Disability advocate Tim Morrissey ‘brought to tears’ as Tweed Valley Hospital debate turns nasty

The debate over the site of the Tweed Valley Hospital has boiled over following claims a disability advocate received emails calling him “a clown”.

THE debate over the site of the Tweed Valley Hospital has boiled over following claims a disability advocate received emails calling him “a clown”.

The Tweed community has rallied around Tim Morrissey — who is known for his support for the hospital — after it was revealed he had been warned about sharing his views.

Claims that Mr Morrissey, who has Down syndrome, had received messages were brought to light earlier this week by the Support Our Tweed Hospital Team.

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Disability advocate Tim Morrissey said he was “brought to tears” over a hateful email related to his support for the proposed Tweed Hospital on the Cudgen Plateau near Kingscliff. Picture: Supplied.

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The group, of which Mr Morrissey was a member, have worked in support of the establishment of the $536 million hospital on the Cudgen Plateau, while the Relocate Tweed Hospital team have campaigned against the chosen site.

Both groups have strongly condemned the messages received by Mr Morrissey.

Mr Morrissey said the messages he received via an email last week brought him to tears.

He has since called for unity on the matter.

He would not reveal the source of the complaints for fear of further backlash.

Works have well and truly begun on the $534 million Tweed Valley Hospital site at Cudgen.

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“We need to start respecting each other more, this has gone too far,” Mr Morrissey said.

“I don’t want to say who sent anything I just want it to be over, we need to be working together as a community.

“A lot of people have been hurt over this and it doesn’t have to be this way.”

Mr Morrissey said he has since been contacted by a number of locals over the messages.

“There are a lot of strong people out there who support me,” he said.

“I just ask people to think of kids who get hurt and how good having a hospital close would be.

“We need to think about the benefit to the community.”

protest outside the site of the new Tweed Valley Hospital at Cudgen. Photo Scott Powick

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Penny Hockings, who runs the Support Our Tweed Valley Hospital Facebook Group, said the hospital controversy has done irreparable damage to the town.

Ms Hockings, who has a special needs son has herself, has faced a backlash for her open support of the hospital build.

“We have been in the hospital system his whole life, having something closer would bring relief to so many families,” Ms Hockings said.

“It has been nasty and has gotten out of control to be honest, it is all behind closed doors.

“Tim isn’t the first to have received letters, we have all learnt to take it, but targeting him is going too far.”

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Proposed sight of the new Tweed Valley Hospital

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Hayley Paddon — a founder of the Relocate Team — has also condemned the messages.

Ms Paddon has been a victim of online attacks herself, after her photo was stolen and used in a solicitation Instagram site.

“I only found out yesterday afternoon and it shocked me, I can’t believe how low this is getting,” Ms Paddon said.

“On behalf of the Relocate Team we don’t condone or think it is anyone’s right to do something like this.

“Everyone is entitled to their point of view.”