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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2021
INAUGURAL WALK AT YEA FOR SUICIDE AWARENESS
● Rickey East and Jacky Gilbee wit walk mascots ‘Jill’ and ‘Tim Tim’.
● Rotary Club of Yea volunteers help at the Goulburn Valley Inaugural Suicide Awareness Walk. The 2022 walk will be held on the second Sunday of September. Keep in contact through www.gvsag.org.au
■ The inaugural Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Group Walk was held from Yea Railway Station on Sunday (Nov. 21). Steve Joblin reports: “Passers-by on Station St, or using the Rail Trail in the heart of Yea on Sunday morning, may have wondered about the activities and the gathering at Yea Railway Station. “Close to 100 people had come together to take part in the inaugural Walk for Suicide Awareness - created from months of planning to offer a grass roots mental health initiative for our region. “Goulburn Valley SuicideAwareness Group was formed back in February, through the inspiration and drive of Jacky Gilbee. “Jacky brought together a team of passionate people who really cared about mental health. The team focussed on offering an opportunity in our Goulburn Valley communities and beyond, for people suffering the loss of loved ones- family, colleagues and friends, through suicide, to walk together. “Walk together we did, with guest speakers Jane and Jacky, both mothers who have lost their children, Jessica and Russell to suicide, sharing their thoughts. “Kerry, one of our volunteer counsellors, emphasised the community support and symbolism of the day. “Our MR supporter-advocate Cindy McLeish read the honour roll of our remembered and loved, to be carried with us on the Walk. Then, we walked – carrying stones with personal messages and names. “Several extra special guests walked with us – our canine friends who give us so much love and support. “The most poignant part of the day for me was meeting Russell Stacpool’s dog Timtim (also referred to as Tim Tim the Dim Sim). “So many dedicated volunteers made this Walk possible. Thanking people enough is never possible in a short report, but to every sponsor, community organisation, business, media group and individual volunteer.”
● Part of the gathering at Yea Station on Sunday. If you feel the need for support, contact Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 26, Lifeline 13 11 14. Don’t forget your GP, who is there to help you and is the first step in your ‘Walk” to healing.