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DIRECTORS REPORT

I would like to thank all our state Co-Coordinators for their magnificent effort throughout the year and organising a service on White Wreath Day for the victims of suicide.

We also thank Schools, Libraries, Community Centres and individuals for their participation in helping us bring to the attention of all  - Action Against Suicide.  This newsletter is brought to you on their behalf.

Fanita Clark
PRESIDENT


THANK YOU'S

DONNA & JEFF PALMER,  PETER SA ACCOUNTANT,  LINA WOOD DIRECTOR WEBSTER & WOOD HAIRDRESSER,  STEPHEN ROBERTSON MP MEMBER FOR STRETTON,  FORTY WINKS MOUNT GRAVATT STORE - GARY ODGERS,  KENNARDS HIRE SPRINGWOOD,  BROWNS PLAINS HOTEL,  INDEX BUSINESS PARK SELF STORAGE,  HOPGOOD GANIM LAWYERS,  SWAGS FAMILY RESTURANT BOOVAL,  COLES SUPERMARKETS AUST P/L HEAD OFFICE, COOPAROO STATE SCHOOL SOUTH AUSTRALIA,  LYRUP PRIMARY SCHOOL SOUTH AUSTRALIA,  NIXON STREET PRIMARY SCHOOL DEVONPORT TASMANIA,  COUNCILLOR JUDY MAGUB - TOOWOONG WARD,  DON MACLACHLAN,  DOROTHY PRATT MLA MEMBER FOR NANANGO,  JOHN ENGLISH MP MEMBER FOR REDLANDS,  JOHN CAMPBELL COUNCILLOR FOR DOBOY,  GRACE GRACE - GENERAL SECRETARY QLD COUNCIL OF UNIONS,  MR ANDREW CRAIG - CEO COMMERCE QLD,  THE RIGHT REVEREND RON WILLIAMS - BISHOP OF THE SOUTHERN REGION,  CRAIG EMERSON FEDERAL MEMBER FOR RANKIN`  HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CLYDE NORTH VICTORIA,  KEDRON WAVELL SERVICE CLUB,  HOTEL CARINDALE.

ALSO A BIG THANK YOU TO METROPOLITAN FUNERALS FOR HOLDING A WHITE WREATH MEMORIAL SERVICE HELPING US CREATE AWARENESS TO ACTION AGAINST SUICIDE.  THE SERVICE WAS HELD ON WED 14TH AUGUST IN THE GREAT SOUTHERN GARDENS OF REMEMBERANCE.



June 2002 saw the exciting release of White Wreath's first CD!

The new CD,"LiSTEN 2 me", features the outstanding talents of Karen Smyth and Ewan MacKenzie and comprises original songs and covers, including a haunting version of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young"

Pure inspiring vocals and intricate guitar work make this album SHINE!
Ewan on acoustic guitar, mandolin, vocals and slide guitar, combined with double bass and Karen's incredibly versatile vocal talent have produced a work that is unique, warm and wonderful.


Karen and Ewan performed at the White Wreath Toowoomba service in April and on National White Wreath Association Day on 29th May in Brisbane, and have now produced this beautiful CD to raise money for the association's White Wreath Centre.  50% of the profits earned from the sale of this CD will go directly to White Wreath.

"It's amazing how some people can turn adversity into a positive message.   I'm sure Karen Smyth's CD will be an inspiration to alot of people"

                                 Rod Henshaw ABC Radio, Brisbane

Orders for the LiSTEN 2 me CD can be directed to        The Debney Corporation Pty Ltd on
Telephone:  (07) 3257 7496
Or visit the website www.thedebneycorporation.com.au and listen to a sample of some of the great songs
Cost - $24.95 plus p/p $3.95 Australia wide
Limited stock.



MEETINGS FOR THE WHITE WREATH ASSOCIATION ARE HELD ON 1ST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH.  BROWNS PLAINS HOTEL, BROWNS PLAINS ROAD


HUSBAND & WIFE STORY

Thank you for all your support and encouragement Fanita.  You convey a great deal of inspiration and help to us to keep going.  There are days when I have had enough and a chat with you gets my blood pumping again.  Becoming involved with the White Wreath Assoc has given us both a purpose in life, it has changed our lives for the better.  It doesn't take away the pain but it helps us to direct it in a more positive way.  People have commented how we seem more at peace.  It is true, I feel more at peace than I have for a long time because I believe in what I am doing and I want to make a difference.  Even if it helps or makes one person think differently I have achieved what I set out to do.
After Tony's death my husband renamed his business, he doesn't advertise but gets enough work to keep him going.  Since Tony's death that is all we have been able to cope with and sometimes that has been too much.
I have not worked since Tony's death, I fell in a heap.  I am just starting to sort myself out.  I have been going for part time jobs but only those that I am really interested in.  Before Tony's death we were both executives and work in Melbourne, our priorities have certainly changed, money and high flying is now a very low priority to us.   Our other son is a darling, he is gentle, caring beautiful young man.  I worry about him constantly. He is academically very bright and has a world full of dreams.  He is 190cm tall and thin as a sliver of grass.  I think he is handsome and has many girls wooing in his wake.  Really he is a lovely person and is not just my son but one of my best friends.  We have Tony's dog Earnee (Golden Retriever) and his black cat Killer, we are so lucky to have them, they are both very gentle and it amazes me that Tony who was so angry, confused and lost could have such gorgeous pets.  It shows what kind of person Tony really was.
We are simple people.  We rarely go out for dinner, never got to the movies but enjoy spending time with each other and a few choice friends.  We have a quiet life.  I constantly miss Tony and often get bogged down in the grief.  Some days I can't handle it, it is easier just to stay in bed.  We look at things very differently.  We are both more open about Tony and suicide.  If it weren't for Tony we would never have been travelling this path, he has given us so much.  



WISH LIST

PORTABLE PIN BOARDS,  STAMPS,  BULLDOG CLIPS (ALL SIZES),  COPY PAPER,  BLACK GARGAGE BAGS (WHEELIE BIN SIZE),  PAPER CLIPS (ALL SIZES),  ENVELOPES,  PLASTIC POCKETS,  A4 LAMINATING SHEETS,  POST-IT NOTES,  GOLF UMBRELLAS,  LARGE DRINK COOLER,   

NEW CO-ORDINATOR

The White Wreath Assoc wishes to welcome our new Sydney Co-ordinator:

Samantha Jorss

Email:  dommcg@ozemail.com.au

We look forward to working together in Action Against Suicide.  
Already Samantha has been spreading our aims and goals throughout Sydney NSW area with the help of Cheryl Gregory who will work with Samantha in establishing our branch in Sydney NSW.


WITH THE RELOCATION OF OUR BRISBANE OFFICE WE HAD NO ROOM TO STORE MANY OF THE WWA EQUIPMENT.  WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK INDEX SELF STORAGE UNITS FOR DONATING A UNIT TO US.  WE ARE EXTREMLEY GRATEFUL AND APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT IN RECOGNISING OUR WORK IN THIS MANNER



MEMORIALS

LEIGH CREEK

A Community awareness day was held at the Leigh /creek Area School on Wed 29th to acknowledge our support of WWD.  An information session has been held at the school 2 weeks prior to White Wreath Day, to discuss the effects of depression, suicidal thoughts, mental illness, and positive ways to help.  It was decided by the students, teachers and myself to set up a local resource folder.  This would be accessible to everyone in need of help, and offer a variety of resources within the immediate community and broader area of the state.
The students and local Health Service Staff were active in the making of 40 wreaths, which were laid under the flagpole at the school.  A short service was held as the students and local community member laid their wreaths and a prayer was held by our local Anglican Minister.  Following this day, the wreaths were transferred to an area in the local shopping centre to impact on as many people as possible and further promote the need for awareness.  The materials to make the wreaths were kindly donated by the local owners of Foodland and a collection tin was placed in our Visitors Information Centre.  The day was well attended and the Year 8 - 12 students were very mature in their response to this difficult subject.


GYMPIE

Cooloola White Wreath Ceremony seemed "closer" and very special.  The attendance has increased which is such a positive to see.  The White Wreaths for the officials, 32 white rose buds were laid out to represent those who took their lives this year (from 29th 2001 - 29th 2002) .  The 2 florists in town donated some white flowers and we had some from our gardens so as to have small poses for the people to lay if they so desired.  These poses which were beautiful were such a success that so many felt part of the ceremony.  When the poses were handed out, each person there was given a beautiful poem which Beryl had done on her computer, these were in scroll form and tied with a white ribbon.  One could tell each were pleased to be thought of.   Mrs Venardos the Mayoress a delightful, thoughtful lady (our community love her) gave a wonderful speech on the White Wreath Assoc and the special meaning of the 29th May.  Miss Roberts our Member for Parliament said hoe she too had lost a dear friend to suicide and felt this day and White Wreath Assoc should be proud of your work, aims and awareness the Community is feeling.  Both ladies were wonderful.   I fee very blessed to have them with us.  Both ladies said they would help in any way in the future.  My speech was given to the reporter and sections were taken out and printed with the photos.  We feel this year we had more media coverage.  We had wonderful feedback from the public, ambulance and Police representatives were also present this year.
The Network and White Wreath Assoc leaflets were there for people to take home.  I do feel the community is becoming more aware and some remembered the 29th May and asked were we having a service.  Cooloola Community take time to accept and come forth but if every year we reach more then they will begin to come and ask more question about White Wreath Assoc.  Cooloola Community does take time to but I also know how much they appreciate 29th May.
Miss Roberts spoke on how the confidentiality laws have to be reviewed and more money should be allocated towards mental ill services.  Her speech was very gut renching because she has been touched by suicide.