Charlee takes a break

Charlee Masters was three years old before she saw rain for the first time. Born into a farming family, drought has been a big part of her life.

Like many kids from the land, Charlee, now 17, has seen her family and friends go through some of the toughest times they have ever known. The effect it has had on her is hard to say but Charlee’s mother Angela believes it takes its toll.

“We have to remember that kids aren't just affected by drought on the farm. I think we overlook the impact the drought has had on children in small communities too. Everything seems normal, but behind closed doors, you've got mum and dad struggling to maintain their farms and their businesses. Kids see what their parents are going through, and they feed off our frustrations.”

Mother to four daughters, Angela is always looking for opportunities to broaden her kids’ horizons beyond the farm they live on in Carathool, NSW. So, when Charlee brought her information about the Giz a Break program she jumped at the chance to sign three of them up to an adventure of a lifetime.

Giz a Break is a drought initiative aimed at providing young people living on drought-affected farms across the Murrumbidgee with a weekend of respite and off-road adventures – like four-wheel driving, going to the beach, hiking and fishing – combined with life-lessons in building resilience.

Charlee was sold on the idea the minute she heard about it and said she gained a lot from the experience.

“I heard about Giz A Break at school when Zonk and Dan [program leaders] came to the school and gave us a bit of an information session about it and what the trip would look like. I thought it would be really amazing to experience stuff that we don't really get to experience out here, while also incorporating self-care.

“The Giz a Break program focuses on resilience, social support and your mental wellbeing and something I learned about myself was that I'm stronger than what I think. I can not only help those around me, but I can help myself too. 

“The best thing about the trip was getting a chance to open up to people you wouldn't think you'd be able to open up to, all the while experiencing things that we never get to experience out here, especially during a drought. We don't get to see beaches or rainforests every day!

More than just a fun getaway, Angela has noticed a change in Charlee since the trip.

“There was a massive difference in Charlee when she came back. She’s always been a mature young lady, but she came back with more consideration for people that are affected by different scenarios. She's actually looking out for signs that maybe they’re not okay. She was quite shy, but now with the skills that she learned from Giz a Break, she's been able to go up to that other kid that looks like they're not coping, and sit down and ask, ‘Are you OK?’”

For Charlee, helping yourself and others is easy to do when you realise one key thing.

“The number one lesson I got from Giz A Break is that we're not alone during any struggle. And that’s my tip for others my age: You’re not the only one going through this.

“I think the big thing is being brave enough to approach someone to talk about that type of stuff. Turn to your friends, family, teachers, or whoever, and just open up to them about how you feel. Know that no one is going to judge you for it, and everyone is there to support you.

“You think things are a lot bigger than what they are but having someone there to just tell you that everything's going to be okay is really good.”

Giz A Break is a registered health promotion charity. The initiative promotes the prevention, reduction and control of mental and physical health issues that affect regional and rural communities. The Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network is proud to have provided funding for the program from its Pitch Night initiative.

The Australian Government resource Head to Health has digital mental health and wellbeing resources, for yourself or for someone you care about – visit headtohealth.gov.au.

Anyone who is experiencing a mental health emergency (themselves or others) should call Mental Health Line 1800 011 511, Lifeline 13 11 14 or call 000.