SUPPORT FOR ANGEL FAMILIES

The Hervey Bay RSL has been a long-time Operational Sponsor of Rally for a Cause and is again a Gold Sponsor of the Dunga Derby in 2023.

However, this year's sponsorship of RFAC has gone to new level with a further $30,000 going towards one very special cause.

Families who have experienced the excruciating loss of a child under 21 years of age have had absolutely no support services on the Fraser Coast to guide them through their grief and loss, until now. Angel Families was established in 2022 under the umbrella of Rally for a Cause by Hervey Bay's Alicia Thomas who lost her 16-year-old son as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident.

Families like Alicia's harbour their feelings to protect others because they do not want to burden anyone else with the darkness and sadness of reality.

It is a lonely truth that no one knows the extraordinary emotions of a bereaved parent unless they too have experienced loss.

The group has grown significantly in the past year with a community of 50 families made up of mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters and other family members, all supporting each other in the moment and through the difficult times ahead.

The get togethers are a place where families can just be. A place to chat, cry, laugh, remember, be angry or sad and everything in between.

The monthly peer-to-peer support style get togethers address the needs of the whole person by breaking down isolation and stigma, equipping families with coping strategies and communications skills and promoting good mental and physical health.

The Hervey Bay RSL sponsorship will help the group continue to host professionals and guests at the families' request, including specialist mental health professionals as well as topical specialists like preserving the memories of the child and more.

The Hervey Bay RSL is proud to be a sponsor of this very special initiative.

“If anyone wants my vote on something; if it benefits the kids, that's me. That's all I want.

“Training finishes at 5pm but the juniors are still running around kicking the ball at 7pm and that's great to see.

“It keeps kids off tech and involved in sports.”

He said the new committee are making changes to bring together the club as a community with more spaces opening up for mods and mini mods, sourcing more space to play and having senior players on a roster to help guide the upcoming juniors during training sessions.

About 250 little Seagulls make up three U6 teams, four U8 teams, four U10 teams and six under 12 teams this year. Add to that U13s, U14s, U15s and U16s Internationals and Seniors, and it's clear the Seagulls are thriving.

Joey is proud of the commitment shown by the committee, players, parents, and especially the volunteer coaches who turn up to lead every week

“This is the first year in a long time that we have had coaches for every grade,” Joey said.

“We aren't saying to parents as the kids turn up “can anyone coach”? I love the fact that we are a great community that everyone is involved in.

“It's a lot more organised and we've had really great feedback from that.”

Follow the Hervey Bay RSL Seagulls on Facebook or visit the website at hbseagulls.tidyhq.com to find out more.

Step Back In Time

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A crowd of thousands are expected to flood the streets of Howard for the annual event on July 22. Thanks to a $1250 Hervey Bay RSL Community Grant the organisers, stall holders and guests will be covered by insurance.

The event is run by a small team of volunteers to celebrate the discovery of coal by William Howard in 1876, directly leading to the establishment of the towns of Howard and Torbanlea.

It is said that 94 shafts and tunnels were dug and over 400 personnel were employed. Coal mining continued in the area for about 130 years.

That’s a big reason to celebrate, but unfortunately that comes with a big cost which is why the team were elated to receive the RSL Grant.

“The grant has helped our organisation free up some of our resources for other costs like entertainment, road closures, equipment hire and advertising,” treasurer Pamela Evans said.

“It's a oneday festival that highlights our community and the surrounds and promotes our history and our way of life, now and in the past.”

Pamela said it will be a fun-filled day with an art show, live entertainment, dancers, field games, face painting, dog obedience, Shannons Motor and Caravan Show, horse rides, market stalls, chainsaw artists and a grand parade.

The school's Chaplaincy Program was running for three days a week and is a big part of the glue that helps learning stick with a breakfast program and a safe space management zone for students With only minimal Government funding and less fundraising capabilities through the Coronavirus pandemic, the school had to cut back to two days last year It just wasn't enough said Jackie Crighton who is affectionately known to students and staff as Chappy Jack. The RSL came on board with a $15,000 grant to reinstate Chappy Jack for a third day.

The school has one of lowest Index of Community Socio Educational Advantage in the Wide Bay and with the cost of living only rising, Chappy Jack has seen an increase in homelessness with students and their families living in tents.

This means the parent community often struggle to provide basic necessities like breakfast.