Local work gets national recognition

ALANNAH McGregor has had her efforts to destigmatise suicide in Bendigo and surrounds recognised on a national scale.

A founding member, vice-president and secretary of the Suicide Prevention Awareness Network of Central Victoria, Ms McGregor has been nominated for The Fred Hollows Foundation’s first ever Humanitarian of the Year award.

One of eight finalists from across the country, including only two from Victoria, the local nominee said she was unaware her name had even been put forward for the title, which recognises those caring for others as the late, renowned ophthalmologist did.

“I was honoured and humbled because I didn’t know that somebody had nominated me to begin with, and a little embarrassed because I thought I don’t do it for accolades,” Ms McGregor said.

“I’ve always been really clear that I’m doing this because I’ve never been ashamed that my children died by suicide. I’ve always said that it’s a shame they never had another option.”

Ms McGregor lost her son, Stuart, and daughter, Angela, in 2002, and helped establish SPAN Central Victoria in 2011 to provide a network of support for others in the community affected by suicide.

“It’s a really open place where people who have lost someone to suicide can talk about their loved one without feeling that stigma which, as much as we work at it, is still there,” she said.

Also a volunteer with Compassionate Friends, Ms McGregor speaks with community members who have recently lost a loved one to suicide to help them in their time of grief.

“It’s a real honour to be able to talk with those people and they get it,” she said. “They know that you’re understanding what they’re saying.”

The award winner will be decided through a public vote, which can be accessed online via hollows.org/au/fredawards-vote.