charities for distribution.
Hetty Johnston founded Bravehearts – a support organisation for families whose children have suffered child abuse – in 1996 after her daughter revealed she had been abused by a relative.
Hetty told the diners that many children in local communities were “living on eggshells” as they have histories of abuse.
If this trauma was not resolved, the next time a disaster hits – whether it’s a fire or a flood or a personal disaster – the children simply cannot cope.
Hetty called for resilience training to be included in all schools, to reach traumatised children so they can build resilience.
“Resilience training works … and it’s never too late,” she said.
The other guest speakers at the lunch were Rick and Sarah Henwood, from Nanango, who have founded “Love Leads The Way” to help homeless people in Nanango and Kingaroy.
Sarah said there would be “30 or 40” people living in cars or sleeping rough in Kingaroy on Friday night.
She said many people were just “one unexpected life drama” away from homelessness.
The couple tries to help homeless people by providing shopping vouchers, swags and just sitting and talking.
Sarah said donations to help the homeless could be be left at Nanango Real Estate.
Editor’s note: The guest speakers affected many in the audience. I heard two women – who obviously did not know each other – briefly chatting afterwards. One said Hetty’s talk had stirred up bad memories as she was “one in three”; the other replied “make that two in six – and I was always the one who was blamed”. The level of past trauma in the South Burnett community obviously cannot be over-estimated.
UPDATE: The lunch raised $6771 with all proceeds to be donated to South Burnett families in need by way of food vouchers.
Great coverage of a very important event, the Shedders were very proud to support it.