NSCnews Online April 2017 | Page 37

Always emotionally stressful, it was important to dicsonnect at the end of the day, but, as a mother, she took away one important life lesson. “People’s circumstances change so quickly,” she said. “Having a normal, healthy child is a blessing - but it could just as easily be that your child is born with a problem and you become their carer for the rest of your life.” It’s the sort of empathy and understanding that makes her proud of the legatees in whose interests she now works. Apart from the hospital job, she has also taken on some unusual tasks within Education Queensland, and, more recently, for James Cook University. One of those was a suicide prevention conference in the early days of the internet when cyber-bullying was fairly new. In typically optimistic fashion, she fl ipped it on its head and spoke about mental health, rather than mental illness. “We had about 30 organisations involved and we talked about signs and symptoms of deteriorating mental health, and how to introduce programs to build resilience,” she said. A large part of what Nicole hopes to achieve at Legacy Townsville is to improve the club’s links with the city’s corporate community. She wants to connect with businesses that may not be aware of the opportunities off ered by Legacy. “There are many ways Legacy can become involved with them,” Nicole said. Some businesses set aside 7½ hours annually for employees to do volunteer work - that could help a Legacy widow. “Or they might be happy to donate something for a raffl e, or have a Legacy tin hat on the counter.” She said people were surprised Legacy was not a Government-supported agency, but it survived and operated entirely on money raised locally. Her fi rst task in the new job, enthusiastically aided by offi ce manager Wendy Eberle, was to clean out the club’s offi ces, and reorganise the back rooms to make them productive, rather than being storage areas more often forgotten than remembered. “I absolutely love coming to work,” she said. “Everybody is here with the right intent, and here to make a diff erence. “They’re all volunteers, but they’re also members who pay their membership. “They pay for the privilege of volunteering, they pay all the expenses to go out and support people, and they turn up to the club meetings every second Monday night. “That can’t be said about most places where you go to work.” If you want to get involved in Legacy, either as a corporate partner, a volunteer, or a Legatee, contact Nicole at the offi ce phone: [phone]. Nicole Hayes, CEO Legacy Townsville NAB DEFENCE FORCE HOME LOANS You’ve made your commitment. We’ve made ours. For over 25 years, NAB has helped countless members of the Australian Defence Force with home loan expertise and discounted rates. We’re committed to serving those who serve. Talk to a NAB Defence Force Home Loan Expert today. Chris Di Giacomo Mobile Banker Townsville 472 871 855 [email protected] Benefits and discounts only apply to NAB Defence Force Home Loans. Annual package fee may apply. Only available to eligible Defence Force Members. Correct as at 1 July 2016. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending criteria apply. ©2017 National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 230686. A134020-0217 APRIL 2017 | 37