Welcome to the Dead Noise podcast. Today we have Ben Hamilton from Kickin The Punt. It is so amazing to be back in the chair with you all and bringing you such an amazing guest today in Ben Hamilton from Kickin the Punt. I’ve recorded several episodes which will be the start in a new series under this Dead Noise banner which will be coming out weekly going forward. From a personal perspective and almost selfish one I jumped at the opportunity to speak with Ben. Pokie machines have not only destroyed the community around me in many ways but have played a detrimental role in my life at times. Like many young Australians I grew up thinking ‘having a punt’ is part of our life, as Aussie as getting blind drunk on Australia Day... until you realise it’s a disgusting and harmful way of life. Pokies need to go and we need to be more vocal about changing the culture that surrounds them. In my opinion there’s few better people qualified then Ben to lead the charge! Like our drinking culture in Australia, our views around gambling need to change.

Ben's released a documentary titled Our stories , our truth - The suicide of Gary Van Duinen. Gary took his own life in 2018 because of a pokie machine addiction and the documentary follows his footsteps on that tragic night. Garys story is sadly not an isolated one, where at risk gamblers have a 15 times higher chance of committing suicide, with some studies showing at least 1 in 5 gamblers attempt suicide. Gary spent his final night at his local RSL where he had a long history drinking and gambling. The RSL has a mission statement that outlines their aim to promote government and community awareness of the need for a secure and progressive Australia. You have to ask yourself though, where does filling your clubs with sole destroying, life wrecking, suicide causing pokie machines fit into the community awareness. We’ve come a long way from the Whitlams anthem of blow up the pokies and it seems we are in a much worse place from when the song was released.

As a disclaimer this episode does touch on some dark topics. Please if you are uneasy with discussion around mental health and suicide tune out now. For those seeking help contact lifeline on 131114

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Our stories , our truth - The suicide of Gary Van Duinen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy69dWIQR1g

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