THE fabric of two towns will gain new strength when residents walk 8km and put a face to tackling mental wellbeing.
The Tarnagulla and Newbridge districts will use the September 7 walk between their towns as a healing step following the recent sudden deaths of three men within five weeks.
“We want to support each other,” said walk co-organiser and Tarnagulla post office owner Mary Wollmering. “We have to look after each other.”
Local church pastor Michelle Heather said: “The walk is a time to reflect, remember and engage with nature.”
Another Tarnagulla resident Jan Sharman said: “We want people to talk on the walk. It doesn’t matter what stories people tell each other, as long as they are able to open up and chat.”
“It’s really important for people to stay in touch ... that’s just so important and it may take a bit more effort some times to connect but it’s a positive way to stay in touch,” she said.
Mary and Newbridge Hotel owner Michele Mizzi say their businesses are a barometer for life in the small towns. The post office is Tarnagulla’s spot where locals have for a coffee and chat.
The hotel, too, has its finger on the daily pulse of town emotions. Michele said the recent loss of lives had been felt across the district.
The four women said the One Foot Forward walk aimed to support their communities and build the message “mental illness isn’t always easy to see”.
They said walkers would leave Tarnagulla’s Soldiers’ Memorial Park at 2pm on the “walk n talk” to Newbridge hall.
“We will have a courtesy bus travelling with walkers for anyone who may wish to walk only part of the distance,” Mary said.
The shuttle bus will also bring Newbridge people to Tarnagulla before the walk and run a return service afterwards. One Foot Forward will also include an evening barbecue at Newbridge recreation reserve and a comedy night featuring artists Caveman Cavie, Aarti Vincent, Brett Hunter and Huc Richards.
Mary said residents across the district had stepped up their support of each other in the past two months. 
“We’ve instigated One Step Forward with a feeling of wanting to keep that support going,” she said. “We hope we can come together and make a difference.
“And one thing we have learned in recent weeks is that it’s important to take more time to listen.”
Michele Mizzi said: “And the comedy night is about bringing mates together where everyone can have a good laugh and talk.”
“We are small communities looking to heal,” said Michelle Heather.