WHEN the opportunity to visit a community like Coledale, former rugby league star Nathan Hindmarsh says it’s a no-brainer.
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Being from a small town myself, I see the importance of having these things happen, it brings communities together.
- Nathan Hindmarsh
Before the cameras arrived at Granny Munro Park, Mr Hindmarsh was playing basketball with some youngsters who had no idea about the former international and Origin-star’s on-field exploits.
“Being from a small town myself, I see the importance of having these things happen, it brings communities together,” he told The Leader.
“It’s a no-brainer, I’ll always put my hand up and say I’ll go out. It’s never a fuss for me.
“I’m a bit like my old man, who could go to a small town and make friends with the first person he met.”
The community came together, not just to form a queue for Mr Hindmarsh’s signature, with close 250 people heading to the park for the NAIDOC Week celebration organised by Tamworth Family Support Service.
Mr Hindmarsh made his name on the field as a tackling-machine, but in his post-playing days he has been using his status to help others tackle their gambling demons.
“Early in my career, I had a problem with poker machines and got into a bit of rut,” he said.
Mr Hindmarsh is open about his struggle with gambling and and hopes sharing his story could inspire others to put their hand up for help.
“If people see me as someone who was brave enough to put their hand up and ask for help, I hope it will inspire other to do the same thing,” he said.
Anglicare counsellor Cheryl Lalor said gambling was a very big issue in Tamworth.
“It is hard, sometimes people don’t realise they have a problem and the gambler has to get to a spot where he is ready to acknowledge he has a problem,” she said.
“Usually by that time, they have got into a big mess and they’re in financial debt.”
ClubSAFE manager for Clubs NSW Rowan Cameron said Mr Hindmarsh has been able to “cut-through” to males under-40 and indigenous populations putting his struggle out there.
“He’s trying to normalise help-seeking behaviour so it's perceived as an act of strength,” Mr Cameron said.