Boorowa Hosts A Day For The Blokes

The Boorowa community offered an ecstatic welcome to guest speakers for A Day For The Blokes at Boorowa Ex Services and Citizens Club on Friday, May 19.

The guest speakers discussed personal emotional challenges they had experienced resulting in physical and mental scars from traumatic incidents, putting life into a new perspective for those present.

They also spoke on the long-term effects of mental illnesses and how to overcome them.

Local legend Peter Sykes, former publican turned paramedic with a wicked sense of humour, was among the speakers.

He discussed the curve-balls life had tossed his way - his work-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how it changed his life and living with Parkinson’s Disease.

Boorowa football star, Nathan Stapleton who once played for the Cronulla Sharks, shared the difficulties of becoming a quadriplegic from an injury obtained while playing for the Boorowa Goldies Rugby Union team.

Kate, Nathan’s loving wife of 15 years, was and continues to be his number one supporter along with their two young children, Harry and Angus.

Nathan’s encouraging family and friends were a massive key to his recovery and maintaining his mental health during such unprecedented times.

The audience was left in awe of what Nathan had overcome at such a young age.

Former professional rugby league player, Mitch Allgood had to learn the hard way about prioritising his own mental health.

He now dedicates his free time to supporting people around him and helping them come to terms with their own struggles.

The inspirational speakers made a lasting impact on men’s mental health, not only in Boorowa, but also the outer community.

After an emotional night speaking on resilience, strength and adaptability, the group sat back with a new perspective and embarked on conversations about their own physical and emotional challenges.

• Topics:

• Mental Health
• Community Groups