Queensland Day Reflection: Celebrating Local Champions and Mental Health Awareness
By Xavier Hernandez
Happy Queensland Day to all our Australian Indian Times readers.
In my view, we are all local champions, and I hope you can take a moment to give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. Whether you are a stay-at-home mum, a friend who takes the time to lend a listening ear, or someone who, like me, volunteers almost every weekend, I congratulate you.Too often, it is easy to believe that we are not doing enough, or that we need to meet a certain goal before our efforts are acknowledged. I am here to tell you that whatever your contribution may be, and however much you are able to give, it is enough. Here at the Australian Indian Times, we honour your contribution because we are all part of the solution and all play a role in strengthening our communities.
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, an important reminder that mental health matters for women, men, and young people alike. Last month, I introduced you to Cr. Nathan St Ledger, Councillor for Division 4 at the City of Logan. We discussed his journey, his passion for the Logan community, and his unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy.
Please enjoy Part Two of my interview with Councillor Nathan St Ledger, who continues to help break down barriers and encourage important conversations around mental health.
Part Two of the Interview
Cr. St Ledger and Xavier Hernandez
Xavier Hernandez: Are you able to tell readers more about mental health?
Cr. St Ledger: I’m fortunate enough to teach Mental Health First Aid, so I train people in recognising and responding to mental health challenges. The important thing to understand is that everyone has mental health—whether it’s good, whether it’s struggling, or somewhere in between. It’s about acknowledging that mental health is something we all have and something we all need to look after.
Mental health does not discriminate. It doesn’t matter who you are, your race, your background, or the colour of your skin. It can affect anyone. For me, it’s about spreading awareness and letting people know that support is available. It’s okay to face challenges, and it’s okay to reach out to someone for help.
Xavier Hernandez: Are you able to tell readers a bit more about ACFC?
Cr. St Ledger: A Chance for Change (ACFC) is a mental health and suicide prevention charity that was established in 2015. One of my best mates, Evan founded the organisation and got everything started. I came on board about nine months after they were up and running.
At the time, I was running some youth programs, and Evan came out to help us because we wanted to include a mental health component. We were already doing some work in this space, but I’ve always loved what ACFC stands for.
ACFC was formed by mates, for mates, to look out for your mates. That’s effectively what we’re here for. We lose around seven people a day to suicide in this country, which is far too many. Suicide continues a leading cause of death for males under 25, and that’s something we need to address.
Xavier Hernandez: What do you see happening around you. That we should all be aware of?
Cr. St Ledger: Young people today are facing challenges everywhere you look. The world is changing really fast, and we’re living in an instant-gratification culture where everyone wants everything immediately. We also spend too much time comparing ourselves to others.
If I could give anyone advice, it would be to surround yourself with good people and focus on simple, healthy daily habits. Being yourself is more than enough. Understanding that and embracing who you are is incredibly powerful.
Xavier Hernandez: Many Australian Indian Times have expressed their thoughts around social media. What are some of your thoughts around this space?
Cr. St Ledger: Social media isn’t always very social—it can often be the opposite. If you look at the way some people communicate online, many of them wouldn’t say those same things if they were sitting face-to-face with someone.
You’re always better off having a conversation than a confrontation. We spend so much time looking at screens that we can forget the value of genuine human connection. I’m probably in a glass house saying that, but sometimes we all need to put our phones down.
Young people need opportunities to connect face-to-face because that genuine human interaction is incredibly powerful and can do wonders for your mental health. Whatever your interests are, get involved. If you’re into Pokémon cards, join a Pokémon group. If you love football, play football. If you enjoy boxing, take up boxing. It doesn’t matter what it is—find your passion and pursue it.
Xavier Hernandez: Was there a defining moment or life experience that set you on this path?
Cr. St Ledger: From the ages of 11 to 14, I lost a cousin, an uncle, a neighbour, and a school teacher to suicide. That was four people in a very short period of time.
I’ve also had my own battles, which is something I never thought I’d openly talk about when I was younger. Those experiences taught me a lot.
When you see the devastation that suicide leaves behind, it really changes your perspective. When you look around and realise that we’re losing around seven people every day to suicide, it’s confronting. That’s nearly 50 people every week.
A lot of the time, people believe there’s no help available, but there is. There is always support out there. No matter how difficult things may seem, there is always someone willing to listen and help.
End of Interview
Over the coming months, I look forward to sharing more from my conversations with Cr. St Ledger and highlighting the important work he continues to do alongside many dedicated members of our community.
Save the date for one of Queensland’s premier multicultural celebrations. GOPIO Queensland proudly presents the Iconic India Day Fair 2026, to be held on Saturday, 15 August 2026, at Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane. Join thousands of people as we celebrate India’s Independence Day with a vibrant showcase of culture, community, diversity, and unity.
Another event that is very close to my heart is just around the corner, and I hope you can join us in celebrating our incredible multicultural community. This year, I will be racing with the St John’s Anglican College Dragon Boat Team, while my mum will be racing with the Vietnamese Community in Australia – Queensland Chapter Dragon Boat Team. Events like these remind us of the friendships, cultural connections, and volunteer spirit that make Australia such a wonderful place to call home.
The Parkinson Multicultural and Dragon Boat Festival will be held at Ken Fletcher Park, Tennyson, on 7 June from 9:00am to 2:30pm. Entry is free, making it a great day out for the whole family. Come along, cheer on the teams, enjoy the festivities, and celebrate the many cultures that contribute to our vibrant and diverse community.
As always, thank you for your continued support and positive feedback. We understand the importance of staying connected and looking out for one another, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need a helping hand.
