Community
15 January, 2023
Cook Shire Announces 2023 Australia Day Ambassador
COOK Shire Council is set to reflect, respect and celebrate on Australia Day with Australia Day Ambassador, Dr Tahnee Bridson.
Named Queensland’s Young Australian of the Year in 2022 for her dedication to mental health, Dr Bridson will be attending Council’s Australia Day Award Ceremony and morning tea on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at the Cooktown Shire Hall.
Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott said they were excited to have Dr Bridson at the ceremony.
“We are honoured to welcome Dr Bridson to our Shire,” Cr Scott said.
“Her commitment and passion for her purpose, combined with her sense of service exemplifies the Australian spirit,” he said.
A Psychiatry Registrar, when Dr Bridson learned of the silent suffering that many friends and colleagues were experiencing because of the shame, fear and stigma surrounding mental health challenges, she founded Hand-n-Hand Peer Support in 2020.
Her organisation leverages social media to assist healthcare workers who are experiencing wellbeing or mental health difficulties.
Mayor Scott said Dr Bridson’s work supported a population who may not receive this care otherwise.
“Hospital and healthcare workers are certainly not immune to the mental health trials and tribulations that come with living and working in regional and remote communities,” Cr Scott said.
“Dr Bridson’s work with Hand-nHand Peer Support provides much needed mental health support to the healthcare workers who work to tirelessly to keep our community healthy, safe and well.”
To learn more about Dr Bridson’s work, and to reflect, respect and celebrate this Australia Day, the community are welcome to attend the Australia Day Awards Ceremony, followed by a complimentary morning tea supplied by the Cooktown Country Women’s Association, on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at the Cooktown Shire Hall from 9am.
For more information contact Cook Shire Council via email to: mail@cook.qld.gov.au or by phoning 4082 0500.
