Bob Katter had no involvement in getting Headspace to Mount Isa
I was amazed to read the Column "Comment by Bob Katter" (June 28) in Our North West Star where in part he claims credit for the establishment of "Headspace" in Mount Isa.
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Headspace was established here as a direct result of the efforts of the local community and I don’t believe that Mr Katter played a significant role at all.
I am getting a little concerned at the repeated claims that he was responsible for securing gains for our community when the facts prove otherwise.
However being the charitable person that I am if he made a contribution then I will be the first to say "Thank You".
The facts as I remember them are as follows;
The Mount Isa Community in common with other communities around Australia were concerned at the suicide rate of young people and they organised a number of marches to the lookout to focus attention on this serious issue.
I attended many of these marches and was invited to address them.
I was part of the committee which established George’s Shed and I invited the partner of the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Tim Mathieson to come to Mount Isa to perform the opening of the project which he did.
When the formalities concluded I invited him back to my home for lunch and as he was the Federal Government’s adviser on men’s health I took the opportunity of briefing him on the issue of youth suicide in our community, he assured me that he would see what could be done.
Within a short time I received a telephone call from Chris Tanti the CEO of Headspace who was based in Melbourne.
Chris agreed to come to Mount Isa and discuss the possibility of setting up a branch of Headspace in the City.
Chris came to Mount Isa and a meeting of all the various groups was held, from memory in the building of the JCU at the rear of the Mount Isa Hospital.
The meeting was well attended and again from memory I think that I chaired it.
There was general agreement of the need for a Headspace, the only issue where we could not get agreement on was which would be the best organisation to auspice it.
The rest is history.
I cant recall Mr. Katter being involved in any way, shape or form in the establishment of Headspace in our City, if he did then I repeat Thank You.
I have checked these facts with a number of people who were involved at that time and they agree with my summation of events.
The real issue here is NOT who secured Headspace in our city but that it is here giving support to young people who need assistance.
The people who DID secure it was those people within this community who marched, agitated and articulated the need for it and again I repeat the real winners are the young people and their families who will be assisted.
NOT politicians who are being well paid to do the work which they were elected to do.
Tony McGrady
Mount Isa
I see a full moon rising
We just had a full moon.
Sorry about that, we could had have had lots of fun with it.
Next time will be better.
And all the other full moons will be even better.
Stick around.
George Harley
Mount Isa
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
