WARNING: This podcast contains graphic descriptions of physical, sexual and mental abuse of a minor.

"You need people around you that understand you, that care about you, that love you, that are on your side and cheering for you. That's what community is. People need that in their lives because without that, there is nothing else."

For the first 5 years of her life, Matilda suffered horrific physical, sexual and mental abuse at the hands of the very people who were supposed to care for and protect her. After continued neglect and being made to feel that she was the cause of her problems, Matilda confided to members of her church only to be told to keep quiet and not dishonour her family.

Thirty years later, Matilda was contacted by detectives investigating her abuser and asked if she was willing to testify against him. Through this excruciating process of reliving her childhood abuse, Matilda found her true family and community of supporters who gave her the strength to carry on and confront her abuser.

"Matilda" is a pseudonym used to protect the speaker's identity.

School of Strength. It’s a gym.

Where YOU matter and your GOALS matter.

Remember, strength is the secret sauce.

Visit https://schoolofstrength.com.au/

Co-producers: Adrian Day and Myoung Jae Yi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: This podcast contains content about suicide.

Stewart Smith's father, Charlie, took his own life when Stewart was only 10 years old. It occurred during the cattle crash of 1973 when cattle prices plummeted and they became worthless. It was just after Charlie or 'Chas' had started his own business as a stock and station agent.

Reflecting on his own battle with mental health during the Johne's disease outbreak in the eighties, Stewart or 'Stewie' talks to Adrian about the joys of family and the camaraderie he's found in team sports, including being part of the Bega Roosters side that won the 1988 Clayton Cup, arguably the best team the NSW Country Rugby League competition has produced.

Like his father, Stewie is a stock and station agent and is known locally as the unofficial 'mayor' of the Bega Valley, helping countless farming families through the good times and bad.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: This podcast contains descriptions of injury and surgical procedures.

WARNING: This podcast contains descriptions of domestic violence and coercive control.

Vesna Andric's life story is one of strength and resilience. From her early days growing up in an immigrant family in Melbourne to serving the Bega community as the Program Manager at Staying Home Leaving Violence, Vesna has overcome loneliness, neglect, coercive control and a life-threatening injury - all the while helping those in need and acknowledging the trauma and grief in others.

Vesna's empathy, kindness and generosity of spirit will astound you as will her recovery from the life-altering injury she calls the SPLAT.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dale Finucane is one of the most respected players in the NRL. From his debut for the Bega Roosters to winning two NRL Grand Finals with Melbourne Storm and playing State of Origin for NSW, Dale's honesty and tireless work ethic has inspired many young players.

Dale's medical retirement in the 2024 season came as a shock but the risks brought on by repeated concussions meant it was time to hang up his boots.

School of Strength. It's a gym.

Where YOU matter and your GOALS matter.

Remember, strength is the secret sauce.

Visit https://schoolofstrength.com.au/

Co-producers: Adrian Day and Myoung Jae Yi

Sound engineering by Myoung Jae Yi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: This podcast contains descriptions of medical procedures.

WARNING: This podcast contains some strong language.

Australian Paralympian and World Champion rower Nikki Ayers is as strong and resilient as you can get. From the life-changing tackle that ended her dream of playing for the Wallaroos to winning gold at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris in the Mixed Double Scull PR3, Nikki's sporting career has seen the highs and lows.

School of Strength. It's a gym.

Where YOU matter and your GOALS matter.

Remember, strength is the secret sauce.

Visit https://schoolofstrength.com.au/

Co-producers: Adrian Day and Myoung Jae Yi

Sound engineering by Myoung Jae Yi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: This podcast contains descriptions of death and dying.

WARNING: This podcast contains discussion of suicide.

WARNING: This podcast contains discussion of the 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires.

In this episode, host Adrian Day talks to Jane Phillips, a mental health clinician and nurse with the older persons community mental health team at Bega Hospital. Like many in the Bega Valley, Jane has suffered from the anxiety brought on by memories of the Black Summer bushfires, COVID-19 lockdowns and then her mother's diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. This difficult period has also coincided with the onset of menopause, meaning her resilience and ability to cope with stress all but disappeared. Jane has turned to EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Therapy to help with her anxiety with positive results.

LINKS: Jane's funeral song: I'll Fly Away by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch

EMDR FAQ: EMDR Association of Australia

If this podcast has brought up any issues for you, always know you can reach out to organisations such as Lifeline on 13 11 14 where help is available anytime day and night. There is always someone willing to listen to you.

It ain't weak to speak.

School of Strength. It’s a gym.

Where YOU matter and your GOALS matter.

Remember, strength is the secret sauce.

Visit https://schoolofstrength.com.au/

Produced by Adrian Day and Myoung Jae Yi

Sound engineering and editing by Myoung Jae Yi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: This podcast contains graphic descriptions of domestic violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse and rape.

WARNING: This podcast contains descriptions of drug use and drug paraphernalia.

WARNING: This podcast contains descriptions of violence to animals.

Juliette has been through the wringer. From dating a drug dealer to having that drug dealer getting her addicted to speed, through domestic violence and rape and the sudden deaths of 3 children. Despite all this trauma, Juliette wants to be known as a survivor and a fighter, not a victim.

If her story doesn’t move you, make you tremble in anger and weep openly, then I don’t know what will.

Juliette has used her life experiences to help guide others in need through her work as a grief counsellor and as a drug rehab counsellor.

"Juliette" is a pseudonym used to protect the speaker's identity.

School of Strength. It’s a gym.

Where YOU matter and your GOALS matter.

Remember, strength is the secret sauce.

Visit https://schoolofstrength.com.au/

Co-producers: Adrian Day and Myoung Jae Yi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are warned that the following podcast contains the names of people who have and may have passed away.

WARNING: This podcast contains graphic descriptions of war that some listeners may find disturbing.

WARNING: This podcast contains descriptions of discriminatory & derogatory language used against minority groups that may cause offence to some listeners.

In the second episode of SOS Chats, Adrian talks to Vietnam War veteran Frank Hunt about his mental health journey. Frank is best known as the "Frankie [who] kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon" in the song 'I Was Only 19' by Redgum. Frank hails from the Mallee dust in northern Victoria and since 1971, has called the Bega Valley home. He has changed lives with his public speaking, his advocacy in the juvenile court system and his ongoing support for Vietnam War veterans.

School of Strength. It’s a gym.

Where YOU matter and your GOALS matter.

Remember, strength is the secret sauce.

Visit https://schoolofstrength.com.au/

Co-producers: Adrian Day and Myoung Jae Yi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.