1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,520 Speaker 1: Now I'll tell you what my next guess this morning. 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:04,680 Speaker 1: He's always doing good stuff and that's what I love 3 00:00:04,760 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 1: about having him on the show. His name is Sam Western. 4 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: You'll know him from The Mad Snake. Good morning to you, Sam, 5 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,239 Speaker 1: Good morning now, mate, I've seen, I always see that 6 00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:15,520 Speaker 1: you're out there having to go in lots of different ways, 7 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:18,239 Speaker 1: which is what I love. And at the moment, well, 8 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:21,400 Speaker 1: you've launched a bit of a campaign called check on 9 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: your Mates. 10 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:25,760 Speaker 2: Yes, that was important one. Yeah, tell me about that firstly, so. 11 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 3: It's well, it's full of veterans, but this is actually 12 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 3: part of the bigger community. It's just checking on those 13 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 3: mates you haven't spoken to for a while and just 14 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:38,959 Speaker 3: seeing if they're okay and saying are you okay and 15 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 3: doing it things like calling them or going out for 16 00:00:41,479 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 3: a coffee. I've got to meet up with some mates 17 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:45,480 Speaker 3: in Palms the next week and just sort of making 18 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 3: sure everyone's okay. And then when I nominate you, you 19 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 3: then nominate five of your friends and hopefully of Darwin 20 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 3: being a smaller town. You knows all it takes sometimes 21 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 3: as that person just to check up on you. 22 00:00:56,600 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 2: Okay. Actually, you know what, I'm not all right? 23 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 3: And then it's it's what you know, and it's trying 24 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 3: to stop that I guess, the suicide, the mental health 25 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 3: over this period, and it's going to be a pretty 26 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 3: hard Christmas period this year. So yeah, check your mates, 27 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 3: everyone out there, check your mates. 28 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:12,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, I reckon, it's a really good idea. So you 29 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:16,200 Speaker 1: so check on your mate, make sure they're okay once 30 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:17,959 Speaker 1: you know, once you sort of check on them, you 31 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 1: encourage them to do that, like to kind of get 32 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 1: that flow on effects going. 33 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 3: So if there's one hundred and eighty thousand of us 34 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 3: in the Darwin region, we should all be checked out 35 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 3: by the end of the week, really shouldn't we. 36 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:31,119 Speaker 2: So that's exactly right theory. I reckon. It's a really 37 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 2: good thing to do. 38 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: And it is just that it's that conversation as well though, 39 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: making sure that everybody is actually going okay, because like 40 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 1: you said, it's been a tough year in so many 41 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 1: different ways. 42 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 2: You's been a tough two years, Yeah, it has. 43 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: That's however long it's been, it's been hard. 44 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 3: So this is this is a good one because obviously, yeah, 45 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 3: reconnects you with people that you maybe haven't spoken to. 46 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 3: And I think if you aren't doing well, just say yeah, 47 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 3: I need help, I need whatever you might need. And 48 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 3: that's you know, just spreading that message of it's ok 49 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 3: to be and it is okay to be that way 50 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 3: because it has been a long year, but I'm okay, 51 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 3: customers okay. 52 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well yeah, and you do get to the end 53 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 1: of the year and it can be tough. You know, 54 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 1: you sort of feel like you're almost at the finish 55 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:15,239 Speaker 1: line but not quite. 56 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:17,919 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I think a lot of people aren't leaving 57 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 3: this year because the flights and various reasons. Obviously, interest 58 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 3: rates have gone up, so money is going to be 59 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 3: a big one, so all the factors that contribute to 60 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 3: that mental health unfortunately, this is the year that it's 61 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,280 Speaker 3: going to do it. So yeah, this has being positive. 62 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 3: This is about making sure everyone's after each other. 63 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:36,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's right. And you know, of course, if you 64 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 1: do need to seek some professional help, or you need 65 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:40,359 Speaker 1: to speak to somebody who's not a mate, if you 66 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:42,639 Speaker 1: feel a bit funny about it, you can always get 67 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 1: in contact with Lifeline and some of those different hotlines 68 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: as well, or you know, different fine lines to make 69 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 1: sure that you know that you can get the support 70 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 1: that you need. But checking on each other is a 71 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: really big step. 72 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 2: Very important. 73 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:56,800 Speaker 3: And also a lot of people in Darwin don't have 74 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 3: their families up here, Like we're going to go into 75 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 3: the Christmas in a minute, Christmas, you don't have your 76 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 3: family up here. 77 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 2: It does get a little bit sort of emotional, I suppose. 78 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 3: So it's about looking after each other this Christmas and 79 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 3: New Year and this Christmas. 80 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:12,360 Speaker 1: What I like is that you've said you're going to 81 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 1: do something a little bit different as you've just touched on. Obviously, 82 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:18,920 Speaker 1: some people aren't able to travel away. It is incredibly 83 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: expensive to catch a flight anywhere from the Northern Territory 84 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:24,560 Speaker 1: most time of the year, but then Christmas time it 85 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:28,799 Speaker 1: becomes ridiculous. So tell me what you're planning on doing 86 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 1: for Christmas this year. 87 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 3: Way too much for my little brain, however. So first off, 88 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 3: we're going to try and feed the homeless people on 89 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 3: the streets of Darwin, and we'll venture out towards perhaps 90 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 3: you at park and just give them a feed so 91 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 3: they get something decent on Christmas Day. And in conjunction 92 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 3: that we've put a call out for any families that 93 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 3: may not be homeless but just might be struggling. This 94 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 3: year because I've had so many people offer food, hamper baskets, 95 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 3: baking goods, so. 96 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 2: I think we can have a lot of food. 97 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 3: So if anyone out there knows any families that are 98 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 3: doing it tough, give me a bell and we'll try 99 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 3: and organize some food take them to their house. And 100 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 3: on top of that, we're going to do the Orphan 101 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 3: Breakfast where literally, if you have no friends or family, 102 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 3: come and have a coffee and just chill out in 103 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 3: the cafe. 104 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: Yes, so you'll open on Christmas Day so that people 105 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 1: won't feel aligned. 106 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, I actually not a big Christmas Day person, to 107 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 3: be honest with you. So this is my so I 108 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:24,280 Speaker 3: don't get visited by three ghosts. By humbug, I'm doing 109 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:26,839 Speaker 3: a Christmas thing in the cafe. So yeah, so there's 110 00:04:26,839 --> 00:04:29,160 Speaker 3: a lot of people volunteering on the morning and by 111 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 3: all means, if people still want to come and just 112 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:33,600 Speaker 3: chill and help hand out food, I'm going to need 113 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:35,680 Speaker 3: people to hand out food in the suburbs as well, 114 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 3: try and get it down there. And yeah, we're going 115 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 3: to try and do some type of morning tea lunch 116 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 3: for the local homeness to come and have a feed and. 117 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 2: Good on you have a good Christmas. Good on you. 118 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:46,920 Speaker 1: That's a really nice thing to do. And I reckon 119 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 1: there'll be people listening this morning who might want to help. 120 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: Is it too late for them to be able to help. 121 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 3: No, I'm more than happy contact me somehow and we'll 122 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:57,560 Speaker 3: jump on Facebook. Yeah, and then yeah, I'm looking for 123 00:04:57,600 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 3: people to help serve the food, hand the food out, 124 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:03,039 Speaker 3: drive the food around and if there's any businesses that 125 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 3: want to contribute, you know, I'm looking at doing toys 126 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 3: for the kids, you know, anything that can help make 127 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:11,159 Speaker 3: they're not so fortunate on the day a bit more happier. 128 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 2: That would be awesome. 129 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:14,600 Speaker 1: Oh, good on you. So they can contact you obviously 130 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 1: through the Mad Snake Cafe. They'll be able to find 131 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 1: that on the Facebook page on there, and and yeah, 132 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 1: I do reckon there'll be people who'll be keen to help. 133 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, I've got it's pretty full already. But to be 134 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:27,159 Speaker 2: honest with you, it's yeah, oh yeah, good. 135 00:05:27,440 --> 00:05:28,719 Speaker 1: Oh good stuff will Sam. 136 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:30,039 Speaker 2: It's always good to catch up with you. 137 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 1: It's been a massive year, a big year for you. 138 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:35,480 Speaker 1: Nominated for one of the Australia Day Awards as well. 139 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 1: And I don't know that you've ever really you were 140 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 1: ever really trying to get yourself into the spotlight the 141 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:42,599 Speaker 1: way that you have. But you've done a good job. 142 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 3: Yeah no, it wasn't my business model just to make coffee. 143 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 1: Good on you, mate. I know that so many in 144 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:53,280 Speaker 1: the community appreciate the work that you do and certainly 145 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:55,359 Speaker 1: appreciate the business that you run and the way you 146 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 1: make it a really safe space, particularly for veterans and 147 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:00,840 Speaker 1: those you know, to be able to come in and 148 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 1: feel safe and have someone to have a chat to 149 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 1: as well. 150 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:06,679 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you for that. And I love this community. 151 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:07,640 Speaker 3: Like we said, I love Darling. 152 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 2: I love you, Darwin. Just don't like the crime. 153 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: That's exactly right. That's how we all feel at the moment. 154 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:14,600 Speaker 1: We want to just be able to be at our 155 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 1: best potential. 156 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 3: Hey, well, I think that's why you do these good 157 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:19,479 Speaker 3: We have got a good We always talking about the 158 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 3: crime and the bad stuff. Darne's got so much you know, 159 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 3: positive stuff about it, Like this community is like so 160 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 3: many people want to help even I'm like, wow, okay, cool. 161 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 3: You know it just gives you that sense of community pride, 162 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 3: doesn't it. 163 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 2: So it really does pick up your Darling. 164 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:35,839 Speaker 1: Yeah, good on you. Thanks so much, Sam, thanks for 165 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: coming in this morning. We appreciate it.