On Monday evening our community came together for a truly moving and powerful event at the Bryan Brown Theatre – a celebration of the life and legacy of Billy ‘The Kid’ Dib.  It was an evening focused on the impacts of bullying and raising awareness about mental health.

It was an honour to host this special event and to sit down with Billy, a two-time world boxing champion, cancer survivor and now a passionate advocate for young people. His story, from overcoming bullying and health challenges to becoming a global sporting icon, is one of resilience, courage and hope.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our guest speakers, Matthew and Kelly, the parents of 12-year-old Charlotte O’Brien who took her own life after being bullied. Their loss and story brought many in the audience to tears.

I also want to thank Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare; Tracy Adams, CEO of Kids’ Helpline, and Gavin Robertson, former Australian cricketer and motivational speaker. Their contributions reminded us all of the urgent need to address bullying and support the mental health of our youth.

We were also joined by NSW Government Minister Jihad Dib, along with many local MPs, Councillors, school leaders, community representatives and, of course, Billy’s family, friends and supporters.

A special mention to Danny Abdullah who lost his three children and their cousin in a fatal crash some five years ago – his presence and strength continue to inspire us all.

The evening was not only a tribute to Billy’s remarkable journey, but also a call to action. Together, we raised over $20,000 for Kids Helpline and shone a light on the importance of standing up against bullying and supporting young people who feel alone or unheard.

Thank you to everyone who attended, donated and helped make the night so memorable. Let’s continue to build a community where every child feels safe, supported and empowered to thrive.

Mayor Bilal El-Hayek
City of Canterbury Bankstown