LOCAL Ian Duckworth has published a book about the history of surfing on the Bellarine and Surf Coast, which also aims to shine a light on depression and suicide.<\/p>\n
Barwon-Grove \u2013 The River The Sea It\u2019s In Our Soul is Ian\u2019s fourth book in support of beyondblue, following on from Ocean Grove Surfing in the 60s, Poems of the Point and his last book The Rip.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully it\u2019s a way of bringing the spotlight onto youth suicide,\u201d Ian said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe current statistics of suicide in Victoria in 2017 was 3,128, the road toll for the same period was 198 people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe devastation and destruction that is left behind after suicide is incomprehensible and to talk to a parent who has lost a family member is soul destroying.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the back of the book there is a brutal testimony from a lady who lost her son David to suicide.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the book is also a scrapbook of everything Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ian said he too had been living with depression, and was still around today to tell his story due to the support of his family and friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cEighteen years ago when I had a failed back\u00a0operation, it was the start of my depression, although I had some depression for a long time prior to my\u00a0operation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut when I couldn\u2019t do what I wanted to do, and that was surfing, I just couldn\u2019t deal with anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother thing that brought me down was the amount of medication I\u2019m on, unfortunately I can\u2019t live without it and it messes with your head.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ian said he couldn\u2019t emphasise enough how important it was to slow down and give people the benefit of the doubt.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf someone walks by you and they are looking into space, don\u2019t judge them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf someone is acting strange it\u2019s maybe because the medication they are on.<\/p>\n
\u201cDepression is complicated, it\u2019s deep and widespread.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat gives me the right to pass comment on all these issues it is that I\u2019ve experienced this for 18 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy am I still here?<\/p>\n
\u201cWell I have a loving wife, daughter and mother.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a group of friends that after 18 years still support me and put up with my meltdowns.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m lucky to live in a community that does understand and takes the time to give me and others like me space.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barwon-Grove \u2013 The River The Sea It\u2019s In Our Soul can be purchased from bookgrove in Ocean Grove, where there is also a limited edition of Ocean Grove Surfing the 60s books.<\/p>\n
Barwon-Grove \u2013 The River The Sea It\u2019s In Our Soul costs $30, while Ocean Grove Surfing the 60s costs $20.<\/p>\n
Profits from all the books goes to beyondblue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOCAL Ian Duckworth has published a book about the history of surfing on the Bellarine and Surf Coast, which also aims to shine a light on depression and suicide. Barwon-Grove \u2013 The River The Sea It\u2019s In Our Soul is Ian\u2019s fourth book in support of beyondblue, following on from Ocean Grove Surfing in the […]<\/p>\n