Australian TV presenter Gus Worland visits Dalby to promote ‘mental fitness’ at free events

Media personality and founder of the Gotcha4Life Gus Worland was in Dalby on Wednesday to promote ‘mental fitness’ and offer the town free programs for youth targeted at suicide prevention. See details.

Australian TV and radio presenter Gus Worland was in Dalby on Wednesday to discuss ‘mental fitness’ with residents in town who were invited to a free lunch, following a “tough couple months” for people in regional communities.

The well-known media personality founded the Gotcha4Life Foundation in 2017 and has partnered with a number of large programs that are offered to help men, women and young people build what Mr Worland referred to as ‘mental fitness’.

He offered his sincere condolences to more than 60 residents who attended the session, after learning that nine people in Dalby had lost their lives to suicide in the past two months.

“I’m so sorry for the sadness you’ve experienced,” he said.

The radio presenter said, in front of numerous councillors as well as Mayor Paul McVeigh who were in attendance, that he wanted to offer the township free programs that were affiliated with the Gotcha4Life Foundation to assist in strengthening people’s mental fitness.

Media personality and founder of Gotcha4Life Gus Worland presents at Western Downs Regional Council to promote 'mental fitness' in the community. Picture: Emily Devon

“It’s sad and we need to fix it,” he said.

“And the best way to try and do that is to let some people come in and help, and if you want me to do that then I really want to do that.

“The most things that stop this stuff is either people are a bit scared or budget, because people are always struggling for cash but we’re not going to put those roadblocks up for you guys.”

Prior to sharing details of the Gotcha4Life programs Mr Worland shared sobering statistics on suicide rates in Australia as well as revealing what kick-started his advocacy for suicide prevention as he detailed the shocking loss of one of his closest friend years ago.

“I went on a journey to figure out why a friend of mine took his own life. Here was a guy I thought had everything covered. And I loved him like a brother,” he said.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH - Pictured in the Triple M studios today is Wendell Sailor, Jude Bolton and Gus Worland, who will be the new line up for The Deadset Legends show. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“The couple of areas we’re going to in the next few days have had some very tough months.

“National stats will tell us regional areas are twice as bad as city areas, for a whole lot of different reasons. Most of the time it’s a services issue.”

Mr Worland said he hoped to make just a small difference by having these discussions with community members, but knows it’s a long road ahead.

“A lot of people don’t realise how many people commit suicide a year, and even how many people attempt it in Australia,” he said.

“Seven men who woke up this morning, won’t wake up tomorrow and two women who woke up this morning won’t wake up tomorrow.

“Plus there are 65,000 attempts a year.”

Gus Worland, the founder of Gotcha4Life Gus Worland (centre) talking to basketball players and officials at the Northern Beaches Police Citizens Youth Club at Dee Why. Picture: NSW PCYC

The Triple M radio host said he was expecting to have difficult conversations at the free community lunch Wednesday where residents will be invited to attend the session, have the opportunity to tell their stories and ask questions.

“I hope to give people some understanding of what we can offer in terms of services, and say hey let’s get these program partners into the community so we can help even more,” he said.

“I certainly don’t want to be a one-stop-shop and say ‘Here I am’, it’s just a starting point to bring our programs Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman and Man Anchor into the community.”

General Manager HSE at Origin Energy Patrick Murphy, invited the Gotcha4Life founder to Origin’s Darling Downs power station for a presentation with employees and contractors Wednesday morning.

“Gus has come with us to various operations across the Origin portfolio talking to people about building their mental fitness and maintaining it,” Mr Murphy said.

“It’s important for our power stations to maintain the health and safety of our people which are our greatest asset.”

Mr Worland will attend the Darling Downs power station Wednesday morning, April 5.

He will also be at Western Downs Regional Council, 30 Marble St in Dalby from 12pm to 2pm.

Residents can RSVP here.

Originally published as Australian TV presenter Gus Worland visits Dalby to promote ‘mental fitness’ at free events