Moranbah school chaplain Desley Kerr knows all too well the impact that domestic violence is having on children.

“A single-parent family had been hiding here for years — the child never having been to a park or shop or played with friends because of threats to their lives,” she shared.

“I know of people who have spent the night hiding outside in bushes because they didn’t feel safe to go into their own home.  Our children should never be too scared to be home!”

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Behavioural optometrist, father of three, grandfather of one, foster father to many, and
champion for victims of domestic violence, Sunshine Coast dad Darin Browne is your 2018
Queensland Father of the Year.

Darin’s daughter, Tara, nominated him for the award to recognise him for his dedication to
his family and helping others in need.

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By Steve Biddulph AM

Once upon a time people thought men were tough and thick-skinned, while women were tender and sensitive. But research into the development of boys shows that it’s males who are the vulnerable sex.

When a boy baby is still in the womb, his body starts making its own testosterone.  This helps him grow his male features, but it also has a remarkable effect on brain growth: it slows it down!

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Tantrums, trauma and tears were once part of the morning routine for Cleveland mum Tina and her daughters, Danneka and Natasha – both of whom suffer from anxiety and panic attacks.

Thankfully, your support means those dark days are becoming distant memories for the family, who have since found solace and solutions through their school chaplain Tanya, and the room at school she calls home – Yanggabarra.

“Yanggabarra is a local Quandamooka word, which translates to ‘a safe place to be’,” Chappy Tanya explains.

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BY YVETTE ATKINS

It’s often said, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. But it’s only recently that this adage really sunk in for me.

I’d just finished speaking with a very dear supporter whose husband had recently passed away. She’d called to let me know she was leaving a gift in her will to SU QLD.

She wasn’t seeking recognition or wanting anyone to make a fuss over her. In fact, she had no intention of letting me know until she was prompted by something she’d read.

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As you may recall from our Christmas Appeal last year, 17-year old Rheannan from Bundaberg was supported by her Chappy through flooding rains, her sister’s cancer diagnosis and her family’s financial strain.

As if that wasn’t enough, late last year Rheannan was diagnosed with a chiari malformation, a condition where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. As a result, she suffered through severe headaches and dizzy spells. Over time her symptoms continued to deteriorate. (more…)

You may recall the story of Violet and school chaplains Kylie and Sarah from earlier this year.

What we weren’t able to share with you at the time was the beautiful relationship Violet formed with a would-be classmate at Bald Hills State School.

In January 2016, Violet was to start Year 1. Instead, she was confined to Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital to begin cancer treatment.

Violet’s teacher kept a desk available in the Year 1 classroom in anticipation of her return.

Chappy Kylie set up a letterbox on Violet’s desk for her classmates to write letters of encouragement and support to give to her while she was in hospital.

At the desk next to Violet’s was a girl named Holly… (more…)

You may recall the story of Violet and school chaplains Kylie and Sarah from our recent End of Financial Year Appeal.

What we weren’t able to share with you at the time was the beautiful relationship Violet formed with a would-be classmate at Bald Hills State School…

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At just three years of age a healthy, happy Jamil suffered a grand mal seizure and was rushed to hospital. Six months later, he was diagnosed with epilepsy.

After Jamil started school, he would be further diagnosed with a range of complex learning disorders.

The news hit Jamil’s parents Frank and Veronica hard, particularly as they watched their son struggle with basic reading and writing.

Despite the multiple diagnoses, Jamil has been blessed with a loving family and a charming personality, which has helped him settle in and make friends at school.

While glad that his son had school friends, Frank’s prayer was for his son to find Christian friends too, particularly after hearing Jamil use some eyebrow-raising language at home.
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by Michelle Mitchell – founder of Youth Excel

Firstly, I’m not a health expert. I am, however, the founder of Youth Excel’s Counselling Centre which helps young people make positive life choices during difficult times.

One positive life choice we encourage is healthy eating. In short, we see a strong link between mood and food.

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