1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,320 Speaker 1: I love hearing about Territory ands doing great stuff and 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: joining me in the studio. Right now, I have got 3 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:10,600 Speaker 1: Andrew Falconer, good morning to you us, good to see you, 4 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: and also Anita Cardona, good morning to. 5 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:15,200 Speaker 2: You, good morning, thanks for having us. 6 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:17,760 Speaker 1: It is lovely to have you both in the studio now. 7 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:22,080 Speaker 1: You're both Northern Territory firefighters and you're both doing something 8 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: pretty awesome for a really good cause. You are taking 9 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:28,319 Speaker 1: part in the Push Up Challenge for the month of 10 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: June and it is all to raise money for Lifeline. 11 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: This sounds like it's going to take quite a bit 12 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 1: of energy. You two lots of bush ups. 13 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:42,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, so and forty four and that represents the amount 14 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 2: of people that lost their life to suicide in twenty 15 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:45,319 Speaker 2: twenty one. 16 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:47,720 Speaker 1: So when you look at it like that, and when 17 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:51,159 Speaker 1: you actually hear that number and you think of the 18 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: level of you know, like the level of heartache I 19 00:00:56,400 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 1: think that people have felt right around Australia and right 20 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 1: around the Northern Terrace when it comes to suicide. This 21 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:04,840 Speaker 1: is actually an amazing thing to be part of and 22 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: such an important cause, isn't it. 23 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 3: Yeah. 24 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 4: So that Anita initially brought the flyer in That's what 25 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:20,640 Speaker 4: got my attention three and forty four. Suicide is very 26 00:01:20,760 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 4: very close to the surface for me. I lost my 27 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:30,400 Speaker 4: daughter to it at fifteen in twenty eighteen. Two of 28 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 4: my friends serving friends from the fireber Go two thousand 29 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:36,680 Speaker 4: and seven, a very close made of mine, as well 30 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 4: another one. 31 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:38,760 Speaker 3: A few years later. 32 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 4: We've had other family members in such a small brigade 33 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 4: be affected by it, and it scuttles the ship. It 34 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 4: rocks you to the bone, it wipes you out. Like 35 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 4: you're both mothers, you grow these kids, and if there's 36 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 4: something that we can do to prevent it, I mean, 37 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 4: Lifeline is a starter, give to Dolly's dream as well, 38 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:11,519 Speaker 4: but we have to do something, and raising funds is 39 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:14,920 Speaker 4: a small way, in a small gesture to be able 40 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:15,240 Speaker 4: to do it. 41 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, Falcon, it's bloody brave of you to speak about it, 42 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:23,560 Speaker 1: and it's so brave of you after the loss of 43 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 1: your daughter. I like I can barely talk about it, 44 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: you know. Learning that and like you said, Anita and 45 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 1: I both mums, you're a dad, it really hits home 46 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:36,639 Speaker 1: as to why that is so important, and it's so important, 47 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:39,239 Speaker 1: you know when you think about our young people and 48 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 1: the different things that we can sort of do to, 49 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 1: you know, to try and speak more about this issue 50 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: as well. 51 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 4: Yeah, you're absolutely right, it's hidden even when you'll see it. 52 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 4: You'll see it pop up on the news and stuff 53 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:58,680 Speaker 4: like that, but it's hidden away. And that'll be if 54 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:02,320 Speaker 4: anyone you know or contact Lifeline, so immediately you've got 55 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:07,519 Speaker 4: a hint that it's suicide. And these kids are they're 56 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:11,760 Speaker 4: bombarded with phones, you know, the Internet is in their rooms. 57 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 4: It's it's tough for them to deal with. And it's 58 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 4: the number one. It's been above three thousand for a 59 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:23,320 Speaker 4: long time. I know it was above three thousand in 60 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:28,399 Speaker 4: twenty eighteen and it's still above that every single year. 61 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:34,080 Speaker 4: And yeah, it's something that we have to do something 62 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 4: more about. There's lots of good counselors in schools and stuff. 63 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 4: And me personally, the profession of psychology and the therapy 64 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:49,839 Speaker 4: that I had to go through to recover, I never 65 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 4: recover from and I just learned how to walk beside it. 66 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:55,840 Speaker 3: But that profession to me is. 67 00:03:56,200 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 4: Next level of getting deep down into the mind and 68 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,240 Speaker 4: being able to function again. 69 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 3: Is a great profession. 70 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 4: And yeah, that these kids need to go and speak 71 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 4: to someone. Lifelines are start, but counseling and psychology is an. 72 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 3: Extra that they should do if they are. 73 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:20,760 Speaker 1: Struggling and know that there is that help out there. Yeah, 74 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 1: because that's a hard thing as well, isn't it. As 75 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:26,799 Speaker 1: it's having those discussions sometimes and you know, and particularly 76 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 1: with young people, it's like it's hard to tell a 77 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:31,279 Speaker 1: kid that what they're going through at that point in 78 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:34,040 Speaker 1: time isn't going to last forever, and that there's different 79 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 1: mechanisms and you know, different ways that they can be supported. 80 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 1: But it's hard for us as adults to have those conversations, 81 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 1: let alone as young people to have those conversations. 82 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 4: Yeah, you're right, it's I went searching for answers and 83 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:54,040 Speaker 4: you never find them. That's why suicide is so devastating. 84 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,840 Speaker 4: You don't really get to find too many answers in it. 85 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:01,200 Speaker 4: But some of the things that I did do and 86 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 4: you can, like you just touched on it there as adults, 87 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 4: you can look at teenagers. And I went and did 88 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 4: an audio book which I think all parents should. 89 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 3: It's called The Teenage Brain. 90 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 4: And it dives down deep into what the unformed brain, 91 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 4: the decision making part of the brain is not formed 92 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 4: at fifteen. Their emotions are high, then you get lack 93 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 4: of sleep, you get phone phone bombardment. 94 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:28,720 Speaker 1: And. 95 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's tough for those kids to deal with. But 96 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:37,040 Speaker 4: if you've got an extra weaponry and as a parent, 97 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:40,719 Speaker 4: I would highly recommend that you listen to that book 98 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:44,120 Speaker 4: and it gives you a better understanding and what these 99 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 4: kids struggle through sometimes and almost tough. 100 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:52,239 Speaker 3: And she hid. 101 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:57,159 Speaker 4: It quite well and it just yeah, when it rocked us, 102 00:05:57,320 --> 00:06:03,680 Speaker 4: all of us, grandparents, her brother. Yeah, And once I 103 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:06,719 Speaker 4: saw Anita come in with a poster, I thought I 104 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 4: have to do. 105 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:12,920 Speaker 1: Something falcon I mate, I really appreciate you sharing that 106 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:15,600 Speaker 1: on air today. I know that it's bloody hard to 107 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:18,800 Speaker 1: do something like that, so I really appreciate you sharing 108 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:21,600 Speaker 1: that with us. As you know as a parent, I'm 109 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 1: sure a needle will feel the same. I think it's 110 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,839 Speaker 1: so important to have those discussions because I think that 111 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:29,720 Speaker 1: it helps all of us. So I appreciate you sharing 112 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: that in fine. I know it's not an easy thing 113 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 1: to do. Sorry, mate, it's rock like. You've really surprised me, 114 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 1: so it's made me feel quite emotional. 115 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 3: That's all right, Katie. You're a mum, so. 116 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:43,920 Speaker 4: That's what that's where it comes from and I heard 117 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:50,120 Speaker 4: I heard you with young Decland's parents that emotion is 118 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:53,800 Speaker 4: fine and it comes from the heart. So we appreciate 119 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 4: the opportunity to be given some time and raise awareness 120 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 4: and hopefully get some of these kids to go to 121 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 4: help and and talk. 122 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 1: You spot on Anita. It must have looked for you 123 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:12,400 Speaker 1: then coming in with that flyer and you know, speaking 124 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 1: to Falcon and and you know, realizing the way in 125 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 1: which suicide has impacted by the sounds of a number 126 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 1: of people within the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service 127 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: in different ways. You know, it's it's sometimes things like 128 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: this seem like a small thing that you can do, 129 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:31,880 Speaker 1: but it's actually a really brilliant way to bring together 130 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 1: a group of people and to have that common goal 131 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: and to have that, you know, that real common sort 132 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 1: of belief that you can do something that's going to 133 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 1: make a bit of a difference. 134 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. We I just want to do something positive 135 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:47,440 Speaker 2: and get some of these guys moving, to be honest 136 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 2: with you, and the fact that Falks jumped on board, 137 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 2: I was like, thank you, yeah, and how could we 138 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 2: not go from here sort of things. So now it's 139 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 2: just a case of getting out. They're going to shake buckets. 140 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 2: It's certain like ARM will be promoting that and just 141 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 2: getting as many people on board as possible. And obviously 142 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 2: donations are a bonus, but yeah, be nice to have 143 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:13,080 Speaker 2: a group that don't generally hang out as well and 144 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 2: connect with different five fighters as well and do it together. 145 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 1: So yeah, and so the number of push ups changes 146 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:20,520 Speaker 1: each and every day, does not? Yes? 147 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 3: Yes, apparently you too a fit. 148 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 1: You're both fit and you've both got strong arms, I reckon, 149 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: So you're gonna be all right with those push ups, 150 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 1: aren't you? 151 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 2: Well yes, yeah, yeah, any be good and if anyone 152 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:35,719 Speaker 2: does have any injuries or anything, they can stup out 153 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:39,480 Speaker 2: and do something else. So yeah, it'll be Yeah, it 154 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 2: would be a good challenge anyway. And I mean, how 155 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:46,560 Speaker 2: can we say it's hard when what we're what we're supporting, 156 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 2: and what we where our goal is. How can we 157 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 2: even say anything is hard? 158 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 1: Yeah? Well, physical is almost easy, isn't it? Sometimes? You know, 159 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 1: when you look at physical challenges, it is it's very different, 160 00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: you know, to mental challenges. Yeah, so you sort of 161 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 1: I think, yeah, I can do that, I can do 162 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 1: that volume of push ups, no worries. 163 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:05,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely so, yeah, and. 164 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 4: You're right, it is for mental health as well, and 165 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:11,439 Speaker 4: people's everyone has a struggle at some point in their 166 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 4: life and you're never always tack them with the win. 167 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:22,760 Speaker 4: But yeah, it's for mental health and ultimately the suicide 168 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:26,560 Speaker 4: prevention is what we need to There's lots of kids 169 00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 4: in the territory. 170 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 3: It's terrible numbers, it really is. 171 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 1: Now, tell me if people want to get involved, if 172 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 1: they want to make sure that they donate as well, Anita, 173 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 1: what's the best way that they can do that? 174 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 2: So our PFES media are on board. 175 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 3: Yeah. 176 00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 2: I was just speaking to Sarah before as well, and 177 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:51,640 Speaker 2: apparently Jared is an ambassador so we can link everything 178 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:54,319 Speaker 2: to here at the s Yeah, so you guys can 179 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 2: get some links and we'll be able to donate directly 180 00:09:57,160 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 2: there to the team. 181 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:01,320 Speaker 1: So that is wonderful. Now, how many are taking part 182 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:01,959 Speaker 1: so far? 183 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 2: Not enough about twenty, but they're Johnny Cup Mayley's and 184 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:09,679 Speaker 2: hopefully like fifty more join up. 185 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 3: Tomorrow, So I reckon they will. 186 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 1: Honestly, I think, you know, after hearing you guys speak 187 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 1: this morning, I think it's a really wonderful thing to 188 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 1: get involved in, and I think for people to understand 189 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,320 Speaker 1: the meaning behind it and why it's so important to 190 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:28,840 Speaker 1: you guys. I think that it's really a great initiative. 191 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, thanks for the time to promote it to Cady. 192 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:38,000 Speaker 1: Ay. Yeah, honestly, you know, I'm always I really like 193 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 1: hearing from territory instead of doing things to make a change. 194 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:44,200 Speaker 1: So I think it's so incredibly important. And look, I 195 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:46,679 Speaker 1: know for some people listening this morning that this conversation 196 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 1: might have been triggering, So if it is, please you 197 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:52,559 Speaker 1: can get in contact with Lifeline and that number is 198 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:58,640 Speaker 1: thirteen eleven fourteen. And well, Andrew Falconer and Anita Cardona, 199 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: you two are a pair of legs. 200 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 3: Jins. 201 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 1: Thank you so very much for coming into the studio 202 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 1: this morning. 203 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:05,520 Speaker 3: Thank you. I appreciate it.