Hi Landcarers

A big thank you to the communities of the Parkes and Forbes Shires for welcoming Gus and Vicky Worland from Gotcha4Life last week.

We greatly appreciate the response from both Parkes and Forbes Shire Councils and are looking forward to the outlay of the Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman programs through all high school senior cohorts in the Parkes and Forbes Shires commencing in Term 1 2021.

After spending nearly two days with Gus and Vicky….my sum up of their intentions: The Gotcha4Life team are working towards the goal of ZERO suicides. They want to put Lifeline out of business and work on prevention through connection. They are doing this without Government funding and are working with some fantastic trainers, athletes and…famous people to raise awareness of the importance of working on your mental health, as you would your physical health.

Forbes Shire Councillors welcomed us to their meeting last week and it was encouraging to have so much positive feedback from Mayor Cr Phyllis Miller OAM and her fellow Councillors. This was also a fantastic opportunity for Gus and Vicky (and myself) to hear more about the fantastic projects that are progressing in the Forbes Shire.

Our guests were shown around the Forbes Wiradjuri Cultural Centre by Elder Aileen Allen. Aileen explained how the Centre came to be and the programs that are running each week. We checked out some of the fantastic plants that have been growing since our National Tree Day event there three years ago. A big thanks to Aileen.

Due to already having several big days out in the Central West, I thought that the Worlands would appreciate a cool afternoon drink and check out Carrawobitty Homestead. It is pretty special to have a magnificent piece of history in our area. Monica and Ken had to activate their frog retrieval action plan….for a blue tongue that was having a dip in the pool as we arrived….just another day in the country.

It was a pleasure to introduce Vicky and Gus to Parkes Shire Councillors, firstly at a meeting with Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM and Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton and then at the official opening of the Country Universities centre in Parkes. Another fantastic opportunity to share the amazing things that are happening in our area!

Another big thank you to our communities for embracing Gotcha4Life!

Find out more about Gotcha4Life here.

All of our pics are on social media @cwllandcare.