Every time Anita Hyatt turns up at a family s doorstep, she becomes entwined in the medical emergency and all the emotions that come with it. The pattern is a way of life for the Mackay mum who has been a paramedic for 11 years. She, together with her veteran son, Dylan Hyatt-Jackson, have thrown their support behind the Daily Mercury s
Hub for Our Heroes campaign to build a veterans and first responders wellness centre at Kinchant Dam. Australia s oldest-surviving Victoria Cross recipient and Vietnam War hero Keith Payne, along with Sir Peter Cosgrove, are patrons of Dr Peter Wirth s PTSD Frontline which is spearheading the project.
Every time Anita Hyatt turns up at a family s doorstep, she becomes entwined in the medical emergency and all the emotions that come with it. The pattern is a way of life for the Mackay mum who has been a paramedic for 11 years. She, together with her veteran son, Dylan Hyatt-Jackson, have thrown their support behind the Daily Mercury s
Hub for Our Heroes campaign to build a veterans and first responders wellness centre at Kinchant Dam. Australia s oldest-surviving Victoria Cross recipient and Vietnam War hero Keith Payne, along with Sir Peter Cosgrove, are patrons of Dr Peter Wirth s PTSD Frontline which is spearheading the project.
She said the night was her gift to the first responder community. Toni Childs played in Mackay as part of a concert hosted by ReNew Mackay and PTSD Frontline in support of the Daily Mercury s Hub for our Heroes campaign. Picture: Heidi Petith
âI think itâs a really important thing to say thank you, to let people know that we really do care about whatâs happening to you and how your lives and families can be affected by (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other thingsâ Childs said.
âSo many men are feeling like they canât really vent or share what theyâre going through for fear of losing their jobs, or being judged.
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Subscriber only Mackay residents are spoiled for choice this May Day long weekend with a social calendar chock-full of events. When: 7.30pm, Sunday May 2 Where: Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, Alfred Street, Mackay What s happening: Renowned Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated artist Toni Childs will perform in Mackay to support the Daily Mercury s Hub for our Heroes campaign. Toni Childs will appear at Tanks Art Centre. Picture: supplied. Inspired by her father and her own mental health struggles, Toni Childs backs PTSD Frontline s mission alongside Sir Peter Cosgrove and Australia s oldest surviving Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne to develop a first responders and veterans treatment centre at Kinchant Dam.
Vietnam Veteran Leslie Palmer officiating the Mackay Anzac Day Main Service. Picture: Heidi Petith
Mr Palmer said despite Mr Payne living in Mackay for 40 years, it was only the third time the oldest surviving Victoria Cross recipient had made a hometown service as he was in high demand.
Photos
Mr Payne shared a touching story for the first time of a woman finding her ‘Gallipoli stone’ while he visited Turkey in 2015 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Lone Pine. Vietnam War veteran and Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne with his wife Florence at the Mackay ANZAC Day march 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins