NRL great to headline free Fraser Coast business workshops

Former Queensland State of Origin and Australian Kangaroos rugby league star David Shillington, now a leading mental health educator, will deliver two free resilience and wellbeing workshops for Fraser Coast business managers next month.

The Business Managers Program – Be Buoyant will be held in Hervey Bay on Monday 10 November at 65 Main Street, Pialba and in Maryborough on Tuesday 11 November at the Brolga Theatre. Each session runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Fraser Coast Regional Council Economic Development spokesperson Cr Daniel Sanderson said the workshop was part of Council’s Jobs Ready initiative to strengthen local small businesses.

“It’s not every day you get to learn leadership and resilience strategies from someone who has represented Queensland and Australia at the highest level,” Cr Sanderson said.

“David Shillington combines elite sporting experience with a passion for mental health education. This program will give our business managers practical tools to support their teams, reduce stress and build stronger, more positive workplaces.”

After retiring from a 16-year NRL career, Mr Shillington became a Master Principal Instructor in Mental Health First Aid and has trained workplaces across Australia.

His ‘Be Buoyant’ program focuses on psychosocial safety and equips leaders with strategies in communication, conflict resolution, resilience, and wellbeing.

Topics covered include:

• Supporting mental health in the workplace
• Health and wellbeing strategies for busy schedules
• Conflict resolution and communication
• Managing stress and fatigue
• Resilience strategies (movement, sleep, diet)
• Behaviour and team management
• Leadership training

The two workshops are free for Fraser Coast small businesses, with lunch and afternoon tea included. Places are limited to one ticket per business, and an ABN is required at registration.

• Hervey Bay, Monday 10 November: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/business-managers-program-be-buoyant-hervey-bay-tickets-1752291132949
• Maryborough, Tuesday 11 November - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/business-managers-program-be-buoyant-maryborough-tickets-1752312286219

The Jobs Ready Program is run by the Fraser Coast Regional Council and funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.