GUEST SPEAKER—Jacquie Gilbee Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Group.
Jacquie opened by thanking our club for generous sponsorship given for the inaugural Suicide Awareness Walk in 2021, Her son Russell took his life in 2017 and this gave Jacquie the reasons she needed to organise the walk. She told us that when you lose someone to suicide you suffer sole destroying grief and she is still getting counselling.. In fact, she said the new normal comes 3 years after someone dies of natural causes, but it takes 6-7 years if they die by suicide. Jacquie went on a similar walk at Mt Macedon and experienced acceptance, shock at how many were walking, feeling better by being there. She went on 2 other walks then attended the Winter Solstice in Albury and used all of these experiences to do research for the Yea walk. They had to consider things like how long to make the walk, food, showbags, logos, marketing etc but she wanted to create a happy event where lost ones could be remembered.
Jacquie has spoken at the Royal Commission into Mental Health and continues to do research. The walk supports those left behind and increases awareness.
Jacquie opened by thanking our club for generous sponsorship given for the inaugural Suicide Awareness Walk in 2021, Her son Russell took his life in 2017 and this gave Jacquie the reasons she needed to organise the walk. She told us that when you lose someone to suicide you suffer sole destroying grief and she is still getting counselling.. In fact, she said the new normal comes 3 years after someone dies of natural causes, but it takes 6-7 years if they die by suicide. Jacquie went on a similar walk at Mt Macedon and experienced acceptance, shock at how many were walking, feeling better by being there. She went on 2 other walks then attended the Winter Solstice in Albury and used all of these experiences to do research for the Yea walk. They had to consider things like how long to make the walk, food, showbags, logos, marketing etc but she wanted to create a happy event where lost ones could be remembered.Jacquie has spoken at the Royal Commission into Mental Health and continues to do research. The walk supports those left behind and increases awareness.
Statistics show that 9 Australians take their lives per day.
- 75% of these are male
- Age group predominantly 15-44 years old
- 65000 known attempts are made by people wanting to take their lives per year.
- Higher incidence of suicide in the country.
- Of these 85 years old plus make up the highest group.
Our sponsorship helped buy a 50 metre banner which brought joy to all those seeing it.
Jacquie particularly wanted to thank Ken Foletta for the 62 photos he took, all of which showed great happiness.
The walk will take place on the 2nd Sunday in September from now on.
There were lots of questions from the floor as well as the sharing of stories.
The walk will take place on the 2nd Sunday in September from now on.
There were lots of questions from the floor as well as the sharing of stories.
3 MINUTER—Sue Carpenter
In her role as Mayor, Sue had recently visited a Ukrainian camp established at Buxton in the 60s. It is run by 2nd and 3rd generation Ukrainians and was attended by approximately 80 women and young refugees. Sue gained some insight into their daily lives. They mostly have mobile phones so are able to keep in touch with loved ones in Ukraine. The phones have the air raid warning signals still installed and they are able to hear it as it happens at home and this causes trauma.
In Buxton, these refugees, on a temporary visa stay on a bush block and the kids get the chance to play (mostly soccer), sit around bonfires and generally relax.
In her role as Mayor, Sue had recently visited a Ukrainian camp established at Buxton in the 60s. It is run by 2nd and 3rd generation Ukrainians and was attended by approximately 80 women and young refugees. Sue gained some insight into their daily lives. They mostly have mobile phones so are able to keep in touch with loved ones in Ukraine. The phones have the air raid warning signals still installed and they are able to hear it as it happens at home and this causes trauma.
In Buxton, these refugees, on a temporary visa stay on a bush block and the kids get the chance to play (mostly soccer), sit around bonfires and generally relax.