MOREE Plains Shire councillor Fred McGrady spoke softly and sincerely at a suicide awareness and prevention community meeting last weekend – but his message was loud.

The meeting, co-ordinated by Dorothy Tighe, was held at Jellicoe Park, where a small group of community members spoke openly about suicide.

Guest speakers included Cr McGrady, Alwyn Duke, ambulance officer Kelly Girard Faiers, Aboriginal liaison officer James Smith and Moree police officer Henry Trow.

“The meeting was to focus on suicide awareness in our community, and we hope to have similar meetings on a regular basis,” Cr McGrady said.

“I am deeply honoured to be able to support this initiative. These conversations are needed now, more than ever.

“Too many people in our communities are hurting behind closed doors, and too many people feel isolated, overwhelmed, or like they have nowhere to turn,” Mr McGrady said.

“The truth is, suicide does not just affect one person – it sends shockwaves through entire families, friendship circles, workplaces, schools and communities.

“The pain lasts for generations,” he said.

“Sometimes, we get so caught up in everyday life we forget to ask a simple but powerful question: Are you okay?”

Shamira Duncan bravely told the group her story.

She overcame addiction after “knocking on the devil’s door” two years ago, when she tried to end her life.

Shamira sought help and is on the long road to recovery.

“A life in addiction isn’t a life at all,” she said.

“From the inside out it was consuming me; for years, and years it was numbing me inside.

“I was losing my integrity, humility, dignity and pride.”

Event organiser Dorothy Tighe said creating awareness stems from a deep, personal commitment to ensuring no-one feels isolated or invisible during their darkest moments.

“Over recent years, it became painfully clear that while formal mental health services exist, our community urgently needed an immediate, grassroots space where people could gather without stigma, judgment, or red tape,” Ms Tighe said.

“I organised this meeting to break the silence surrounding suicide and to create a visible sanctuary for shared healing, mutual support and active prevention.

“This group is an absolute necessity in our community because we are facing a quiet crisis of disconnection.

“Rural and regional areas like ours often contend with geographic isolation, limited local psychiatric resources, and a traditional culture of ‘toughing it out’ that prevents people from asking for help,” she said.

“By establishing a dedicated, regular meeting space, we are building a reliable safety net. It ensures that anyone experiencing suicidal ideation, or any family member navigating the aftermath of a loss, knows exactly where to find an empathetic community that understands their pain.

“Moving forward, these meetings will absolutely become a regular fixture,” Ms Tighe said.

“Our goal is to foster ongoing resilience rather than just offering a one-off response to tragedy. We want to equip local residents with practical intervention skills, provide continuous emotional scaffolding, and ultimately shift our local culture into one where mental health is openly discussed at the kitchen table,” she said.

Cr McGrady urges people suffering mental illness to never be ashamed to reach out for help.

He said strength is not about suffering in silence.

“Strength is speaking up. Strength is surviving another day when life feels heavy,” Cr McGrady said.

“Sometimes, people simply need someone who will sit with them, hear them without judgement, and remind them they are valued and loved.

“To anyone who may be struggling, please hear this clearly: You matter. Your life has meaning.  And there are people who care deeply about you,” Cr McGrady said.

“And to our men, especially – our fathers, brothers, uncles, sons and mates. We must break the cycle of bottling everything up.

“You do not have to carry the weight of the world alone. Talking does not make you weak. It makes you human.

“To our young people: your future is important,” he said.

“No matter how hard things may seem right now, there is always another chapter ahead of you. Please keep going.”

Cr McGrady said his door was always open.

“If anyone ever needs someone to yarn with, someone to listen, or simply a shoulder to lean on, I am more than willing to be there however I can,” he said.

“Because, at the end of the day, real community is not just about celebrating together during good times – it is about standing beside one another during the hard times, too.”

Cr McGrady sincerely thanked event organisers, health workers, Elders, support services, volunteers and community members who spoke openly at the meeting.

“These initiatives save lives. They create hope, and they remind people they are not alone,” he said.

“Let us continue building a stronger, more compassionate, and more connected community – one where nobody feels forgotten, nobody feels abandoned, and nobody feels like they have to suffer in silence.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You are not alone.

Call Lifeline at 13 11 14, text 0477 131114, or visit Lifeline for 24/7 confidential support.

Shamira’s story

A life in addiction isn’t a life at all; I was beautifully broken and refused to fall.

I have always said good things come in threes; it became an addiction and a disease.

From the inside out, it was consuming me; for years and years, it was numbing me inside.

I was losing my integrity, humility, dignity, and pride.

I was so obsessed, entangled, and entwined; sucking on bongs, smoking a pipe, and drinking lots of red wine.

I was constantly drunk, stoned, and high; from the inside out, I wanted to die;

I was coerced, controlled, and manipulated; I was a victim, then perpetrator, then incarcerated;

The emotions I felt and the tears I cried; I was like a jack-in-the-box, attempting suicide;

I got so angry, anxious, and very annoyed; returning to that cycle to fill that void.

From the inside out, I hid it so well; fearful and avoidant, I refused to tell.

I took advantage of beautiful people and their vulnerabilities; neglecting and rejecting my own capabilities.

Supporting an addict with a massive ego; I was so very stubborn and refused to swallow

the truth.

I started to inflict hurt, pain, and lots of sorrow; continuously walking through that evil shadow.

I thought I wasn’t going to see tomorrow, started knocking on the devil’s door, and trying to end my life in 2024.

Once again, I just wanted to die, yelling and screaming, “Why, God, why”?

A miracle happened when I received a call, to end this chaotic madness once and for all.

A beautiful soul from TGFW named Tammy; my beautiful friends I met now call “Shammy.”

I started working, and started to undress all my frustrations of anger and stress.

The guilt, shame, remorse, and regrets; I was told to forgive, but never forget.

Redemption in the past and respect on my mind; today I am beautiful and now very kind.

Dream big and imagine what “IFS”; each day I am flipping my switch.

The addict and ego can go to hell; I am no longer suffering from being unwell.

Shamira Duncan, April 7, 2026

 

 

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