The Power of Community: Supporting One Another Through Life’s Challenges
By Xavier Hernandez
I would like to begin this month’s column by saying a heartfelt thank you to all our Australian Indian Times readers who have taken the time to speak with me and share their thoughts about my column. It is wonderful to hear that the topics I cover are giving people something to think about, learn from and discuss. Your feedback is invaluable. It also reminds me that while social media is an important way of staying connected, print media is still valued, respected and an important part of our community.
A special thank you to JD and Sandy Deo, along with the entire Australian Indian Times team, for their continued commitment to keeping our communities informed, connected and part of the conversation.
As I write this month’s column, events around the world remind us how quickly life can change and how important it is to stand together during times of tragedy.
I ask our readers to keep in their thoughts and prayers everyone affected by the devastating disaster along the Nepal–Tibet border. On 26 August, a catastrophic glacial collapse in the Himalayas triggered a massive surge of water, mud and debris, causing widespread destruction and leaving many people missing. Among those missing are people from the Indian diaspora, Australians and many more.
We have also seen significant volcanic activity in Guatemala, reminding us once again of the power of nature and the importance of looking after one another. For me, this is a reminder that our communities extend far beyond where we live. A simple prayer, a message of support or an act of kindness can mean so much to someone experiencing unimaginable loss.
This month, I continue that conversation by looking at the real-life impact community organisations can have, the importance of supporting carers and how funding can better reach those providing support on the ground.
Now, this is Part 5 of my interview with Cr St Ledger, Councillor for Division 4, City of Logan.
Xavier Hernandez:
When you’ve seen firsthand how early intervention and community support can help people?
Cr St Ledger:
One that really stands out, and I talk about it a bit, is our ACFC golf days. They’re charity days and they always sell out. So you’ve got roughly 72 people there. The whole idea of the day is to have an enjoyable day, give people time to have a chat with their mates, but also for people to look around and realise that there’s always help and support there.
After one of those events, we had a fella’s wife send us a message and just say, “Thank you.
Thank you for the day. Thank you for what you did for my husband. It’s the first time he’s ever spoken to me about how he feels. I feel like I’m going to get my husband, and my kids are going to get their father back.”
So, things like that are really powerful.
Xavier Hernandez:
How important is it to recognise the mental health of carers?
Cr St Ledger:
Yeah, no, most definitely. Over the last 18 months to two years, I’ve been lucky to come across another charity group, Arafmi, that do amazing work in the space that you talk about.
I think that’s a really vital thing in the mental health space: don’t try to do everything yourself, and you don’t need to. Be open to talking, and you’re not competing with other organisations. You’re all in this for the same reason.
We only do what we do at ACFC to genuinely help other people. It’s not about money, it’s not about recognition; it’s about being able to help other people and to bring those suicide rates down.
Arafmi’s wheelhouse for a lot of what they do is supporting carers. And not carers as far as paid carers, but carers like young people caring for parents who might be suffering from mental illness, parents caring for young people, and people caring for their partners.
They do respite, training and all kinds of things. So, with that sort of support, linking people in with an organisation like Arafmi is amazing.
Xavier Hernandez:
If you could change one thing, what would it be?
Cr St Ledger:
Well, there’s… I was actually talking to someone about this the other day.
I would love to change the way that funding is received and distributed, and have guidelines around really big organisations.
By empowering and getting more people on the ground rather than less bums on seats in offices, we need more boots on the ground doing real support.
Because you can’t beat life experience. People with life experience, with some training and some education behind them, can make a real difference in this space.
So, I’d love to see something done around that.
End of Interview
On a different note. A special acknowledgement also goes to all the community groups that hosted an Indian Independence Day celebration. I was very fortunate to continue volunteering at the iconic GOPIO Brisbane India Independence Day celebration by volunteering at the GOPIO stall.
What truly made my day was seeing the number of people from all walks of life who attended, laughing, dancing and simply enjoying the warm Brisbane weather. I loved handing out beanies donated by Mission Possible, decorating the stall, selling raffle tickets and much more. But it was the hugs and thank-yous that I appreciated the most.
This year, I was delighted to walk with the banner and team and, of course, have a dance on stage with former president Usha Chandra OAM and the team.
In addition, thank you to Mukesh Dubey for hosting the fabulous Dandiya Night at Greater Springfield. This was such a bright, colourful and incredible night. It was great to volunteer for a team who loves our vibrant Australian Indian community as much as I do.
Also, thank you to Neetu from the Hariyanvi Welfare Association, as well as Desi Mums Brisbane and the Gold Coast, who recently welcomed so many people from different community groups to their India Day celebrations.
So, I finish this article by wishing all the fathers out there, father figures, and those who are doing the job of both mum and dad, a very happy Father’s Day, and of course, a happy Grandparents’ Day.
Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, especially that of our mentors. Thank you, JD, and your family for being such great mentors to me and other young people in the community.
