'Smacktalk' - September Members Breakfast Briefing
Wayne Holdsworth is a community leader in every sense of
the word.
Known by many throughout the south-east, Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula; Wayne is the CEO of Frankston
& District Basketball Association.
But it's his role as Mac's father that he'll make the most impact in our community.
It was our honor to host Wayne today at Frankston RSL for our September
Member's Breakfast.
Nearly a year ago, Wayne lost his son Mac after taking his own life.
In his presentation, Wayne details the events leading up to that day, the warning signs he now wishes he could have seen at the time, and
the driving determination Wayne now has to help make a difference and provide others with the tools to talk about suicide.
It's not an easy thing to talk about, but Wayne's love for his family and his passion to do something about the 3,200 people that take their
own lives each year - and their families - is remarkable.
And, it has a really significant impact on his audiences. In fact, it's helping save lives.
Wayne is deeply determined to fighting cyber-bullying, sexual extortion, and the responsibilities of social media companies; and his cause
so far has taken his personal advocacy all the way to leaders like Jim
Chalmers
and Peter Dutton MP.
Thank you to all our members who attended today's Smacktalk. If you'd like to reach out for more information about Wayne, please feel free
to get in touch with us or contact Wayne directly.
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Support: www.lifeline.org.au
More information: www.smacktalk.com.au.
Picture: Committee CEO Josh Sinclair with Wayne Holdsworth.
Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula supports ‘Smacktalk’; calls for social media action
Nearly a year ago, Wayne Holdsworth lost his son Mac after taking his own life.
Wayne has since detailed the events leading up to that day, the warning signs he now wishes he could have seen at the time, and the driving
determination Wayne now has to help make a difference and provide others with the tools to talk about suicide.
It's not an easy thing to talk about, but Wayne's love for his family and his passion to do something about the 3,200 people that take their
own lives each year - and their families - is remarkable.
And, it has a really significant impact on his audiences. In fact, it's helping save lives.
Wayne is deeply determined to fighting cyber-bullying, sexual extortion, and the responsibilities of social media companies; and his cause
so far has taken his personal advocacy all the way to the highest decision-makers in the country.
The Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula calls on the Federal Government to work with people like Wayne and supporting organisations to introduce laws that hold social media companies accountable for the harm they cause children.
We also call on all jurisdictions to ensure that laws around sexual extortion of vulnerable children are keeping up with societal changes. A 400% increase in these criminal activities cause significant harm in our community, and it must be stopped.
Mac’s legacy lives on today through his father who we are honoured to call a leader within our community.
Action is urgently needed to save young lives.
