Our Last Meeting - Neil Collie - The Silver Fox Initiative

Sergeant Richard introduced "First time Chair" Sally
 
Sally welcomed guests Les Pontin from Cal-Pac and Speaker Neil to be introduced more formally later
 
Thanks for the photos Dave
President Deborah presented her Report
  • Trifecta tickets – Tracy has the roster
  • Pam has had an accident and has broken her wrist
  • Sixth of December for the Christmas function
  • Thanks Darryl
Tracy introduced Neil
 

The Silver Fox Initiative is a mental health health walking group
In 2025 they did a trek to the Himalayas
 

Neil's handout has a lot of skulls – he likes to get “back to basics”

Group of volunteers
Sunshine Coast, Morton, Ipswich
They like to open up conversations
"A normal conversation”
Not "Solve “, just “talk"

During Covid - needed a “name “
Political correctness suggested that the "hug initiative" wouldn't fly
"The Silver Fox will figure it out”

Working with “guys
Women, youth too
Working well

– Connecting
– "Last phone call”
What to say?
His experience climbing Mount Beerwah, his brian was not functional
“Don’t remember”
“Mother mountain”
Wind/backside/where am I?
How to get down?
Mountain closed
"I need help”

Rang the state emergency service – new job – 12 o'clock Work rang his wife

Best friend "felt him”
Hospital equals no
"Just talk”

He talked about a young girl with broken shoes. (he has a bit of a shoe fetish).
He posted her some shoes from the “Shoe Fairy”
“Back to happiness”

Sells crazy shirts
What's going on?

His son took his life a couple of years ago
Coffee day –World mental health day

Beerwah "That's me”
He struggles every day
"Needed permission to open conversation”
Make it normal
 
Sally noted that Christmas is "not always happy
Suncare – understand mental health

91-year-old - “make me laugh
What you can do
- You
- Person sitting next to you
- Community
 
Not to Judge or solve

Question from Tracey – volunteer training and mental health first aid

Question from Sally pathway I'm going to kill myself" answer. Get them help. In one instance he was involved with, it took two hours.

The coffee shop at Beerwah was discussed

United Kingdom – social prescribing for instance, a Gym voucher, or for a walking group

Richard had a story from the Jellyhead Unit P3
Acquired Brain Injury
High ropes course
"Be hanging around”
 

Sally thanked Neil

Les - this was a make up, “but
Homeless Sleepout  in June - last year he raised $10,000
Maybe us too?
40+ partners equals money
 
Directors
 
Elaine - guest speakers – collecting brochures
 

Jim - slideshow on Bohol -  last week they "cooked their first meal with biogas
He sold $707 worth of trifecta tickets
 
Dave “Just one thing
 
Sergeant Richard "on diet" lunchbox… Onion
And a pee testing Experience is which shouldn't be retold
 
Thanks Chris