Newsletter creator / editor required.

It was a difficult week for me in some ways and why last weeks newsletter was not produced. 

Tuesday 26 March 2024 I attended a memorial service for a 20y/o lady. In 2019 a blog was written on how she became separated from her mother through intervention of the Family court and therefore spent many years without the guidance of one loving parent. It was around an 80 page judgement that I read which essentially showed a good mother that was ordered to never to see her kids again and knowing the facts able to assist her. The bullet points in the blog area show some of the compelling argument as to what is wrong with the family separation industry and how so often, to the children’s detriment they may be left with a parent with highly questionable mental health conditions. 

It was a sad outcome at the time and while lawyers offered to run the appeal, they wanted her to pay for all their bills to date, then for the appeal court costs, registration, transcripts and copying (there is a lot in that),  barristers etc. When the court strategy with the client was agreed to and changed in the final days of the trial against their clients wishes a more fitting outcome would have been the lawyer and barristers de-registration rather than them pursuing her for their outrageous fees. The events that followed the memorial service (including the funeral) were interesting.

Later in the week I read of another parent that went to see her child at school sports. The child's face beamed with delight at seeing the parent but was then admonished by the father and driven to tears. Fortunately the mother in this case went to the police and was leaving just before the father arrived (no doubt to put a restraining order on her which is a common tactic to control and remove a spouse). 

The only thing that was unusual is that both cases were that the mother was the targeted parent as I normally deal with displaced fathers. 

Oh, and there was also the call by one of our Rotary members to check up on someone they were highly concerned about (thank goodness there was nothing to be concerned over).

Many are aware that:

• I have run support groups,
• Been a on a board of a suicide prevention organisation  for 6 years (chairman for 3 years) and still provide some support. 
• Consulted on how to deal with a father whose 8y/o suicided after suffering Parental Alienating Behaviours by the mother
• Recently finished a Diploma of Counselling (to supplement above experience) and
• Currently doing the business feasibility plan (not looking great due to red tape of industry codes). 
• Sought support of Rotary to do something in the area of Parental Alienating Behaviours (see https://emmm.org.au/petition-1) and male suicide (the cause being clear when considering table 2 of the Psychosocial risk factors of suicide) however it appears no avenue is open. 

Dealing with such matters are now days second nature to me and unpaid but do occupy some time. I once again urge everyone to sign the petition and if anyone is able to assist in penetrating Rotary and facilitate an awareness campaign leading to action such that the law will catch up with the research and science. A better framework must be developed to support those with mental health issues (often Cluster B) and save children from the domestic violence trauma and subsequent mental health issues, then contact me. 

While Leanne has been the main source of many of the behind the scenes and district stories that have featured in recent Gateways and done final edit, this may not be possible with Colin and Leanne’s district roles ramping up. As it is clear after many years that Rotary will not be involved in these two areas (Parental Alienating Behaviours which are a form of Domestic Violence and child abuse along with male suicide) I may need to step back further from Rotary and therefore seeking someone to take over the Newsletter. 

Terry