Strength from sadness helps others Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au
QUINN Story was a happy youngster whose death year’s later at The Pillars, Mount Martha, was the catalyst for Mornington mother Monique Story to reach out to other young people. Picture: Supplied
IT IS impossible for most of us to imagine anything more painful than losing two children in their prime, but for one mother, reaching out to others has given her the strength to honour her sons and turn her grief into something positive. For Monique Story, the experience of losing her beloved son Quinn in 2021 at 16, and then a couple of years later her older son Hunter at almost 23, was paralysing. But inspiringly, that pain became the Mornington mum’s motivation to make sure young people struggling to fit in, or struggling to navigate the world in general, were supported in their journey. Story says the challenges of understanding who they are and where their future lies can be suffocating for young people, add to that the experience of COVID lockdowns, school stresses and mental health, and you have a crisis. Her much-loved, vibrant and intelligent son Quinn drowned at The Pillars in Mount Martha in 2021. A Coroner’s report in mid-2023 confirmed his death as being accidental but left many unanswered questions. Meanwhile, rather than letting herself be swept away with grief, Story focused on ways to help others. She started Quinn’s Place, a “hang out” space for young people to meet friends. There are activities - X-box and computers, free entertainment, chess, and free food and refreshments from local businesses - but there is also no obligation, some young people just “chill”, play computer games or jam on donated musical instruments. “I started this place because I know that young people often feel like they don’t fit in,
like they have no place to go, and they become isolated, unsupported and anxious, but when they come here there are people to talk to, no judgements, and plenty of do,” Story said. While still mourning her younger son, Story’s grief was compounded last year with the death of Quinn’s older brother, Hunter. Hunter had been taking medication for bipolar disorder but, after deciding he didn’t need it anymore, his depression and erratic behaviour returned, and he lost the battle with his demons and the will to live. Story is now more determined than ever that Quinn’s Place remains an inclusive, welcoming and supportive place for young people. “We get young people who find it hard to talk to people, or just want some space from the world, and that’s fine, but I do find that after a while they often come out of their shell enough to make friends and feel comfortable,” she said. “That’s what I love to see, I’ve seen kids blossom, and that’s what tells me that young people need support and when they get that support, they can shine. “Sometimes it has taken a lot of courage for them to actually walk in the door, but because of the friendly, relaxed vibe, they usually come back.” As another way of dealing with her grief and helping others, Story has published a book, The Quinn Story, a brave and honest account of Quinn’s battle with PTSD, peer pressure, the trials of being a teenager, and psychosis. It is available at Farrell’s book store in Main Street, Mornington, and Wickety Wax in Mornington. Quinn’s Place has been closed for the summer break, but opens again on Friday 2 February, at 8 Drake Street, Mornington, from 6pm to 10pm. Details:Quinn’s Place (facebook. com/groups/965575644159291/).
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children with their ROB and Bec Mathew and their and Maddison Shane Warne. tribute to Sissons Picture: Gary
being warned residents are bins N Peninsula closed shops or full MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are being warned on CCTV MORNINGTO outside donations them being captured that leaving donations outside closed shops or full bins that leaving to could lead over Easter could lead to them being captured on CCTV over Easter Keep Australia and fined. and fined. to the waste watch group of all donations left According to the waste watch group Keep Australia per cent in landfill According around 90 bins end up Beautiful Victoria, around 90 per cent of all donations left Beautiful Victoria, stops or recycling outside charitable stops or recycling bins end up in landfill or soiled. although outside charitable are damaged Jeff Antcliff says that because they are damaged or soiled. this because they manager at reducing Vinnies general manager Jeff Antcliff says that although Vinnies general are getting better peninsula residents are getting better at reducing this on way to go. peninsula residents is still a long we have had a reduction waste, there is still a long way to go. peninsula, waste, there past five years at our shops on the “Over the past five years we have had a reduction on “Over the about conleft unattended that, but it’s things being left unattended at our shops on the peninsula, things being thank residents for it’s about consaid. to of and I’d like to thank residents for that, butPaul and I’d like process,” he went to a lot education he said. process,” tinuing that education op shop Hastings, with tinuing that said well-meaning people Kirkham, good for donations, went to a lot of at Vinnies people said well-meaning Mr Antcliff Mr Antcliff and Graeme it into the fold and pack often became soiled VOLUNTEERS Jones pack good for donations, and made launder and and foldthat to launder trouble Angela where it trouble to goods Benjamin, it unattended, donated it unattended, where it often became soiled leave theleave only to of to recycle only some VOLUNTEERS at Vinnies op shop Hastings, Paul Sissons of reuse and at open Gary or blown around. blown around. by weather Picture: or by weather store. 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