Brisbane mother recognised for starting charity after son’s death
Mia Bannister’s son died by suicide after developing an eating disorder. She tells InDaily how a charity started in his name is now reaching thousands of students.
Mia Bannister, the founder of charity Ollie’s Echo, has been named one of three finalists in the 2026 Westfield Chermside Local Heroes program.
The Brisbane mum launched Ollie’s Echo: Pathways to Prevention last year after her son Ollie, 14, took his own life after developing an eating disorder in 2024.
“I would give anything for there to be no reason for Ollie’s Echo to exist, but because it does, I am determined to make his story count,” Bannister says.
Drawing on her lived experiences, Bannister works with students, parents, educators, workspaces, community organisations and policymakers to advocate for action before a young person reaches crisis point.
Bannister said the foundation of Ollie’s Echo came after she experienced a lack of support for young people.
“After Ollie died, I kept coming back to all the things I wished I had known earlier,” Bannister said. “About eating disorders in boys, about the impact of words and bullying, about the online world young people are navigating, about algorithms and social media and about how easily warning signs can be missed until a child is already in crisis.”
Now, Bannister is being recognised for her work on the national charity focused on prevention, early intervention and awareness around eating disorders in young men, bullying, body image, social media and the power of kindness.
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She explains that when you speak openly to young people about bullying, body image and social media, they are incredibly perceptive and quick to understand the connection.
“One of the things I love hearing most is when a student says ‘Thank you for your words Mia, no one has said that to me before’,” Bannister says. “We have directly saved three young lives from these conversations and potentially many more.”
She adds that, for far too long eating disorders have been stereotyped as something that primarily affects teenage girls, a dangerous stereotype that turns a blind eye to the boys also suffering.
“It can look different in boys,” she explains. “Young boys are being exposed to an enormous amount of content around appearance, fitness, masculinity, diet, supplements and increasingly extreme ideas about what a male body should look like.”
The Westfield Local Heroes program aims to shine a light on individuals making a positive impact their local community – Bannister has been named one of three finalists, with nominations from the local community.
Less than 12 months since its foundation, Ollie’s Echo has reached more than 3,500 students.
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“I’m very conscious that while my name may be on the finalist poster, this recognition belongs to everyone who has supported Ollie’s Echo,” Bannister says. “Our volunteers, partners, schools, families, young people and the many people who continue to open doors for us.”
The finalist who receives the most community votes will receive a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent, with each follow-up finalist given $5,000 for their organisation.
Bannister said the grant would allow Ollie’s Echo to work into more schools and communities, particularly where cost can be a barrier.
“For a small, volunteer-led charity, $20,000 would make an enormous difference.”
Bannister hopes young people can understand the power their words and actions can have, and for parents to stay curious about their child’s online and offline world.
“We cannot wait until a child reaches crisis before deciding their wellbeing matters.”
Community voting for the 2026 Westfield Local Heroes program is open from August 25 to September 20.
The two other finalists include Carolina Puleston from Commonkind and Suki O’Dea from Nexus Care.
Lifeline: 13 11 14, lifeline.org.au
Headspace: 1800 650 890, headspace.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 635, beyondblue.org.au
SANE Support line and Forums: 1800 187 263, saneforums.org
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