LifeForce Memorial Day Newcastle and Hunter region 2009

Wesley Mission LifeForce held a memorial service for people touched by the tragic circumstances of suicide in Newcastle on Thursday 15 October 2009.

LifeForce is a suicide prevention program dedicated to helping reduce the rate of suicide in Australia.

“The service was proved profoundly moving for people as they realise that they are not alone in their grief,” said Rev Keith Garner, Superintendent of Wesley Mission, Sydney.

“It’s vital to break the silence on suicide so that we don’t perpetuate the cycle of despair that began the tragedy. Suicide obeys no demographic profile – it just looks for troubled hearts.”

Speaking at the service was Reverend Keith Garner, Faye Hawley, a local woman who lost her son to suicide and Madelin Fisher a 24 year old graduate from Newcastle University.

After experiencing the suicides of her Uncle David Dennis in 2004 and her boyfriend Ben Baigent in 2007, Madelin established a support group network for people bereaved by suicide. This region now has three suicide presentation networks in Maitland, Port Stephens & East Lake Macquaire.

Australian Idol runner up, Luke Dickens performed some acoustic songs and a memorial wall was set up for family’s to place a photo and personalised message.

At the completion of the service, there was a time for people to place sunflowers into the water as a symbolic act to remember their loved ones.

All photos are owned by Wesley Mission. These images may not be reproduced without the express permission of the photographer. Please contact Wesley Mission for more information.

All photos by Jake Thomas photography.

Click on any picture below to view a larger version.

LifeForce Memorial Day	Rev Dr Keith Garner speaking at the service
Australian Idol runner up, Luke Dickens (right) performs	Madelin Fisher
Faye Hawley	Memorial Wall
Sunflower Ceremony	Sunflowers