Keaton attended Bishop Druitt College from Year 5 in 1998 to the School Certificate Year 10 in 2003 before moving to the Coffs Harbour Education Campus.

Keaton spent about 9 years in the military which included about 2 years on service in the Middle East. When this post came to an end, Keaton attended a hospital in Currumbin for several months for his mental health. Keaton and a mate Jamie felt the desire to share their experience in helping other men. They have established a group called “Sawtell Men” to assist men in coping with mental health issues and provide companionship. Jamie has expertise in physical wellbeing as a fitness and sports coach and the two working together, complement each other.

There is a group of about 20 men who meet early on a Friday morning for a physical workout before adjourning to the cafe for a coffee, chat and catch-up. In this current financial climate, participants who come from backgrounds that find the costs of GP visits, gym membership, etc, too demanding, appreciate having this free service offered by this amazing local organisation.

“Sawtell Men” provides a welcoming group for newcomers to the district in rain, hail or shine.

Keaton says, “Being able to meet regularly in a safe and supportive environment, and not only work on physical but mental health, has been very rewarding.”

Congratulations to Keaton for his benevolence and selfless commitment to helping others.

Post Script: the Alumni Officer taught not only Keaton, his brother Mattison and his sister Kendall here at BDC but also their late father at Tamworth High School in the late ‘60s.