How popular accountant’s legacy is living on helping others

After local accountant Geoff Redpath tragically took his life five years ago, friends and family have kept his spirit alive, with an event helping others to recognise and deal with mental health battles.

After local accountant Geoff Redpath tragically took his life five years ago, friends and family have kept his spirit alive, with an event helping others to recognise and deal with mental health battles. Picture: Isabella Magee

Smiles and laughter were abundant on Friday at the Fraser Coast Mates Golf Day, but more than 200 participants were there for a serious issue.

After losing a mate Geoff Redpath five years ago, the event at the Hervey Bay Golf Club has gone from remembering Geoff to a lot more, as his legacy lives on and helps save others’ lives.

Their “biggest event” yet, this year’s golf day had more men than ever willing to open up about their feelings while raising funds for mental health awareness.

Fraser Coast Mates Committee member Peter Grumley. Picture: Isabella Magee

Fraser Coast Mates Committee member Peter Grumley told the Chronicle the event was in memory of Geoff but also about “promoting good mental health throughout our community”.

“I was a friend of Geoff’s, who saw Geoff a day before he passed away and he was in good spirits, he had good banter,” Mr Grumley said.

“Today is about getting the conversation started about looking after mental health.

“Look at changes in people, if they are sad, having trouble keeping relationships, they might say they're not sleeping well, there’s a whole lot of different elements to someone whose mental health might be not be going real good (sic) at the moment ... Use sincerity, listen.”

Kim Parnell with Kim Redpath, whose late partner is Geoff Redpath. Picture: Isabella Magee

Geoff’s wife Kim Redpath has attended the event every year, and she said she was glad his memory was being kept alive while doing good for others.

“This isn’t just for Hervey Bay, it’s for all Fraser Coast,” she said.

“He always was someone who liked to help people so this is nice in memory of him.”

D.J. Hinton Lawyers firm owner and lawyer David Hinton. Picture: Isabella Magee

Participants of the Golf Day said they’ve noticed people in professions like law and accounting, as Geoff was, often struggle with mental health battles.

And, in his 30th year as a lawyer, now owning his own firm D.J. Hinton Lawyers, David Hinton was one who agreed.

“Alcohol and even drugs are a big problem ... I personally know people in the cities have had problems, and a couple that have taken their lives, depression and mental health is a huge issue” Mr Hinton said.

“They're starting to get some support, but ... it's only sort of happened very recently ... it's getting better, but it's such a stressful occupation, it's always very challenging.

“I think (these occupations are worse for mental health because of) stress from going through people’s problems with them, trying to solve their problems ... People are getting nastier.”

Fraser Coast Mates President Darren Bosley. Picture: Isabella Magee

Fraser Coast Mates President Darren Bosley said the turn out of the day showed how mental health “doesn’t discriminate.”

“There's nearly 200 businesses being represented here today and they've all come along because they've been impacted by mental health in some way if they've not been impacted themselves, they've had a friend or family member who has so it's it doesn't discriminate, it can affect anybody,” Mr Bosley said.

See the gallery pictures of the 2021 Fraser Coast Mates Golf Day here.

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Originally published as How popular accountant’s legacy is living on helping others