Suicide Prevention Network
At the SOS Copper Coast held annual general meeting at the Kadina Youth Centre on 19 November 2019, David Boots was re-elected for another term as Chairperson, and presented a comprehensive wrap up of successful activities undertaken during the year.
Another highlight of the evening was farewelling two outgoing Executive Members, Vice Chair Chris Walsh and Media Officer Rosemary Cock.
After the formalities on the night, supper and drinks were enjoyed where David spoke of the pair’s achievements and contributions to the group, Chris over four years as an inaugural group member, and Rosemary since 2017.
Chair David also presented a comprehensive annual report which highlighted the committee’s significant number of achievements in 2019 (see below, excerpts from the report).
Also re-elected on the night for another term was inaugural hard working Secretary Gerry Guerin.
Newly elected Deputy Chair was Peter Sims, and Treasurer Enid Yuill continued in her role.
Excerpts from the 2019 Annual Report
Community activities over the last 12 months included staging the stage show CARPE DIEM (three sessions), running the “Save Our Mates” men’s wellbeing breakfast, conducting “Accidental Counselling” training (Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast), distributing the YP 2019 Calendar featuring stories from local residents across the YP and the QPR training information, and promoting the “ifarmwell” materials and website to farmers (coordinated by Gerry Guerin).
SOSCC had a very successful stall at the YP Field Days where our website was formally launched by Mayor of Copper Coast Council Mrs Roslyn Talbot. Resources distributed to the public included from RUOK, Yourtown, Kid’s Helpline, Mates in Construction, Rural Minds, Beyond Blue.
We promoted and hosted a 2-day accredited workshop on dealing with Indigenous Domestic Violence (also conducted by Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast) and also presented an evening course on “Self Harm Awareness” training (presented by a senior project officer from the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist and coordinated by Chris Walsh).
Wreaths were also laid by members at Remembrance Day services in Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo, to recognise the returned services personnel who returned from war service, but found life at home too difficult to handle
Communication Activities
David sincerely thanked our local mass media outlets, the YP Country Times and GULF FM for their on-going support and coverage of our activities.
Our major communication achievement this year was the launch of our new website and the complementary promotional fridge magnets, projects funded by a major grant from Country SA PHN and coordinated by Rosemary Cock.
Our Facebook traffic increased significantly during the year, an Instagram presence was commenced, and the latest data shows our website mental health support search facility was used 550 times in its first 10 weeks.
Other communication activities included creating new signage for our front gate and building; purchasing lifebuoys for use at local events (printing donated by Earl Signs) and vests embroidered with the SOS logo for members to wear at local events; and acquiring the giant cut out picture frame for social media promotion.
Youth Centre
The YOUTH CENTRE has been a major activity over the last 12 months and has had 1250 visitations by youth to date.
In January, BANK SA funded a youth workshop by international artist Caper Creative, and in April the Minister for Human Services the Hon. Michelle Lensink MLC toured the Youth Centre.
A major ongoing project is converting the centre’s outside space to include a basketball area. We thank the Kadina Memorial School Construction Class for undertaking the planning and labour, and in particular David Boots and Malcolm Millard for the hours spent on this project.
We must recognise the support by teacher Andrew McDonald, Matt Hopkins from Moonta Building & Landscape supplies and the Copper Coast Council.
An adjacent area is about to be established as a garden space for use by the KMS flex unit to allow students to do units of work based on gardening.
Chair David Boots extended sincere thanks to all the community volunteers who have assisted with the running of the Copper Coast Youth Centre.
GSA
In May a committee was formed to establish a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) to provide a safe homophobia free space for LGBTIQA+ youth and their straight allies to meet and socialise
This committee is comprised of parents, SAPOL representatives, representatives from Uniting Country SA and LGBTI representatives.
The YP Country Times made an historic move to produce a four-page feature in the paper on being LGBTI on the Yorke Peninsula. Much of it was focused on the work of our GSA.
A Grant from Minister for Human Services funded the group to participate in the Adelaide Pride March earlier this month.
Training
Chris Walsh, Gerry Guerin and David Boots attended the Network of Networks meeting involving representation of Suicide Prevention Networks around the state. They also participated in the Rural Minds training held locally in Kadina.
Chris Walsh later participated in the “Roses in the Ocean” training in Port Pirie, and David Boots completed training workshops in the “Mindframe” project and undertook a refresher course of his Youth Mental Health First Aid certification.
Advocacy
David Boots participated in a State Government Ministerial Round Table with Ministers and staff from Human Services, Health and Education, and also met with Copper Coast Council Mayor, Ros Talbot and CEO, Russell Peate for preliminary discussions to help drive the planning and creation of a new Local Service Providers Network
Photo: Chair David Boots farewells outgoing Deputy Chair Chris Walsh (right) and Media Officer Rosemary Cock