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Thank you FDS
t is with sadness I have decided to
retire from FDS after 11-and-a-half
years of supporting the families of
Port Macquarie and surrounding areas.
Looking back over this time at what I
have achieved here. I feel very proud and
can now walk away knowing it was all so
worthwhile and the time is right to retire,
although I know I will miss it very much.
When I would see someone walk into my
support group looking very sad, with
shoulders down to six months later walk
in with a smile on their face, shoulders up
then go around the group giving everyone
a hug was what kept me going for so
long. To support someone even in a small
way towards change is so worthwhile.
Since starting FDS here, the support I
have had has been amazing. Over the
years we have received local funding
from the clubs and council, which has
enabled us to run 11 stepping stones, the
former division of GPs organised a
medical conference centred around drugs
and families, also supported us in many
other ways, the local community drug
action team has promoted FDS at their
family fun days each year as part of drug
action week. There has been so much
support and encouragement for myself as
well as FDS I just can’t thank everyone
enough. That enabled us to support a
huge number of families.
I have so many fond memories and also
very sad ones which unfortunately is
what we sometimes deal with at FDS.
In the early days of my journey I was so
lacking in confidence but always
passionate about providing help for
families that were struggling.
Some of my fondest memories were in
the early days when I would go along to
Mulgoa so unsure of myself and along
would come Peter Baume to have a chat.
He would be so very encouraging, always
had me leaving the weekend believing in
myself a little more. I will always
treasure those talks.
Eleven-and-a-half years ago I attended
the very first Stepping Stones in Port
Macquarie. Tony came up to run it and
Theo was training with him. I remember
crying the whole of the first weekend [
Theo often jokes with me that he
christened a box of tissues after me].
When I went home at the end of that first
weekend I felt such a relief that finally I
wasn’t alone and others understood what
I was going through. That was when I
made the decision to start FDS services
here. I desperately wanted others that
were living with the chaos, shame,
isolation and everything else that goes
with supporting loved ones to finally
have access to help and support. I know I
have achieved this for many and can
walk away knowing I have played a
small part in making their journey a little
easier.
I must thank many people that have
helped me over the years particularly
Tony for your trust and giving me the
opportunity to be a part of the FDS
family, Theo for teaching me so much
and your belief in me. Sandra, Fay plus
everyone who has helped me along the
way. I couldn’t have gotten this far
without all your support.
I have been so fortunate to meet so many
beautiful, brave people along the way.
We always admire and applaud heroes in
the community. And rightly so.
But to me. I believe many of the families
I have come across are heroes. To get up
day after day and cope with so much crap
and still support and fight for their loved
ones no matter what, takes a lot of
I