A walk to remember

GOULBURN Valley Suicide Awareness Group (GVSAG) held their fourth annual suicide walk for people affected by suicide.

Yea Rotary Member David Anderson emceed the event, Aunty Angela Ten Buuren spoke of the smoking ceremony that was to take place before the walk commenced. She spoke of how smoking ceremonies are cleansing and have healing properties.

The officials who attended the event were local member Cindy McLeish, Mayor Damien Gallagher and Cr Sandice McAulay.

Organiser Jacky Gilbee spoke to the crowd about her experience with her son’s suicide. Jacky said, “I need to make sure my time here is not wasted, the walk helps others, it helps me.” Jacky spoke of the importance of support after suicide, “I choose to keep going. It doesn’t mean its easy, I choose to keep going on.”

Guest speaker Steve Neff ‘Neffy’, lost his son to suicide 19 years ago. He spoke of the highs and lows he has experienced through this time. He encouraged the crowd to talk about the loved ones and keep their memory alive. He developed a group called we listen and opened a centre in Bendigo. He is a crisis support worker and also works for Lifeline.

He said, ” Please seek help and reach out to someone, its a lot easier to talk to someone than bottle it up.”

Alexandra Secondary College Principal Nigel Lyttle gave a very moving speech about suicide in his personal and professional life.
Local Member Cindy McLeish read out…

Image: It was a beautiful morning for the walk to remember loved ones.