More blokes seeing hope with Tradies In Sight
BRUNO Efoti knew he’d hit a nerve when he founded support group Tradies In Sight, but while the organisation’s motto is “You’ll never walk alone”, he had no idea how many local tradies would walk with him.
He said the Workplace Wellbeing Seminar hosted last week by Tradies In Sight was amazing, with 70 people attending the evening.
“I was honoured and humbled to have so many people come, but also seeing them engaged in ways I had never seen before,” Mr Efoti said. “There were people who had never been to our event before, some of whom don’t have Facebook but found out from the paper,” he told Dubbo Photo News.
“They were blokes who have now started to open up and shared openly about their pain and it’s a humbling and raw thing to hear the realness of their ache.
“People felt comfortable and free to engage and ask really great questions, and you couldn’t help but be empathetic about their situation. You know they could see hope, they could see support and understanding,” he said.
Mr Efoti said the feeling surrounding the night was due largely to inspirational words from Riverbank Frank, a brilliant presentation from Dr Andrew Moreton and personal sharing from Paul Hausia.
“They were amazed at the initiative and said they’d have liked to have found out earlier so they can come and utilise the support,” Mr Efoti said.
“They see an amazing strategy being used to build community and promote deep connection which can open up more doors to acceptance and tolerance.
“It’s heart-wrenching to walk the hard journey with these blokes, but I know that this is only the beginning of a pathway to healthier and happier families and subsequently communities,” he said.
Already the fledgling organisation has got high-powered backing, with NSW’S Minister for Mental Health Bronwyn Taylor coming to town to attend the night along with Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders.
Mr Efoti said a special thanks had to be given to Dr Andrew Moreton for making himself available to facilitate such a great night.
“I’ve known Andrew for more than 20 years, he’s a down-toearth family man, a fantastic speaker and I dare say that he’s probably the best speaker and communicator I’ve ever heard,” Mr Efoti said.
“Andrew studied medicine in Brisbane and after graduating and working in Brisbane hospitals he moved to Bourke as a family medicine trainee along with his wife Karen. They spent the next 15years in Bourke raising three children before moving to Dubbo.
“Andrew is passionate about holistic care and has been actively involved in medical education for more than 20 years – he teaches medical students and GP registrars and has special interest in mental health and counselling,” he said.
The evening was all about learning skills to not only assist managing personal mental health, but also issuing people with the skills needed for them to help their families and employees.
Mr Efoti has built up a solid team of supporters and workers who’ve become an integral part of Tradies In Sight and said he wanted people to know the seminar wouldn’t have been the success it was without Paul Hausia’s live music and emceeing skills, and Jenna Haase’s work organising the lucky door prizes.
He said the support from the National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG), Headspace and Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) for attending and showcasing their amazing services was also a critical factor in the night.
“Last but not least, thanks to my beautiful wife Jo for her tireless work behind the scenes, I really couldn’t do this without her,” Mr Efoti said.
“I really do hope that everyone enjoyed the night and therefore took away some great tips to help in hard times.”