Building Stronger Communities | Saturday 24 October 2026 | SWR 99.9 FM

Where everyone has a place, and every story matters.

Throughout October, Building Stronger Communities has been exploring an important message for Mental Health Month: Mental Health Starts Before Crisis.

This week, we turned our attention to Australia’s trucking community — the people who spend long hours on our roads, often away from family, keeping our country moving.

But behind every truck is a person, with their own story, challenges and connections.

We also celebrated the remarkable community spirit behind Convoy for Kids Sydney, explored how serious childhood illness affects entire families, and discussed the importance of looking after one another.

🚛 Behind the Wheel — A Conversation with Mark Smallwood

🎙️ Special Guest: Mark Smallwood, Vice President, Convoy for Kids Sydney

With more than 25 years of experience driving trucks and involvement in Convoy for Kids Sydney dating back to 1995, Mark brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for his community.

Our conversation explored:

• 🚚 Life behind the wheel and how the transport industry has changed.
• 🧠 Mental health, fatigue and the pressures of working on the road.
• 🤝 The importance of mateship and checking in on fellow drivers.
• ❤️ How the trucking community comes together to support sick children and their families.

One message stood out throughout our discussion:

Being strong doesn’t mean we never need support.

Whether you’re a truck driver, a shift worker, a parent or someone juggling the pressures of everyday life, connection matters.

🎧 Listen to Mark’s conversations

🔊 Recording 1 — Behind the Wheel: Life in the Trucking Industry

🔊 Recording 2 — Mental Health, Fatigue and Mateship

🔊 Recording 3 — Convoy for Kids Sydney: Making a Difference

❤️ Convoy for Kids Sydney — More Than a Convoy

Convoy for Kids Sydney brings together truck drivers, transport businesses, volunteers and families with one shared purpose: helping children facing serious health challenges.

While the sight of trucks travelling together is impressive, the real story is about the people whose lives are touched by the generosity of the trucking community.

During our Knowledge is Power segment, we highlighted two organisations supported by Convoy for Kids Sydney.

🚑 NETS — Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service

NETS provides specialist emergency transport and clinical support for critically ill babies and children across NSW.

🧸 Kidzfix

Kidzfix supports initiatives that improve the lives of sick and disadvantaged children, including medical and care-related assistance.

These organisations remind us that when a child becomes seriously unwell, the impact extends far beyond the hospital room.

Parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters can all be affected.

And that brings us to another important conversation from this episode.

🧒 The Brothers and Sisters We Sometimes Overlook

When a child becomes seriously ill, families understandably focus on treatment, medical appointments and providing care.

But what happens to the brothers and sisters?

Some may experience worry, loneliness, confusion or guilt. Others may feel they need to be strong because their parents already have so much to manage.

During our second hour, Bethanie Jones helped us explore this important topic through the story of Natalie, whose younger brother Henry was diagnosed with leukaemia at just seven years old.

Through the Super Important Brothers and Sisters program, Natalie connected with other young people facing similar family experiences.

The message was simple but powerful.

Every child deserves to feel heard, included and supported — even when they aren’t the one receiving medical treatment.

Connection with other young people who understand can make a meaningful difference.

🧠 Brain Energy with Luke Evans

Stress, fatigue and the importance of connection

Our regular Brain Energy contributor, Luke Evans, joined the program as we continued exploring the relationship between our brain, behaviour and everyday wellbeing.

This week’s focus included the pressures of prolonged stress, fatigue and isolation.

Whether we’re driving long distances, working shifts, caring for others or managing busy lives, our brains need opportunities for rest and recovery.

Looking after our mental wellbeing isn’t something we should only think about when we’re struggling.

It’s about the everyday habits, conversations and connections that help us stay well.

🎧 Listen to Brain Energy with Luke Evans

Second Hour Building Stronger Comminities

🩸 Local Locker Room — A Team Effort That Could Save Lives

With Bethanie Jones

Our Local Locker Room took a different direction this week.

Instead of focusing on sport, Bethanie challenged Western Sydney sporting clubs, workplaces and community groups to bring their team spirit to something that could make a life-changing difference.

Donating blood.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has been calling for more eligible donors, including across Western Sydney.

Bethanie encouraged local teams to organise group donations and reminded younger listeners that even if they aren’t eligible to donate, they can still help spread the message.

📍 Penrith Donor Centre

Unit 9, 69 York Road, Jamisontown NSW

📞 13 14 95

🌐 Visit Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

Check current opening hours and eligibility before booking.

🎧 Listen to Bethanie’s Local Locker Room

🤝 Mental Health Starts Before Crisis

As we continue through Mental Health Month, this episode reminds us that looking after our mental wellbeing doesn’t always begin with a formal conversation about mental health.

Sometimes it begins with:

• ☎️ Calling a mate who has been away on the road.
• ☕ Taking time to connect with someone over a cuppa.
• ❤️ Asking a family member how they’re really coping.
• 🧒 Making sure children and young people feel included and heard.
• 🚛 Recognising the people whose work keeps our communities moving.

We can be independent and still need connection. We can be strong and still need support.

And sometimes, the most important thing we can do is simply show up for someone else.

🎙️ Catch Up on Building Stronger Communities

Episode: Trucking, Mental Health and Convoy for Kids Sydney

📅 Saturday 24 October 2026

📻 SWR 99.9 FM — Sydney’s West

🎙️ Hosted by Michelle Hillier

Featured voices: Mark Smallwood, Luke Evans and Bethanie Jones.

🎧 Listen to the close episode

Thank you to Mark Smallwood and everyone involved in Convoy for Kids Sydney, and to the truck drivers who dedicate their working lives to keeping Australia moving.

And thank you to our contributors and listeners for continuing these important community conversations.

💚 Coming Up Next Week – Saturday 31 October 2026

Mental Health Month Finale – Mental Health at Work: Prevention, Inclusion & Belonging

As Mental Health Month comes to a close, Building Stronger Communities turns its attention to mental health in the workplace, reflecting on the importance of creating environments where people feel safe, supported, respected and valued.

🎙️ Betty – Lived Experience and Employment
Betty shares her personal experience of living with mental illness, the challenges of stigma and employment, and why meaningful work, understanding and inclusion can make such a difference.

🧠 Prevention Before Crisis
We’ll explore why workplace mental health is about more than responding when someone is struggling. It’s about recognising psychosocial hazards, preventing harm, encouraging supportive conversations and creating a culture where people feel comfortable speaking up.

🤝 Reflecting on Mental Health Month
From young people and families to disability, community connection and the trucking industry, we’ll revisit the conversations that have reminded us that mental health touches every part of our lives, including where we work.

Because a mentally healthy workplace isn’t just about supporting people when things go wrong. It’s about creating the conditions that help people thrive.

📻 Tune in Saturday 31 October, 8am–10am, on SWR 99.9 FM – Sydney’s West.

Building Stronger Communities — where everyone has a place, and every story matters.

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