{"id":318616,"date":"2022-05-24T23:20:45","date_gmt":"2022-05-24T13:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=318616"},"modified":"2022-05-27T21:36:34","modified_gmt":"2022-05-27T11:36:34","slug":"kicking-goals-for-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2022\/05\/24\/kicking-goals-for-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Kicking Goals For Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Johnathan Thurston with rugby league fans James, Tanya and Allan Christensen, at the KCCI meet’n’greet on Monday night at the Kingaroy Red Ants clubhouse in Kingaroy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

May 24, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

The South Burnett has played host for the past few days to retired rugby league superstar Johnathan Thurston AM.<\/p>\n

Thurston’s stellar career includes stints with the Kangaroos, Maroons, Indigenous All Stars and North Queensland Cowboys as well as numerous awards including multiple Dally M medals, the Clive Churchill Medal and Golden Boot awards.<\/p>\n

He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List<\/p>\n

Thurston was brought to the South Burnett to share insights from his JT Academy program with young people at local schools, older men and the general community.<\/p>\n

(And also sign more than a few autographs).<\/p>\n

He visited Kingaroy State High School and St Mary\u2019s Catholic College on Monday, took in a Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce meet’n’greet on Monday night and visited the Murgon Men’s Shed and Murgon State High School on Tuesday before being the special guest at a big community event at Kingaroy Town Hall on Tuesday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Wednesday, he was due to surprise the students at Nanango State High School and Yarraman P-9.<\/p>\n

Thurston said his JT Academy aimed to inspire the next generation to be the best that they can be.<\/p>\n

“Every program that we run is about confidence, courage and self-belief,” he said.<\/p>\n

“They are the three characteristics that I had to display as a teenager to help me get where I am today.”<\/p>\n

* * *<\/h2>\n

KCCI Meet’n’Greet<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The South Burnett Eagles hosted the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s May meet’n’greet on Monday night, with Thurston as the special guest.<\/strong><\/p>\n

KCCI meet’n’greets are always well-attended, but this one – held at the Kingaroy Red Ants’ clubhouse – broke records with more than 100 people booked in.<\/p>\n

Guests listened intently as Thurston and JT Academy general manager Samantha Johnston explained the philosophy behind the Academy, which has been working with communities in the Torres Strait, Yarrabah and Kowanyama.<\/p>\n

Other meet’n’greet highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n