Tania Nugent, a television host, presenter, journalist and lobbyist for domestic violence will head up the QCWA and Women’s Health Queensland Wide co-hosted women’s breakfast in Mount Isa on Thursday, March 8.
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With a career spanning more than 30 years’ in the media, Ms Nugent’s work in North Queensland for Channel Seven (formerly Sunshine Television), as journalist, presenter and producer, saw her work closely with the community and in particular document the lives of indigenous Australians.
After more than 15 years at ABC Television, and more recently producing and hosting Point of View in Papua New Guinea, women’s health and in particular the treatment of women, has been a topical conversation on the show.
“When you are experiencing isolation, and going through issues, you don’t feel like there is anyone you can reach out to, or that anyone would understand,” Ms Nugent said.
“You just sort of suck it up, and you convince yourself that it is no big deal – causing you to sit on your trauma.”
Domestic violence along with mental health issues, social isolation and perinatal depression, are all issues affecting women in regional Queensland.
“Domestic violence is not exclusive to one particular sector of society. It can be found in affluent homes as well as poor homes, among the highly educated and the amongst the less educated,” Ms Nugent said.
“Often victims and survivors feel ashamed about what is happening to them and keep it a secret. When we keep quiet about domestic violence, we allow it to flourish.
“This initiative that is being led out of Mount Isa, through the combination of Women’s Health Queensland Wide and QCWA, is paramount in starting the conversation, and continuing it.
“We need the community as a whole to understand not just the physical trauma, but the deeper psychological trauma that results from domestic violence.”
On March 8 Women’s Health Queensland Wide, will host its inaugural “Sharing is Caring” morning tea at QCWA Copper City Mount Isa Hall, supported by QCWA Queensland the Queensland Government, to shed light on the public crisis that affects many people in the Mount Isa area.
“Women living in rural and regional communities are at a greater risk of experiencing social isolation and loneliness, largely in part, due to their limited access to health services, and being unaware that they exist,” said Chief Executive Officer, Caroline Cuckson of Women’s Health Queensland Wide.
“It’s important to have events just like the “Sharing is Caring” morning tea, that encourages women to share their experiences and for everyone, young and old, to know that there are health services available to enhance their life and well-being.
“Domestic violence, mental health, social isolation and in general women’s health, are challenges that women in rural and regional Queensland face. Starting the conversation is critical.”
Rural and regional areas have a distinctively unique set of circumstances that can exacerbate social isolation particularly for women in particular. This often leads to poor mental health, and overall a lower quality of life.
“It’s a great opportunity for women to enjoy each other’s company and just talk about what they are going through.
“Often it’s the start of conversations just like this that make the world of difference.”
The keynote speaker for this event is Tania Nugent, a former ABC presenter, who will share her personal journey with speakers Women’s Health Queensland Wide Inc. CEO, Caroline Cuckson, and local Mount Isa nurse, Cheryl Hawkins.
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.
