Mr MATT KEAN (Hornsby) [5.59 p.m.]: It has now been almost two years since I stood in this Chamber and delivered my inaugural speech. On that occasion I talked about an issue close to my heart: the death of a friend through the tragedy of suicide. Unfortunately, my story is not unique; so many Australians will be touched by suicide at some stage during their lives. Suicide is the greatest mental health challenge facing all Australians. Today I was delighted to see the Premier, with my good friend and mentor John Brogden in the gallery, celebrate 50 years of Lifeline, a service that has provided support for those most in need—the most vulnerable in our community.
Lifeline was founded in 1963 by the late Reverend Dr Sir Alan Walker when he took a call from a distressed man, who later took his own life.
Determined not to let isolation and lack of support be the cause of more deaths, Sir Alan launched a 24-hour crisis support line. The 131114 service now answers more than 1,200 calls a day with around 50 calls from people at high risk from suicide. Lifeline services are now made possible through the efforts of around 1,000 staff and 11,000 volunteers operating from more than 60 locations throughout the country. Services and resources are provided via telephone, face to face and online mediums. It is important that the House reflects on the fact that suicide is the leading cause of death in Australia for males under 44 years and females under 34 years. Indeed, each year more people die from suicide than die on our roads. That is a national disgrace because it is entirely preventable. Through the work of organisations such as Lifeline, we can prevent this terrible tragedy and reduce its impact on our community.
Today as we celebrate 50 years of this vitally important service I pay tribute to those countless men and women who volunteer their time to provide us with this essential service. I particularly acknowledge the efforts of volunteers and staff in the Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury centre, which provides support and counselling services to my community in Hornsby and communities from North Sydney up to Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River. These volunteers do not just give up their time to be phone counsellors; they do various activities, including raising funds. I acknowledge my friends David and Patricia Barnett, who have organised the Hornsby Book Fair for many years to raise much-needed funds for this vital community organisation. They make a tremendous difference to many people's lives.
I particularly acknowledge and honour the tireless work of the Chief Executive Officer of Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury, Wendy Carver. Today in question time the Premier acknowledged her as the Ku-ring-gai Woman of the Year. Ms Carver deserves special credit for her leadership and tireless dedication to providing a central support service for those in need and for making a difference in the lives of very vulnerable people across our community. She has done this for many years and has made a tremendous difference to the lives of others. She is one of the genuine heroes of this State—indeed, of this country. Lifeline has helped countless Australians in crisis. Mental health crises can be reduced simply by recognising the problem and encouraging people to get help.
We all have a role to play in reducing the impact of mental illness in the community and in reducing the impact of suicide. We can do this easily by having a conversation about mental health with our friends and neighbours. I hope we can reach the stage where we can talk about suicide and mental health issues with the same candour as we talk about physical health issues—for example, in the same way I might talk about the knee reconstruction I had a few years ago. Someone who has led the charge in being an advocate for the destigmatisation of mental health is Lifeline's patron John Brogden, whom I consider a hero to all of us who care about mental illness and in reducing its impact in our society. I thank him for his continuing tireless work. He is an inspiration to us all.
