It’s an Honour to Serve!
One of my life’s guiding principles is that each person should take some time to help out, assist and nurture others – especially those genuinely less fortunate, disadvantaged, and needy – wherever, whenever, and in whatever way they can in order that those lacking might aspire to higher ideals, standards and values.
Community Service I am Proud of!
As a fulltime carer and national advocate it is always an honour and a privilege to make representations to local, regional, state and national authorities.
Advocacy is about getting out there and canvassing for the support of those who have the power to effect change.
On Thursday 17 October 2024, Members of the Darling Downs Warrior Carers Support Group (DDWCSG) were fortunate to be invited to attend a National Carer’s Week Morning Tea hosted by Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald and attended by fellow Councillors: Cr Rebecca Vonhoff, Deputy Mayor; Cr Edwina Farquhar; Cr Trevor Manteufel, and Cr Kerry Shine.
On Monday 14 October 2024 it was a privilege to meet with Suzie Holt to discuss the plight of Australia’s 2.65 million primary (and usually unpaid) carers.
Suzie previously stood, and will be standing again as an Independent Candidate for the Federal Division of Groom at the next federal election.
“It’s clear that carers in our community are often overworked, underpaid, and not given the respect they deserve,” she said.
Suzie added, “when I’m elected, I’ll be standing side by side with you George to make sure carers get a fair go. Carers are the people holding families together, day-in and day-out, and it’s time someone stepped up for them.”
“To all the carers: I see you, I value you, and I’ll fight for the support you need.”
As a fulltime carer and national advocate I was honoured to be representing the thousands of Toowoomba carers – and the Darling Downs Warrior Carers Support Group (DDWCSG) – at The Carers Foundation Australia’s Unsung Heroes 2024 Gala Event held in Brisbane on Saturday 5 October 2024.
The event raised hundreds of thousands of dollars towards the establishment of Australia’s first dedicated Wellbeing and Education Support Centre for family carers across the nation.
The Real Cost of Caring! Taking my advocacy for the better recognition and proper financial remuneration of primary carers to the next level.
Meeting with Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald on Monday 20 November 2023.
EPILEPSY WARRIOR and the national face of Epilepsy Action Australia for the week Thursday 26 October to Wednesday 1 November 2023.
Let’s break the stigma around epilepsy and raise awareness.
Out at the National Senior’s EXPO in Toowoomba on Thursday 26 October 2023 publicising the Darling Downs Warrior Carers Support Group (DDWCSG) and campaigning for carers again. Reported by 7NEWS Queensland.
To coincide with the launch of National Carers Week (Sunday 15 to Saturday 21) 2023 a group of us regional carers and our supporters took to the streets of Toowoomba on Monday October 16 to draw attention to the national plight and struggles of unpaid caregivers.
The Darling Downs Warrior Carers Support Group (DDWCSG) challenged the public to ‘Walk in the Shoes of an Unpaid Carer’ as we carted loads of shoes about town and handed out information brochures.
National Carers Week 2022 once again afforded me the opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.
Carers Australia publicly noted: “George is an incredible advocate and active member of the caring community (16 October 2022).”
CARERS, THE FORGOTTEN PEOPLE. My interview with David Iliffe, On Breakfast, ABC Southern Queensland, Radio 4QS, 747AM. Aired 9.05am on Monday 11 April 2022.
As a fulltime 24/7/365 carer and an advocate for aged care and carers, I accepted the opportunity to make public comment about how the Federal government’s 2022-23 Budget had nothing for Australia’s most vulnerable; among them carer’s like myself.
Accepted voluntary position as Media Spokesperson for the Darling Downs Warrior Carers Support Group (DDWCSG): Toowoomba; Saturday 5 March 2022.
As a Kentucky Colonel and honorary Aide-de-Camp to His Excellency the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Honourable Andy Beshear, I journeyed from my home in Toowoomba to the Gold Coast on Monday 24 January 2022 to present Letters Patent of Commission and vestments to Australia’s latest – and 52nd – Kentucky Colonel Peter Kevin Barry.
Col. Barry was both surprised and shocked – let’s say gobsmacked – to receive his Commission as a Kentucky Colonel.
A University of Queensland Master of Dental Science (Periodontology) graduate, and former RAAF Flight Lieutenant, Col. Barry has been a dental practice owner, clinician and trainer about the Gold Coast since 2001.
Organizer, sponsor and curator of the Hasan Riza Hatti Mushaf-i Serif Qur’an (The Holy Qur‘an Copied by Hasan Riza) Exhibition at the Garden City Mosque: Toowoomba; Saturday 14 November 2020.
At the conclusion of the exhibition, the Hasan Riza Qur’an was donated to the Islamic Society of Toowoomba and finally installed in the new Mosque on Sunday 13 August 2023 where it is now rests permanently in its customised display cabinet.
You can read more about the activities of the Toowoomba Garden City Mosque and the 2020 Exhibition here.
At the 2019 Queensland Community Achievement Awards in Brisbane on Friday 29 November 2019 I received a Certificate of Achievement from the State Minister for Communities and Minister for Disability Services and Seniors, the Hon. Coralee O’Rourke MP.
THE CITATION: “George Helon of Kearneys Spring has been instrumental in enriching the lives of hundreds of people who would have otherwise found themselves disadvantaged during times of trauma, accident, emergency and hospitalisation.”
You can read the article published in Highlife Downs Living magazine on 11 December 2019 here.
On 28 November 2019 I was granted membership of the Genetic Support Network of Victoria’s (GSNV) Speakers Bureau and am now available for public speaking engagements. You can read more about my experience in the genetics community and the topics I can present on here.
As a person with an extremely rare multiple-anomaly genetic disorder (Pallister-Hall Syndrome – PHS) and a rare form of epilepsy (which results in Gelastic, or ‘laughing’ seizures) I was honoured to have been asked by the Genetic Support Network of Victoria (GSNV) to participate in their ‘Lived Experience Interview Podcast Series’.
On Wednesday 14 August 2019 I travelled from Toowoomba in Queensland to attend at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) in Melbourne where a lengthy 55-minute podcast interview was conducted.
The purpose of the series is to explore the impact of genetic conditions across a range of life stages – from the patient’s perspective – so that people might better understand the concerns, and appreciate the realities of a patient’s development and experiences as they get older.
Appointed a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) for the State of Queensland on 17 January 1994, I was honoured to receive an Award Recognising my 25 Years of Distinguished Service from the Hon. David Janetzki, Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for Justice and State Member for Toowoomba South on Friday 22 March 2019.
As an Abuse Victim Survivor Advocate (since 28 October 2014) I attended at the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse which was delivered by the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Scott Morrison MP on Monday 22 October 2018 at Parliament House in Canberra.
Founder and Coordinator Pallister-Hall Syndrome (PHS) Support Hub which provides information, materials and resources to patients, their parents, carers, allied healthcare workers and specialists around-the-world (Facebook): Toowoomba, Queensland; 9 September 2013 to present.
Founder and Coordinator Gelastic Seizure Support Hub (Facebook): Toowoomba; 8 March 2013 to present.
On 16 December 2012 I established (under the auspices of Family Tree DNA in Houston: USA) the Aboriginal Tribes Australia DNA Project which now boasts almost 350 Members.
Member of the Regional Access & Disability Advisory Committee (RADAC), Toowoomba Regional Council; 14 December 2012 to 9 September 2013.
Custodian and Curator for the Helon Theology Reference Library (HTRL): Toowoomba; 21 November 2012 to present.
Commenced active lobbying and public engagement as a National Carer Advocate; Thursday 19 June 2008.
Committee Member of the Queensland Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), Toowoomba City Council; 5 September 2007 to (disbandment on) 17 June 2008.
Founder / Webmaster / Public Liaison and Information Officer for the Pallister-Hall Foundation (Aust.): Toowoomba; 11 April 2002 to 31 December 2005.
Committee Member of the Queensland Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), Burnett Shire, Queensland; June 2000 to June 2001.
Publicity Officer and Newsletter Editor for the Innes Park Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association: Queensland; 1996.
Appointed a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) for the State of Queensland, Australia on 17 January 1994.
Officer Lieutenant in the Australian Army Cadet Corps (AACC), St Patrick’s College Cadet Unit: Ballarat, Victoria; 1992.
Literacy, Numeracy and Educational Tutor specialising in rudimentary language and reading skills programs delivered to adults, children and those with developmental reading disorders (e.g. dyslexia) from 1990.
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Copyright (C) George W. Helon: Australia; 2018-2024.
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