Brett was desperate when his marriage of 23 years crumbled and he had to leave his house, his wife and four children.
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He had nowhere to go and was bracing himself for a life in the rough – living in the street.
And it came at the worst of times, after he had also come out of hospital, having recovered from an illness.
At that point, he remembered an organisation called Dads In Distress and Maitland councillor Philip Penfold, whom he had met.
It was just the right time, for Cr Penfold had then just formed the Hunter Valley Men’s Crisis Support.
“I didn’t know what to do or where I was going to go,” Brett said. “I was really in dire need of accommodation.
“I didn’t want to lose my job in the club industry and I wanted to get back on my feet again.
“I had been in hospital because my medication levels were very high.”
Brett said it was very difficult for thousands of men in his situation to get back on their feet.
“We rarely hear stories about how things are for men in crisis after a divorce,” he said.
“Very often men find it extremely difficult to cope, both financially and in other circumstances.”
As manager of Crisis Support, Cr Penfold was in an ideal position to help.
“They offered me security – a little place in which I could live in comfort and security,” Brett said.
“I had felt life closing in – I was depressed and felt worthless.
“But able to live in a place by myself, I slowly began to recover my self-esteem.
“Now I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
“I still have my job and I feel worthwhile again.
“And there is more: through Philip and other members of the Hunter Valley Men’s Crisis Support, I have made some wonderful friends.
“I no longer feel alone.
“And when I come home each day to my little home, I am so grateful.”
