- J
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- J
Short Version:
I will walk +500km with a footy in hand, rain, hail, or shine, from Manly Beach NSW to Burra Bee Dee Mission near Coonabarabran, NSW.
My “White” nan was born in England and moved to Manly, NSW at 12.
My “Black” nan, Indigenous, was born in Dubbo NSW to a Stolen Generation mother who was placed on Burra Bee Dee Mission.
Two cultures with a painful history, but my grandmothers never were, and never will be, enemies.
This walk exists to reduce the social isolation & negative mental health impacts of a divided society by creating conversations leading to building understanding & empathy, rather than blame.
Please consider donating to help make this possible.
All funds raised will go toward establishing a non-profit foundation, advancing mental health for all communities in Australia.
Longer Version: I created YourOnlineBrother for two core reasons.
Second, to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes through education, dialogue, and community connection.
But raising awareness on social media alone is not enough anymore.
We need powerful acts and organisations that reduce harm, and create better mental health outcomes for all Australians.
That is why I am walking from Manly Beach to Burra Bee Dee Mission.
This walk symbolises trying to navigate mental health by walking between two cultures, two worlds, with a painful history and the mental and emotional toll that history still places on people today.
I am not walking to “unite” the country for the sake of it.
I am walking because social division and therefore social isolation, damages mental health for Indigenous peoples and Non-Indigenous peoples in Australia.
Why this walk matters:
My maternal grandmother Gill, who is "White", was born in England and arrived in Australia at 12, seeking a better life. She moved into a flea infested unit in Manly NSW and went on to spend her career nursing and caring for Indigenous children.
My paternal grandmother Kimberley, who is "Black", was born in Dubbo NSW. She is the daughter of my great grandmother Gwendoline, who was stolen as a child and placed on Burra Bee Dee Mission, never reunited with her family.
Neither of my grandmothers caused harm. Neither deserved the psychological pain carried by history.
Yet today, I still hear people from Non-Indigenous Australians as enemies, and I hear others frame Indigenous people the same way.
This ongoing blame, fear, and misunderstanding causes real psychological harm.
It creates poor mental health, anxiety, identity stress, anger, shame, and disconnection on all sides.
And I have felt that personally. I still to this day, brace myself when people talk about Indigenous peoples or non-Indigenous peoples, because I have seen what that division does to families, communities, and mental health.
Why this should matter to you:
When we stay socially isolated and divided, we stay psychologically unwell.
A divided society struggles with mental health crises, addiction, family breakdown, violence, disconnection, and hopelessness.
This is not just a cultural battle for Australians.
This is a mental health battle.
The point of this is about reducing harm, lowering emotional tension, and building the psychological safety needed for people and communities to function in Australia.
Why the footy?:
There are two reasons. First, footy was everything to me as a kid. Trauma, mental health struggles, and internalised shame made me quit the game I loved.
Carrying this footy is about reclaiming power for the younger version of myself who walked away carrying shame.
Second, footy brings people together. On the field, colour fades. What matters is the team, the community, and the shared effort.
That spirit of connection without hostility is part of this country. It is also a protective factor for mental health.
What the funds will support:
I aim to raise over twenty thousand dollars to establish a non profit foundation focused on reducing the mental health impacts of racism and discrimination.
The foundation will work to improve Australia mental health through prevention, education and dialogue.
Funds will cover legal setup, insurance, administration, and registration costs including DGR.
Any additional costs will be covered by me personally.
If funds exceed the target, they will support expansion of the foundation and basic supplies for the walk itself.
Every contribution helps reduce harm and build a healthier future.
Much love, Jordan.
PS: I will be walking over the literal Great Dividing Range as a deep psychological symbol.
Organizer
