Kate Lovett is working to erase the stigma surrounding mental health through the Mount Isa Rodeo Queen Quest this year.
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Raising funds and awareness for the North West Queensland Mental Health Network, Ms Lovett wants to remind locals it is ok to ask for help if you are experiencing a mental illness.
“Mental Health is very close to myself and my family and friends. We have been affected by quite a few suicides in the last six months hence I am so determined to put this message out there,” Ms Lovett said.
“I really wanted to get the word out about mental health and help break down the stigma surrounding it.”
Ms Lovett said recent events and the thought of giving back to her charity and the wider community inspired her to enter in the Queen Quest competition in 2019.
“For the last six years we have been attending the Mount Isa Rodeo and have watched the Rodeo Queens at the event, I thought it was something I could do,” she said.
“Each year I had thought about entering in the competition but this year I said to my eldest daughter that I was entering and she was so excited, which helped me pursue it.
“I was attracted to getting involved with the rodeo committee and giving back to the Mount Isa community. I thought if I entered I would choose a charity that could assist many people across the North West region.”
This is not the first time Ms Lovett has been involved in helping local charities and community groups, previously raising money for breast cancer and assisting with the Mount Isa Hockey Association for many years.
Ms Lovett said she planned to enjoy the Queen Quest journey.
“Being out among the community and giving back is such a great feeling. I just want to raise as much money as I can for my charity and then enjoy rodeo week,” she said.
“The bull ride I feel is the best part of the Isa Rodeo. The adrenaline of these men getting on the back of an animal more then triple their size is amazing to watch.
“They are such athletes and the crowd really gets behind them and encourages them to stay on for eight seconds.”
With Ms Lovett competing with six other entrants, she has hosted combined events with other queens.
“We have combined events and worked together to raise as much money as we can for all our charities. It has worked well as the charities also blend together, for example mental health can play a part with the PCYC and The Cancer Care Unit.”
In conjunction to the blended events, Ms Lovett is also fundraising solo with her trusty minions that are represented in the yellow t-shirts.
“I am currently selling tickets for a pallet of alcohol and it will be drawn the day before Australia Day. There is also tickets being sold in a $8500 cash prize, including $5000 for first, $2000 for second, $1000 for third and $500 for fourth and there is only 350 tickets being sold and drawn as soon as tickets are sold,” she said.
“In April I am planning Easter Egg Hunt and Easter markets, which I am finalising the details for at the moment.
“I just want to thank Mount Isa and the wider community for all their support so far, it has been greatly appreciated and fun getting to meet everyone.”
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
