In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Mitch who won the Premiers 2016 Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards.
Few people have the drive and dedication of Mitch McPherson. When his younger brother Ty took his own life in 2013, Mitch, a glazier by trade, turned the devastating loss into the successful suicide prevention charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.
Since then, Mitch the 2016 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year, has spoken to over 600 events and is dedicated to spreading the message that nothing is so bad that you can’t talk about it. Through partnering with key community groups, businesses and sporting identities SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY educates Tasmanians on the issues surrounding mental health and has over 24,500 likes on its Facebook page, and this support continues to grow daily.
In this episode:
- Mitch talks about his suicide prevention charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY
- Hear what winning the Award has done for Mitch
- Mitch talks about his experience as a judge for the Awards
Links
Need to talk to someone – Call Lifeline 13 11 14
Connect with Mitch on Facebook and Stay ChatTY on Facebook
Connect with Mitch on Instagram and Stay ChatTY on Instagram
Check out the SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY website
For speaking engagements contact Mitch here
Follow us on our Inspirational.Australians Instagram Page
Want to nominate someone? (It can take as little as 2 minutes to recognise someone making a difference)
Like some more information on Corporate Partnership?
Transcript
Annette:
Welcome to the inspirational Australian podcast, where we chat to people, making a difference in their communities and in the lives of others. And here is your host for today, Geoff Griffin.
Geoff:
My guest today epitomises courage and selflessness in the face overwhelming grief. Mitch McPherson lost his younger brother to suicide in 2013, amidst mourning and heartache he turned grief into hope to so many others in need when he started SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY. It’s such an honor to have you on the podcast, Mitch particularly in a very challenging time at the moment. Welcome.
Mitch:
Glad to be here. Thank you very much for having me.
Geoff:
Absolute privilege, mate. Mitch your story is truly inspiring, talks us through early stages of how SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY came to be.
Mitch:
Yeah. Well, thank you again for having me on board. Certainly a great initiative this given the COVID times and I’m really pleased to be able to jump on here and, and talk about my story, which is hopefully I think the whole idea for you guys is to inspire other people and get people getting out of their comfort zone, probably in looking to find the things that they’re really great at to better the world.
SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY. I usually do share my story for about 45 minutes. So it’s hard in a couple of minutes to sort of talk about how SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY came about. In a nutshell, seven years ago I was living off seven and a half years ago. I was living a pretty carefree life as a Glazier by trade and didn’t have too many worries in the world. I had a loving girlfriend and mates, I love sport and a good job, good paying job, good people around me but soon turned out that I was missing one pretty key ingredient in my life. And I was watching out for others a lot more than what I thought I was pretty good at it, but it turns out that I wasn’t as good at it as what I thought now, I led a pretty ignorant life when it came to mental health.
On the 14th of Jan in 2013, we got the news that as you said, months ago that my little brother died of suicide, we started in taking the time off and certainly turned our world upside down. You know, all the emotions that people felt when they lose someone they love. But hey, suicide goes to another level, you know, grief, sadness and guilt will hit you like a ton of bricks. And it’s really hard to fathom and understand how someone you love so much. And we’re so close. We had struggled so much and not spoken to you about it. So we worked through those difficult times and the grief and tried to push through and rally together as best we can.
I eventually, you know, had experienced so much sadness around, you know, by myself and my own family. My mom in particular, my dad, I just remember one day after having a chat with mama, I drive back down to my dad’s place. And I thought, you know what, I want to put a stop to the pain and the sadness. And I want to try and turn this around and maybe by talking about what we’re experiencing, we can prevent all the people from feeling the exact same grief and pain. So yeah, came up with a car bumper sticker, which is SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY. It’s a little pair of shorts. We added my little brother’s name Ty in it, SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY, obviously. The idea was just to get some car sticker is out there and you know pay tribute to Ty. I set up a Facebook page and just want to put a bit of a positive spin on this really dark period of our lives that we were in.
And long story short Geoff, fast forward seven and a half years SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY is now pretty well known organization in Tasmania. We’ve got about eight staff, government funding, funding from the tax community fund. We’ve got three or four programs across the state. I basically jumped on planes now and travelled the country when COVID is not around and share my story. And yeah, I’m a public speaker for mental health and suicide awareness. And you know, I feel I’m immensely grateful every day that I get to lead this life now filled with purpose. And I wake up every day. I’m feeling grateful that I get to contribute positively to the lives of other people around the country, but I never get complacent and I never have a day where I don’t think of what we would rather and done and wish I knew what I know now about mental health, because I strongly believe that he would still be here with us today, but I hope that sharing my story and talking about our ignorance and our lack of knowledge, prevents others from, as I said, experiencing this pain and being there for themselves and others should they need to.
Geoff:
Mitch, I can’t comprehend the sadness that you and your family experienced and how that must’ve affected your lives at that time still to this day, of course, but how you honor your brother now through what you’re doing that would make him so extraordinarily, and I’m sure he is, looks down on you. It’s so extraordinarily proud of the people that you’ve helped. The network that you’ve developed, the difference that you make is truly extraordinary. And I’ve had the privilege of experiencing coming across, only touching your story over the past years. So thank you well done to you and you have never done anything in your life to look for acknowledgement or reward or acknowledgement, but I know it would have been a real privilege to have been nominated in 2015 for the Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards. Of course you went on to win the Heather and Christopher Chung Community Service Award at that time. Can you tell us just a little bit about feelings and the experience that you may remember came back at the gala awards presentation on the night with 400 other people there?
Mitch:
Yeah, it was interesting to reflect, and this is half the reason why I was really pleased to jump on and do this. I mean, awards I’ve always said, I graded the time and they’re great because they shine a lot on our organization. I’ve always said that, but it’s funny, you know, it’s been what, four or five years since that. And you know, when I knew I was jumping on with you today, it’s nice to reflect and think about those, those moments and, and winning those awards. And I suppose for me, I’d worked pretty hard since mid 2013 to make myself known. I say myself, because that’s all to SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY was back then. I was just a young budding trainee out there, just trying to spread the word, you know, trying to, to talk about mental health and suicide and prevent others from going through what I’d been through.
And it sort of transitioned pretty quickly partnered with relationships, Australia Tasmania, and then all of a sudden, you know, we were not established, but a lot of people were starting to talk about it. So there were multiple things in the paper and we’d get on the news for themes. And I think I remember sitting there that night and we took a table of our committee on the SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY committee and their wives and husbands and I remember someone saying, you know Mitch, this is pretty cool. You know, that we’re here as a team and you have a chance to win an award in your home state. I know that, you know, and I remember them saying, I know it’s not why he set out to do it, but it’s pretty cool for our organization. And yeah, I always carry that with me.
I think that if we win awards, I win personal awards that it’ll shine back on the Stay ChatTY. And I remember, you know, on the stage that night and then winning again a year later that saying, I want people to hear about our organization and not just think that that’s a great thing he’s doing, but go away and learn more about mental health itself and let it be a reminder that suicide is a big issue in our state and in our country. And you have added change that while educating yourself a little bit around mental health.
Geoff:
Mitch. I remember on the nights you saying to the audience in your acceptance speech that winning the award was a privilege, but also it was an acknowledgement for the work that your team were doing to make a difference. And you really made it about the team and the message of course, which is absolutely spot on and why it’s such a special guy. You touched on the fact that in 2016, you went on to win the St Luke’s Health, Healthier Communities Award. Now for people who are listening, you can’t win the same award twice that you were then nominated in an alternate award and another really appropriate award, the healthy communities award you’re not only won the award. You then that year 2016 went on to win the ultimate accolade, the Premiers Young Achiever of the Year, which was very well deserving and such a privilege for us to be part of the program that shares the opportunity for others to raise awareness of what they’re doing and community for the services that you have to offer, which is so invaluable, what impacts and benefits is winning the awards provided for you and Stay ChatTY?
Geoff
Yeah, so I mean another pretty cool night. I mean, winning the before and then coming back. And then, the year before I’d stood on the stage, when they read out the Premier’s Award and I’ll go with that. I definitely didn’t even, you hadn’t even thought of that. So to be up there the next year and then to win, that was, um, yeah, incredibly special. And I can’t remember what my exact acceptance speech that night was, but probably would have been a bit of a jumbling mess to be honored in that way. It was really special. Again, that really you know, I think there was a big write up in the Mercury again and the news and all that sort of stuff. And again, shown a lot of them stay chatty, but I mean, five years on, we just signed another three year deal partnering with St. Luke’s, you know, it started a really important partnership for our organization. I remember having some coffees with their leaders in the weeks following the award. And then we had a three year partnership that worked really well together. And on the last couple of months, we’ve done that again for another three years. And there’s a lot of synergies between St. Lukes and SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY, you know, focusing on the physical and mental health of people across the state. So when I looked back, you know, it was great to win trophies and there was some cash there. And that’s obviously right at 26 years of age with 25 years. But, um, fast forward now, you know, seven years on, you know, that relationship with buildings that looks has created so many opportunities for our organization. You know, with working schools and sporting clubs and, and workplaces partnering with them, various events together, it’s been a really solid foundation for us in a great organization to partner with.
So yeah, upon reflection, that would definitely be the biggest positive to come out of that award. And we, you know, we’re going to say to people about nominating, t’s not just standing up on stage and, you know, getting an acceptance speech and winning cash and, and being recognized yourself. You know, you have to look at it from that perspective that they’re just sending you opportunities. You know, the people I met and the relationships I’ve made, you know, with yourself, Geoff, and we’ll talk about the judging in a moment, you know, and it just led to countless amounts of opportunities, which is yeah, it just really been fantastic and I’m still really proud to be associated with the awards today,
Geoff:
Right? It’s been, as I said, a privileged to be part of a small, very small follower in your journey, and you really have given back as well as you do Mitch. You’re just an extraordinary guy. You’re an inspiration, a real role model for others. But since winning the awards, you’ve also given back by being an executive judging panel member, not just the first year after winning the Premier’s Award, it gained for our listeners. We invite across the country in each state, the Premier’s Young Achiever of the Year, or The Young Achiever of the Year to sit as an executive judge to help us judge all of the nominations, of course, get them down to the finalists and the winners in each category. But then you came back to the two years thereafter, cause you really don’t want to put words in your mouth, but enjoyed the privilege of acknowledging and reading these stories and making difference for others. You of course attended each awards event thereafter so that you can be there to inspire others and be a part of the celebration of our young people. Would you encourage our listeners to nominate someone or be able to nominate themselves?
Mitch:
Yeah, a hundred percent. Being a judge has been so funny to see it on that side of the fence, you know, that these guys were in the room discussing the years ago, whether I should win and yeah, being a judge is a real privilege. It is. You did say that. I would probably say that. And that is a word that I was thinking. I just think sitting there and having, you know around another incredible group of people to decide who wins and who takes away the awards is a really great honor. and I think big picture as well. You know, I like to think of not just the person doing the work in their space and what they’re achieving, but I like to think of someone who’s going to grab that opportunity with both hands. Once they walk out the doors of rest point or wherever that event’s been, you know, and who’s going to network and who has a potential to grow their initiative into something really big and amazing and going to change and better many lives across Tasmania.
So that’s how I feel. And that’s why it’s important that I, you know, I know people have been nominated. Haven’t probably even made the top three, but, you know, even to be nominated and walk up on stage and grab a certificate, I see the pride in their faces and they take their families along. And you know, if I didn’t win awards, I like to think I’d still be doing this, but I know that it certainly gave me that kick along with me, you’re on a good day and people are noticing that. And that’s really special. So I think to nominate someone don’t think that they might not, they might not want to I think definitely do it because it will only inspire them to do a bit more with the work they’re doing.
Geoff:
Absolutely brilliantly said, Mitch is all about acknowledging people who are not looking to be acknowledged. People do what they do because it needs to be done like yourself. But to get that validation is really important. So in fact, our Community Achievement Awards are open right now across the country, in every state. And if any of our listeners would like to nominate someone or want to inquire, you have a chance to really help somebody who’s making a difference by acknowledging that work, the organization that they’re involved in and subsequently the broader community can find out more about services that are on offer in local communities. So if anybody wants to make a nomination, go to awardsaustralia.com and check out the categories in the relevant state and get on board right now. And of course the Young Achiever Awards also open in just a few months in October, which is just a moving aside fractionally. What’s something about Mitch McPherson that we might not know?
Mitch:
Oh, you don’t know about me. Well, you might not know that I’m pretty frustrated Carlton supporter. I asked her, how’s it been going the last couple of weeks? I mean, I know that we’ve turned the corner as a footie club. I strongly believe that, but still frustrating to be losing. Oh, having honorable losses as a Carlton supporter is pretty frustrating, I suppose, a party trick. And I know you probably go and ask me, I can say words backwards, so it’s quite strange, but people throw a word at me. I can generally say it as long as it’s not too hard, backward denim and it’s a little party trick I have. So yeah. Very interesting aren’t I.
Geoff:
So can you say awards backwards? The roller, well, mate, that’s a unique talent, unique talent. I’m not sure what’s going to benefit you too much in your life. That high, that is a party trick. I’ll give you that then. Of course, your wife and yourself have a little baby, not that long ago. So that’s maybe something
Mitch:
Talk about challenges. I mean talk about COVID-19 and the last four months for everyone’s life, we would do to have Maya who was born on the 27th of March, around that time I played cricket a week before and dislocated my knee and sort of crutches when she was born, had surgery three days after she was born. And I doubt going and had surgery again for the first, probably six weeks of her life. I was, well, we were stuck at home because of COVID and then I was sort of sleeping on the couch and couldn’t really help too much. Cause I was you know, I had all my knee strapped up and couldn’t really put any pressure on it. So that was a challenging time being locked in, not having any visitors to the hospital, but then also a house you know, within brand new baby at home that presented some, certainly some challenges for my wife and I, but, um, yeah, what happens when you go through a challenge is I like to think you sort of grow stronger from that and reflect on them as a time that you were able to bond together and get cracking and get things done.
Maya is nearly four months old. And yeah, everyone always said to me, um, when you become a dad, it’ll be the greatest thing ever. And you know, sort of an easy guy that he’s always on the go and sorta for a year. Right. And we’ll see how that goes, but, um, she’s totally taken over my life. And um, when I’m, when I’m not home, I’m taking over, I’m looking at photos and trying to FaceTime my wife and annoy hers o I can see Maya and, uh, yeah, being a daddy is definitely my greatest achievement and something I’m really proud of. I’m proud of my wife she does an amazing job. So we feel very lucky to have a little child it’s definitely the best thing ever.
Geoff:
Absolutely. I couldn’t agree more having children for those that have children will know. It is an experience beyond that, which you can put into words and it’s a real privilege as well. Of course. And Mitch, I should just add, uh, and fess up sides. I’m actually a Port Adelaide supporter. So, so, so, um, you know, one man’s grief is another man’s joy. So yeah, I guess this will put a timeline on our chat.
Mitch:
You’re lucky you didn’t tell me the other day, Geoff. I probably wouldn’t have jumped on today after yesterday, but that’s my bad.
Geoff:
I can confirm also that when we watch the replay straight after the game, port won again, but very unlucky five, 10, five particularly well, bad luck that we digress.
Mitch:
We can talk about footie all day, but we better not.
Geoff:
Mitch you have spoken at 600 or more events. You’ve got 24 and a half thousand Facebook followers. What are the driving passions for Mitch achieving such awesome results?
Mitch:
It changes a lot. Uh, I definitely surround myself, you know, the team and having new people coming in all the time, um, draws me, you know, they’re passionate and they sort of rejuvenate SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY and have fresh ideas. And it’s great for me to see just, you know, lawyers and nurses. And we’ve got people that have got those qualifications giving up their career to come and work with us. And that for me, really drives me and makes me think we’re on the right page. I definitely, you know, doing 600 and causing it on, I think 650 talks, you know, I still want to think to myself sometimes, you know, why do you continue to put yourself through this? You know, I really live the worst thing that ever happened to me in my life when I do my presentation. But, um, I’m still reminded not every day, but, um, every week or every couple of weeks that people are still taking their life around the country and, you know, from they, I always feel a real great sense of sadness when I hear that, obviously, because I, I feel for the person that’s their life, a few in particular for the family that are left behind.
And when I do that, I can’t help, but think about my own parents and think about the life I lead now and how they are both different and how they both grieve every day differently. But, um, it has affected them. And now in, you know, losing their jobs, suicide of me when I think of them, uh, I find, you know, a new found sort of strength if you like to continue doing my presentation, because I know that that will hopefully save other people and open your eyes to that, that one person sitting in the crowd that’s struggling, that needs to ask for help, or that is ignorant. And doesn’t understand that someone under their own roof is going through a tough time. So, um, yeah, I think that’s, for me, you know, I’m heavy in the middle of suicide and mental health. I’m an advocate for it. So therefore people turn to me when, um, they might lose someone. And that’s my big reminder that there’s still people out there that don’t know where there’s help, or they don’t know that their son or their wife was struggling. And I need to ask them all that says to me, that’s a real driving force and I’m a tool that can sort of burns out or I’ll keep doing it and keep trying to respond. I tell you to keep creating as much change as we can.
Geoff:
And as was said before, I mentioned such an important work that you’re doing. I was a little surprised when I saw a stat the other day that said with all the deaths of COVID-19 around the world, the suicide is as to has more deaths than COVID-19, that’s a staggering, sad, sad, terrible, terrible statistic, and you are really making a difference and we could all do a little bit can’t we?
Mitch:
Yeah, a hundred percent. I mean, those stats, um, yeah, I, I, I personally, I try not to, I try and stay positive. I know there’s stats flying around and they, I, I devastating if you really have a good look at them. Um, but I think that’s, what’s going to be an important time, you know, post COVID and I say, post COVID, because Victoria is still right in the middle of it. But, um, I think moving forward, there’s going to be some real issues with, you know, financial and, you know, people struggling, you know, everyone’s going to be, you know, everyone’s been affected by this in different ways. And I think mental health needs to be a focus scene, work prices at sporting clubs and ending schools, the young people whose parents might be struggling just to educate them on how to have a difficult conversation or where to go if they need some support. So we do need to rally together. We need to show kindness. Um, we need to be empathetic to each other and understand that we’ve all experienced. These seem a different why, because it is. Yeah. I don’t think we’re saying that the last or even the beginning of the challenges that we as a society are going to face post COVID.
Geoff:
Absolutely. Since I was 20 years old, Mitch, I’ve had, I’ve made a challenge for myself. That was a long time ago, by the way, uh, I’ve set a challenge to pay five compliments a day, particularly to people who I feel need them. Uh, and I’ve maintained that five every day of my life for, um, for a long time. And when we’re locked down, my wife gets lots of compliments.
Mitch:
I was going to say, what do you do in lockdown? I mean, there are things like, I always say hello to people. When I walk around the streets, you know, down here in Hobart, you know, walk around. And I like to just keep my head up and I might not always be the best mood or the best, best state mentally myself. But I think that a smile goes a long way and it reinforces that to anyone. You know, that people there is someone out there that cares because so many of us thinks that the worries on our shoulders are in our mind. No one wants to hear them and no one wants us to get better. But I think just little reminders to each other, um, you know, compliments, acts of kindness, holding a door, saying nice things that go further than what, you know, they’re the things people think about when they put their head on the pillow over night and you can start filling people’s heads with that positivity and the positive vibes and, um, they’ll sleep better. And I got ready to go again the next day.
Geoff:
And we don’t know what other people have been through that day or in their lives. So our little smile is the same, which is so, so important. Some of our team are always ribbing means that people think it’ll read. I could just smile at everybody. You want to talk to every single person you see, you know, if you can make a difference in one person’s life, just a little, little way, then it’s worth it all. And I say that, no, I don’t mean worth at all because you do it naturally because you want to. And I really encourage all of our listeners to do what you do. And just be aware that smile speaking to someone, asking if they’re okay, you’re not going to offend people particular these days. It’s so important that we are aware of post COVID, but as you said, major people are really now and going to be struggling in further. So it’s just a really critical thing that you’re doing. And I believe so passionately about what you’re doing. And I’m so proud of you for the difference that you’re making Mitch. What, uh, I know you’ve got lots of exciting things that expanded. Are there any things now that you want to add and in particular what’s next for Mitch?
Mitch:
Yeah. Um, I definitely don’t want to do this forever. I still am really passionate about it and love my job and love who I work with. But I understand that, you know, I spoke earlier about that passion for standing up in public speaking, you know, I’m 33 this year and, uh, look relatively younger. I think while I’m told that I look younger than what I answer that sort of connects with young people, which is really important, but I know that I’ll grow. I will look older as I, as I move forward and, and want to do something different. I think organizationally we’re having some really exciting chats about moving into state, you know, our sports program, looking at, moving into Victoria early next year. And that’s really exciting. Um, but personally I love radio and I’m doing, um, I do a couple of local segments down here, um, you know, about on the radio station and looking to get into a couple of courses over the next few weeks and, uh, and start boarding my skills and seeing how I go with that.
I love chatting to people obviously and, uh, and really get a great Bible radio, find a lot of fun. So if I could find a way to make that, you know, some sort of my career moving forward, I’d be really excited by that. But, um, yeah, I’m not walking in anything just to, you know, focusing on my family and, um, and knowing that I’ve got a good job and realizing that I’ve got an important job over the next a wall, it was COVID goes away. Hopefully I’m educating as many people as we can to get the support that they need. So, yeah, that’s where I’m at.
Geoff:
It’s pretty exciting. I was thinking a little bit earlier when you were talking about how do you stay positive? You know, you must come across some fairly dark, uh, scenarios and stories, and you’re always talking to people, uh, that and trying to bring them up, I guess, and focusing on that issue, how do you stay point? How do you stay or keep your spirits up?
Mitch:
Yeah, well, I’ve learned to get better at that for the first few years of working with SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY and still get pretty inundated with messages of people asking for support or people reaching out if they’ve lost someone, et cetera. And I love that and I never want it to stop, but I’ve just learned to, um, have family time, you know, I’d come home and I’d check my emails and do stuff all night, every day, you know, social media. And, you know, now having a team I’m fortunate that, you know, we all share the load with social media and I realized that it’s important and I don’t always do it now. I don’t always get it right. But work has to stay during work time. And it’s important to try and let, let that go. Um, all the night time and focus on those things that are important.
But, um, I just started getting involved in everything as much as I would love to. And what I used to do back in the day, I’d say yes to everything, I’d say yes to every presentation requests that would come across my desk. And, um, now I, you know, make sure I need to do one or two talks a week maximum. Um, and I’ll just look out for myself and, and I’d try to lead by example when speaking up. I only recently last week, you know, someone in the community down here, passed away a young guy, um, at a couple of random dreams about my brother and, you know, grief raise its head. Um, at any time, you know, it doesn’t come at certain times and lets you prepare for it. It just rises whenever it wants to. And I realized it was important to tell my wife and my colleagues and my teammates and, you know, open up about that. And that really helps me. So I feel that being open, knowing my limits, knowing what my boundaries is, is what really helps me. And as I said, talking about that, and I’m not afraid to tell you that, you know, that’s where I was at a couple of weeks ago, but speaking about it made me feel better and it’s important that we will try and do that
Geoff:
Inspirational, important words for everybody listening Mitch as well. Don’t be afraid to talk about it. We’re all humans, our faults and our difficulties. So talk about it, you know, and thank you for sharing because it’s so important for all our listeners to know as well. How can our listeners connect with you online or they want to get in touch or get involved in what you’re doing?
Mitch:
Yeah. So SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY and myself, we’re on the social. SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY is on Instagram and Facebook and same is myself, and then stay chatty website, www.staychatty.com.au, and still feel a bit uncomfortable with that it myself, but I have my own website, www.mitchmcpherson.com.au. So any speaking arrangements, you know, outside of Tasmania, I sort of work on those through my own personal website. So yeah, I’d love to connect. I’m always up for collaboration. I believe it’s a big, big way to create change when you collaborate and listen to what other people have to say. So I’m certainly big on that. Anyone want, wants to connect.
Geoff:
Yeah, absolutely. And I think for any corporates listening who want to have someone talk to their team, their staff or their shareholders or clients would be, you’d be the ideal person to, um, to have on board. And they can kind of encourage everybody to get in contact with you may turn to find out more about what you’re doing, the show notes and the transcript of the interview, and that check today will be available for everybody. I want to get through the details that didn’t catch all the connect details. Do you have any final words of wisdom for our listeners you can recommend or suggest or encourage?
Mitch:
Words of wisdom, I think the two things I’m probably biggest on, uh, listening in on. So I think, um, you know, people often ask me to jump on these podcasts and talk about leadership, et cetera. Now it’s, what’s one thing that you’re really big on. And I think listening is really important. I think that as a leader, if you want to be a leader in anything you’re doing and you know, this especially goes for these young people that are up for Community Achievement Awards, you know, it’s important to listen to those around you and incorporate all parts of feedback to help you get to your goal that you want to get to. Um, I think kindness is really big. We just spoke about that a moment ago. A little things are really important, um, little positive things and never to forget that us as adults have those kids in that next generation underneath us watching, you know, and they’re soaking up everything we do.
So if you can leave them with a positive reminder on their mind, that’s really important. I suppose more specific to now Geoff would be the COVID stuff. I think as we go back to normal. And again, that’s not really you guys at the moment, but every other state is sort of finding their feet again for a while. It’s really important to understand that normal is different for everyone. I think we’ve all been hit by this in different ways. Um, you know, especially for young kids back at school, you know, some of their parents might not have been affected at all, but then there might be a couple of parents that are a lot of parents that don’t have a job anymore and things are tough financially. And so I think it’s important for parents to tell their kids that normally is different for everyone. Um, again now, and it will probably be like that for a very long time. So we need to show a lot of empathy and patients with each other, um, and always falls back to that corner. Do the small things, help each other through the best we can.
Geoff:
Uh, words of wisdom mate. Words of wisdom, definitely. I couldn’t agree more, tough times. Mitch it was an absolute privilege to have been able to get to know you, to work with you on the awards for the past few years, to call you a friend, you’re a true champion. You’re an inspiration, you’re a great bloke and you do extraordinary work. I hope every one of our listeners enjoyed the hearing your story, Mitch and the powerful message you share. Until next week, we look forward to you getting on board to listening again. If you want to hear the replay, getting those notes and please, uh, take on board what Mitch has had to say. Our podcast is about everyday people just like Mitch and me and our listeners. If you enjoyed the podcast, why not join the tribe and subscribe because together we make a difference. We’d also love for you to write us and review us. Mitch, Thanks for joining us today. It’s been a real privilege.
Mitch:
It has certainly been a privilege. I’m certainly very excited about the fact of still being involved. Hopefully with judging again very soon. So thanks so much for your time. We appreciate it.
Geoff:
Thanks mate! People can go to awardsaustralia.com/podcast to get Mitch’s notes. And we’re also thanking Annette, our producer for doing all the hard work behind the scenes and the much accomplished co-host Josh, who will be on next week. Thanks also to Heather and Christa Chung, of course, in St. Luke’s Health, we’re really making Mitch’s hours available and that the recognition to all of their nominees, and of course, all of our partners makes such difference in their support. I hope you enjoyed today’s interview as much as I have. We would love you to subscribe to our podcast so that you won’t miss an episode. Join us each week. As we talk with ordinary Australians, achieving extraordinary things.
Did you know that awards Australia is a family owned business. That proudly makes a difference in the lives of those that make a difference for others. And we think our corporate and not for profit partners to making our award programs possible. Do you know someone that’s making a difference or maybe your business might like to sponsor an award, contact us through our Instagram page, inspirational.australians or head to our website awardsaustralia.com would be great if you could share this episode with your network because who doesn’t like a good news story and please rate and review us. We would really love to hear your thoughts. Until next week, stay safe and remember together, we make a difference.
Annette:
Thanks for joining us today on the inspirational Australians podcast, we hope enjoyed listening and I’ve been inspired by ordinary Australians, achieving extraordinary things. So it’s goodbye for another week. Remember together, we make a difference.
