Tully Support Centre news

INTERNATIONAL Men's Health Week runs from the 15 to the 21 of June and is an important opportunity to highlight men's health and what it means to be healthy.

The theme for 2020 is “Men and Families – Working Together for Men’s Health”. This year Men’s Health week is working together as individuals, families, cultures and communities to improve the health of men and boys.

Why is Australian male health so in need of attention?

More males die at every stage of life. More males have accidents, more males take their own lives and more males suffer from lifestyle-related health conditions than females at the same age.

According to Men’s Health Week website: • 6 of the 8 suicides that occur every day in Australia are Men. • Unemployed Men are 5 times more like to suicide than unemployed Females. • 1 in 5 Men will experience anxiety. • 1 in 8 Men will experience depression. • Men will live the last 11 years of their lives in poorer health. • On average Men die 5 years earlier, and • Are also 3 times more likely to die of skin cancer, liver disease or lung cancer.

Simple Changes

However, there are simple changes Men can make to improve their physical and mental health: • Walking 30 minutes a day reduces your risk of heart disease by 25%. • Sleeping 7-8 hours a night reduces their risk of a fatal heart attack by 60%. • Being active reduces your risk of depression by 60%. • Drinking less than 10 alcohol drinks a week have your risk of

LOCAL police and partner agencies in the far north used the month of May to raise awareness of domestic and family violence throughout the community.

While COVD-19 restricted face-to-face events, our members got creative with innovative ways to engage the community.

Innisfail Domestic and Family Violence Co-ordinator Acting Sergeant Tim Mahoney, together with partner agencies on the Cassowary Coast including the Innisfail Youth and Family Care Centre joined in a virtual Not Now, Not Ever event to help raise community awareness of domestic violence.

Virtual crowd standing up against domestic and family violence at the Innisfail riverfront on Saturday.

“COVID-19 made us think outside the box so it was decided that we’d work together and encourage members of the community to use paper silhouette people to represent their stance against domestic and family violence,” Acting Sergeant Mahoney said.

“The event was the culmination of weeks engaging and communicating with more than 500 members of the public, promoting the ‘Not Now, Not Ever, Together’ message during DV month.

“Our team targeted shopping and business precincts, shared our information brochure and provided information about domestic and family violence and our support services available on the Cassowary Coast.

“On Saturday, May 30, our silhouette collection was on display along the Innisfail riverfront, raising much needed community awareness of domestic and family violence.”

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out and ask for support to break the cycle of domestic and family violence, anytime.

For further information about support agencies on the Cassowary Coast click here: DV Month Flyer

For more information, you can visit: • QPS domestic violence support • Governments Domestic and Family Violence Portal (www. qld.gov.au/domesticviolence) • DV Connect Womensline (1800 811 811) anytime – 24/7 • DV Connect Mensline (1800 600 636) from 9 am – 12 midnight 7 days a week • Cairns Regional and Domestic Violence Service (07 4033 6100) • Sexual Assault Helpline 1800 010 120, from 7.30 am -11.30 pm 7 days a week

Innisfail ends Domestic Violence Prevention Month with a virtual crowd at the riverfront

Type 2 Diabetes. • Eat a healthy balanced diet.

We are all busy and it is a common excuse Men have to not make changes. But being healthy doesn’t have to be a chore and it doesn’t have to take precious time. Eat less, move more, choose healthier options and enjoy your life!

Stretch your arms catching a fishing, bowl some leggies to kids (or your mates), mow the lawn, walk the dog, dance with your partner; its not hard and it will improve your life and your relationships.

WAIT – yes work can be exercise. But it does not always have a good impact on our mental health and our relationships.

Start the conversation

Men are stubborn creatures, to say the least. We are slow to take preventative measures and don’t go to the doctor. Unfortunately eating healthy and exercise seem to still be things to be made fun of, while drinking to excess and a ‘beer gut’ is a badge of honour, to be worn proudly and even boasted about!

The reality is if we spent half the time maintaining ourselves as we do our utes, fishing gear and sheds, there would be no problem. Considering most Men’s health issues and diseases are preventable by simple lifestyle changes isn’t it time to start that conversation and make those changes?

Men’s Health Week is the time and the opportunity to make changes where they are needed but also to share in the good things that are happening.

Please start those conversations with the men and boys in your life, for more information on Men’s Health week go to; www.menshealthweek.org.au

The Tully Support Centre is funded by the Queensland Government and services communities throughout the Cassowary Coast.

The Tully Support Centre is located at 54 Bryant Street in Tully, opening hours Monday to Thursday from 9am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm.

To register your interest or more info about groups and other services please call 40 681 004, check the Tully Support Centre online at www.tullysupportcentre.com.au or follow us on facebook “Tully Support Centre Inc.”

HOW TO REPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: • EMERGENCY CALL – Triple Zero ‘000’ • Policelink on 131444 any time – 24/7 • If the safest way for you to contact police is online or SMS, then use the online options • DOWNLOAD APPS to your phone: • Emergency Triple Zero App • Queensland Police Service Policelink App • IMPORTANT NOTE: Please provide police with as much information as possible as it will help us get you help quickly. Please give clear details about what is happening, tell us if there are weapons involved and any other information that will help the safety of you and your family and that of our officers. Thank you!

Stand up and be counted. Domestic and Family Violence will not be tolerated. Not now, not ever, together!

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

Community In-Briefs

Mission Beach Markets to resume

Mission Beach Markets to recommence on June 7. All stall holders will need hand sanitiser for themselves and customers. COVID-19 safe distancing will need to be practiced and signs advising people to keep 1.5metres apart will be displayed. All enquiries can be made to 4068 7220 during business hours.

Event Training Course

Cassowary Coast residents are eligible to enrol in a free online volunteer and events training course delivered by TAFE Queensland designed to boost the skill of volunteers in the events sector and support the recovery of tourism in the region. The program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. All residents of the Cassowary Coast are eligible to enrol at https:// vetp.tafeqld.edu.au/program/8/cassowary-coast.

Calling for apprentices

Hastings Deering will open applications for its 2021 apprenticeship intake on Monday, June 8, offering 40 new positions. Trade training is on offer across nine Hastings Deering workshops including Brisbane, Toowoomba, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns, Mount Isa, Darwin and Alice Springs. Hastings Deering general manager- people and external affairs Vincent Cosgrove said the company was keen to increase applications from regional areas with clear focus again on improving flexibility and inclusion within its workforce. Applications close midnight July 5. For more information and to apply visit www.hastingsdeering.com. au/our-business/working-with-us/apprenticeships

Regional housing needs Federal focus

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has warned the Federal Government not to abandon regional Queensland’s housing market as speculation mounts over a new grants scheme.

Mr Dametto said it was imperative the Federal Government’s proposed housing stimulus package included grants to both purchase existing homes in regional areas and the ability to do renovations.

“Media speculation is mounting about what the government’s housing stimulus package will actually include, but if they are to have any chance of helping rural and regional Queensland work its way out of this economic slump, we need this grant to address the abundance of existing homes already available on the market,” he said.

“For years, Katter’s Australian Party has continuously called on the State Labor Government to expand their First Home Owner Grant to existing homes in rural and regional areas to the point where we tabled a Bill in parliament last year.”

Under the KAP’s First Home Owner Grant (Rural and Regional Areas) Amendment Bill 2019, first home owners would have the option of using the State’s $15,000 First Home Owners’ Grant to purchase or do renovations to an existing, detached home under $300,000 in rural and regional Queensland.

“Our Bill focused on boosting local economies, jobs and preventing a population drift away from those areas,” Mr Dametto said.

“Those I’ve spoken to in the real estate industry are very much behind this policy, as is the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, the Housing Industry Association and Townsville Enterprise. Now we need the Federal Government to come on board with their new scheme and I believe the State should match grant funding for Queensland applicants to ensure our population gets the maximum benefit out of this scheme.

“A broad-based scheme like this would make it easier for regional Queensland families to break into the housing market. The dream of home ownership should be attainable for all Queenslanders, no matter where you live. Katter’s Australian Party backs them all the way.”