WAYNE Holdsworth has been nominated for the Australian of the Year award. The Frankston District Basketball Association CEO has become one of the country’s leading advocates for suicide prevention. His son Mac died by suicide aged just 17 last year after he was sexually extorted online.
In the year since his son’s death Wayne Holdsworth founded SmackTalk, a charity dedicated to suicide prevention. A statement from the FDBA read “Wayne’s nomination is a testament to his tireless advocacy and profound impact in raising awareness about sexual extortion and suicide prevention.” “Following the loss of his 17-year-old son, Mac, Wayne founded the charity SmackTalk to bring attention to the dangers of sexual extortion and the urgent need for mental health support. His mission is to save lives by sharing his story and helping others recognise warning signs and behaviours in the people they care about. “Despite the countless hours he contributes to Frankston Basketball and SmackTalk, his passion and enthusiasm for both remain unwavering. The resilience he displays daily is something to admire and we are proud to support his journey.”
On 24 October, the one-year anniversary of Mac’s death, Wayne Holdsworth encouraged people to shut off their social media for 24 hours. The Victorian of the Year awards will be held this week, with the winner progressing to the Australian of The Year awards on 25 January.
First published in the Frankston Times – 5 November 2024