Free workshops build skills for difficult conversations

Published on 05 June 2026

• Learn practical skills to support people experiencing stress, grief, trauma, or personal crises.
• Workshops include accidental counselling skills and suicide intervention training.
• Sessions are free, face-to-face, and include morning tea and lunch.

Fraser Coast residents will have the opportunity to learn practical skills to support people through difficult times, with Council offering free Accidental Counsellor Skills - Purposeful Conversations workshops starting next month.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the face-to-face workshops will help participants build confidence in responding to people experiencing stress, grief, trauma or personal crises, while also learning how to recognise and respond when someone may be having thoughts of suicide.

“Many of us find ourselves supporting someone going through a difficult experience, whether it’s after a disaster, a critical incident or a personal crisis,” Cr Seymour said.

“The six-hour sessions will cover active listening techniques, managing challenging conversations, setting healthy boundaries and understanding how to connect someone with professional support.

“The first half of the workshop focuses on accidental counselling skills, while the second half provides training in suicide intervention and prevention.”

Cr Seymour said the workshops would be facilitated by Karen Prestidge, who has more than 25 years’ experience in crisis intervention and community recovery.

“Karen is a highly experienced facilitator who creates safe and supportive spaces where people can build practical skills and confidence,” he said.

“We saw strong interest earlier this year in Council’s Psychological First Aid Training workshops, showing there is a real need in our community to learn how to support others during difficult times.

“Communities recover best when people feel supported and connected, and these workshops help build the confidence needed to have meaningful conversations that could make a real difference in someone’s life.”

The workshops are free to attend and include morning tea and lunch.

• Maaroom: Monday July 13 from 10:30am to 4:30pm - Community Hall
• Bauple: Wednesday July 15 from 9:00am to 3:00pm - Bauple Recreation Centre
• Maryborough: Friday July 17 from 9:00am to 3:00pm - Maryborough Neighbourhood Centre

Residents interested in attending are encouraged to register early at: www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/accidental-counsellor

The Community Recovery Program is funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).