Stanthorpe residents Hugh Strong, Kylie Hutchin raising awareness for a good cause

Two very passionate Stanthorpe locals have selflessly stepped up this month to raise awareness for two separate causes, both of which share equal importance in our society. See how they’re making a difference here.

Inspired to make a difference in the lives of others, two Stanthorpe locals are putting their best foot forward in raising awareness on causes near to their hearts.

LIFTING THE LOAD

Stanthorpe Rural Fire Brigade volunteer firefighter Hugh Strong is carrying the weight this month in support of the Lift the Load challenge.

The challenge works to raise awareness of young men who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health and requires participants to wear a 10kg weighted vest and walk at least 50km in the month of October.

Mr Strong said he was also completing the challenge in support of his fellow volunteers to raise awareness of the struggles faced by those men, women and their families.

“I’m very passionate about mental health and especially as a rural volunteer and working for Services Australia, you see what happens when we play catch up (with the mental health of young people),” he said.

“If you can deal with a root cause and give people that support, focus and purpose they need early, then it makes life easier for everyone.”

After almost a decade as a rural fire volunteer, Mr Strong said despite the well-established support programs offered within the service, many volunteers still slip through the cracks.

Earlier this year Mr Strong attended the Frontline Mental Health conference on the Gold Coast as a keynote speaker and made a point of discussing the mental health of rural volunteers.

“QFES and RFSQ have great mental health support networks with 24-hour counselling, but the object there is to open up the discussion at a ground floor level,” he said.

“It can’t be a case of being a man means shutting up, it needs to be a case of being a man means speaking up.”

Volunteer firefighter Hugh Strong is carrying the weight for both young men and his fellow volunteers struggling with their mental health. Photo: Contributed

The stigma around men’s mental health is unfortunately still quite common and something Mr Strong has seen affect his rural community.

“There is still a lot of the old attitude of ‘shutting up’ so you don’t talk about it or say that you have a problem,” he said.

“We’re at a point now where it’s a few years after the Stanthorpe fires and this is where things like PTSD start to manifest, particularly if you experience trigger moments.

“Those trigger moments can be enough to send someone down that rabbit hole, we’ve got to be able to speak up and say that we’re not doing great to our first officers and find out where we can access those services.”

Mr Strong said he’s seen this stigma infiltrate at a commanding position level, which he believes is something that’s deterred a great deal of volunteers and members from speaking up.

“‘Have a cup of concrete and harden the f--k up’ is literally something I’ve heard (a first officer) say and that’s not acceptable in any way, shape or form,” he said.

“If I hear something like that I’m straight onto that first officer, which doesn’t win me any friends, but I would rather stand for what is right, than what is expedient.”

The Southern Downs is still facing a shortage of peer support officers, which Mr Strong hopes will improve as new emergency services reforms for rural and fire rescue services are introduced.

At only halfway through the month of October, Hugh has completed just under 40km and is more than confident he will exceed the set amount.

For anyone wanting to sponsor Hugh’s Lift the Load Challenge, follow the link here.

BIKING FOR KIDS WITH CANCER

Kylie Hutchin is determined to ride 200km around Stanthorpe this month to raise awareness for kids with cancer. Photo: Contributed

Inspired to make a change, even if it might only be small is the driving force behind Stanthorpe mother Kylie Hutchin’s decision to ride 200km to raise awareness for Kids with Cancer.

“I saw the fundraiser on Facebook and thought to myself, well I already ride my bike to work each day, I might as well do it for a good cause,” she said.

In less than two weeks Ms Hutchin has eagerly completed 65km in her rides to work and around the streets of Stanthorpe, narrowly avoiding the magpies.

“I reckon I’ll crack the 200km, hopefully I do, and I may even go over if I know I can get 25km up in one day,” she said.

Ms Hutchin said she was determined to complete the challenge no matter how sore her leg muscles become, or how many magpies she has to fend off.

With plenty of time to go, Kylie has now racked up a steady 73km. You can sponsor her here.

Originally published as Stanthorpe residents Hugh Strong, Kylie Hutchin raising awareness for a good cause