INTERNATIONAL SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE DAY

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:37): I rise to speak today about International Survivors of Suicide Day which was held on 17 November and also to pay some tribute and coverage to events that were held on and around that day that I was able to participate in. Firstly, on Friday 16 November, the Salvation Army Hope for Life Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Support organisation hosted the South Australia Lifekeeper Memory Quilt launch and an associated healing and remembrance ceremony at the Salvation Army Adelaide Congress Hall in Pirie Street.

The quilt launch and the ceremony were facilitated by Ms Jill Chapman who is the chairperson and founder of Minimisation of Suicide Harm (MOSH) Australia. We were also pleased that envoy Alan Staines who is the Director of Salvation Army Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Support service was involved, and I acknowledge that the member for Port Adelaide in another place, Dr Susan Close, represented the Minister for Health and Ageing. Also, the Salvation Army Territorial Commander Commissioner Raymond Finger was involved in the ceremony.

It was a very moving ceremony. There were some presentations from bereaved families throughout the quilt launch. The quilt features the photographs of 30 South Australians who have committed suicide. It was particularly moving in relation to some families who had two immediate members of their family whose pictures were on the quilt. There was one occasion where a woman whose father and brother were featured on the quilt and then there was another lady whose two sons' photographs were part of that quilt. I think it made those of us who were there reflect on the impact of suicide on the community. The healing and remembrance ceremony featured what is called a four-candle ritual, where family members are invited to light a candle and mention their friend or loved one's name if they chose, and the people who were there participated in that significantly.

On Saturday 17 November, I was involved in an opportunity for many people who had been bereaved through suicide to meet and talk about the impact of those events. This was held at Woodville Park and was conducted by MOSH Australia. It featured a well-produced DVD which came out of the United States around the issues that are part of the reason we commemorate International Survivors of Suicide Day. I appreciated the opportunity to be involved.

Last Saturday, I was pleased to participate in an extension of Lifting the Mask, a suicide prevention and information forum, which followed one that was run by the City of Playford and the Rotary Club of Elizabeth earlier this year. The follow-up sessions held last Friday and Saturday were very worthwhile. I am very pleased that as a result of that work there will be a support group for families in the northern suburbs and nearby areas who have been bereaved through suicide. In conclusion, I am very pleased to say that the Liberal Party in South Australia is the first party I am aware of to create a portfolio for suicide prevention.