SPAN Walk reaches 15-year milestone following large turnout

GEELONG’S leading bereavement support service says it is in need of more support at the bureaucratic level so it can continue to help residents across the Greater Geelong region.

The call for help from the Suicide Prevention Awareness Network (SPAN) comes after its annual SPAN Suicide Awareness Walk, which reached its 15th year on Sunday at Johnstone Park.

Led by Hope Bereavement Care’s executive officer Salli Hickford and event MC Michael Nolan, more than 200 residents took part in the emotional proceedings, gathering in Central Geelong to hear stories, connect with one another, and undertake the 1.2km walk through Geelong’s CBD in honour of loved ones lost to suicide.

“It’s not a great thing when you think about it, but what it does mean is that supporters of the walk continue to return each year to support those who are new to it,” Ms Hickford said.

“That’s kind of the point of why this walk started a decade and a half ago; we wanted it to be a community event.”

SPAN says that suicide is the leading cause of death for both adult males and females aged 15-44 in Australia.

The walk itself is organised and run by volunteers with a living experience of suicide bereavement, while several community organisations are also involved in the event.

Wadawurrung traditional owner Corrina Eccles started the event with a Welcome to Country, while also sharing her own personal loss of her partner five years ago to the day.

Local artists Bella Lear and Ivy Parkinson performed a song written by Ms Lear about her late-brother Jonah.

Sunday also recognised World Suicide Prevention Day. The event is also supported by the Geelong members of the Freemasons, and while Ms Hickford is forever grateful for the Freemasons’ assistance, she is not certain how sustainable the partnership will be in future years.

“We’re hopeful that at some point we’ll get some sort of government funding, as I said the Freemasons have been wonderful over the years, but we don’t know how long that could last,” she said.

“SPAN, which is auspiced by Hope separately, is a great community asset, but there’s months at a time every year we won’t know how we’ll get enough funds to continue.”

Ms Hickford said anyone experiencing pain through suicide or has been affected by suicide is more than welcome to attend the annual walk or call Hope Bereavement.

For more information about Hope or the Support After Suicide program, head to bereavement.org.au, phone 4215 3358 or email [email protected]

If you’re looking for someone to talk to immediately, Lifeline (13 11 14) and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) are available to talk 24/7.