Pictured is Daniel Wright, MC Peter Buckley, Leanne Rogers at Spirituality in the Pub on 8 April 2024..
The Holy Family Parish hosted a “Spirituality in the Pub’ evening on Monday, 8th of April with two vibrant and inspiring speakers, Leanne Rogers, and Daniel Wright. The event was in the function room at the Coachman Hotel, and many of the audience stayed on for dinner and a chat.
The topic, ‘A Passion for a Healthy Community’, was appropriate to their own lived experiences. Dan has been a paramedic in Parkes (NSW Ambulance Service) for the past 15 years. Dan lost his son Luke to suicide in 2019 and the grief and trauma suffered by his family prompted Dan to work towards preventing these tragedies in our community.
Dan lobbied for Parkes to be chosen as the first regional site for a Safe
Haven site in NSW. He also co-designed the concept of the site which is on the ground floor, Suite 3, 195-199 Clarinda Street. It is a place for people to go if they are feeling distressed or having suicidal thoughts.
People can talk openly about how they are feeling and what they are going through, and they will be supported, not judged.
Leanne grew up in Parkes and by age 18 was in Adelaide studying to become a nurse. After graduating and completing Intensive Care qualifications, she went back to a rural setting where she had opportunities to take on leadership roles and education positions. This included teaching medical students at Flinders Uni rural clinical school with an emphasis on quality, safety and patient focussed care, teaching through realistic healthcare simulation.
As a community we must have concern about each other. Every person’s story matters and a little bit of kindness goes a long way. Is your group, service club, organisation interested in supporting these amazing centres which are fostering community connections and adding new dimensions to the provision of mental health in Parkes?
If so, visit Safe Haven, talk to people like Daniel and Leanne to find out more contact Lynn Rogers, lynnandwayne@bigpond.com.