Lifeline WA’s newest patron WA Governor Kim Beazley attends gala dinner

Lifeline WA’s newest patron WA Governor Kim Beazley attends gala dinner

Lifeline WA’s newest patron WA Governor Kim Beazley attends gala dinner teaser

08 Apr 2018

Lifeline WA’s newest patron, the Honourable Kim Beazley AC Governor of Western Australia, will be among the 330 guests attending the organisation’s Black Diamond Gala Dinner on August 4.

Lifeline WA hopes its signature event will raise more than $100,000 to fund its vital 13 11 14 crisis support telephone service.

Governor Beazley said he chose to be a patron of Lifeline because mental health is an issue critical to community happiness and stability.

“Research shows that 85% of Australians know someone who has died by suicide, which illustrates
the personal and profound impact it is having on our community,” he said.

“The fact that Lifeline received calls from almost 45,000 West Australians over the last 12 months
shows that it is there for people in their hour of need.

“It is important the organisation gets the support it needs to continue its vital work.”

Lifeline WA’s Chief Executive Officer, Lorna MacGregor said the not-for-profit was thrilled to have
such a highly esteemed patron.

She said Governor Beazley’s attendance at the Gala Dinner would be an added drawcard to an
already stellar event and help to raise money to fund life-saving services.

“In WA, we have 175 trained telephone crisis volunteers, and we need to raise the money to train
more to enable us to answer more calls,” Ms MacGregor said.

“It costs $4,000 to train one call centre volunteer, with 170 hours of nationally accredited training,
supervised shifts and ongoing professional development,” she said.

The Gala Dinner, now in its ninth year, will give guests the opportunity to bid for incredible auction
items including a Subsea Explorer mini submarine ride at Rottnest Island, a stay at luxury villa 353
Degrees North in Bali and an accommodation, spa and dining package at COMO the Treasury.

Guests can also enter a raffle to win an exquisite 18ct white and rose gold chandelier-style pendant
featuring a pear shape 0.73ct checkerboard cut black diamond made exclusively for the event by
Rohan Jewellery.

Ms MacGregor said guests would be treated to a fantastic evening of fine wine, food and
entertainment as well as having the chance to bid in the auction and enter the raffle.

However, she said the Gala Dinner wasn’t just about raising money, but about raising awareness.
“Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 to 54, which means, on
average, eight Australians take their own lives every day,” she said.

“Lifeline knows that suicide is preventable if people get the right support, and part of that is having
someone to talk to.

For 24/7 crisis support or suicide prevention services, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifelinewa.org.au

“The Gala Dinner is an opportunity to start a dialogue about suicide, which we hope helps guests feel
empowered to start conversations at home, with friends and family or in their workplaces, and to help
break down the stigmas associated with talking about suicide.”

The dinner will be held from 6.30pm on Saturday, August 4 at Beaumonde on the Point, East Perth.

Lifeline’s 24/7 telephone crisis support service is available on 13 11 14.

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