The local team at Hotondo Homes have come together to organise an industry event to raise awareness for mental wellbeing and support their MATES in Construction.
Workers in the construction industry are invited to a free barbeque breakfast, which will be held on September 9 at the Bundaberg Cricket Grounds.
The event coincides with R U OK? Day and MATES in Construction’s Fly the Flag Day, aiming to raise awareness of the need to improve mental health in the industry, to encourage open conversations about mental health and to raise funds for support services for workers in the area.
Local builders Amy and Nelson Plowman from Hotondo Homes in Bundaberg said they were motivated to increase support of workers in their industry, particularly during such a challenging time.
“The industry is experiencing increasing demand, which is great to help us grow in the region, but those involved in producing and supplying to the industry are experiencing a huge amount of pressure to meet the demand,” Nelson said.
“Having known mates that have taken their life in the industry, the impact of this for us is personal and devastating,” Amy added.
“We want to make sure we’re doing all we can to take care of our team and colleagues.”
The event has already garnered support from many businesses and community groups, including Bundaberg Regional Council, Bundaberg Cricket Club, Master Builders Queensland, MATES in Construction, 4BU AM Radio and a number of local businesses in the industry.
“We have been blown away by the community response. It really has been a team effort from local business people,” Nelson said.
“In an industry where there are plenty of opportunities to compete for business, it’s nice to be able to come together for a cause we all care about.”
“It’s something we can be united about and I think common values like ‘caring for our mates’ are the ways we can be a community for each other,” Amy said.
According to research conducted by MATES in Construction, 190 Australians working in the construction industry take their own lives every year.
Their research showed that construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than an accident at work.
The construction industry breakfast will be held from 7 am to 9 am on Thursday, September 9 at the Bundaberg Cricket Grounds at Kendall’s Flat. The event is free to attend and is open to all construction industry workers.
For more information or to find out how you can be involved, contact Amy Plowman on 0433 412 029.
