FAQs
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Formed in March 2021, GVSAG or the Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Group is a group of community members in the Goulburn Valley Region whose lives have been affected by suicide. The Association’s chairperson and founder, Jacky Gilbee, lost her son to suicide in 2018, and she needed to divert her grief in a positive direction, so GVSAG was born.
GVSAW or the Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Walk is a community event that is being organised by GVSAG (the Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Group) to shine a light on the startling figures around suicide in Australia. Fixing the problem starts with awareness that we have a problem in the first place. We need to work on destigmatising showing emotion, talking about mental health issues, and allowing all people a safe environment to ask for help.
In addition, we will take the time to pause and reflect on our loved ones that we have lost to suicide, and honour not only their lives, but their memory and the legacies they have left for us to carry on.
Yes, you do. Due to multiple reasons, registration is required for each individual wanting to participate in GVSAW. Those reasons are primarily for insurance and safety purposes.
GVSAW23 is scheduled for Sunday 10 September.
We will start the event from 8:30am, Sunday 10 September 2022. The event will conclude around noon.
GVSAW23 will start at the Yea Railway Station: 12 Station Street, Yea 3717.
The route we are following for the Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Walk 2023 is about 6km long. The trail is an all-gravel path, relatively flat, and will take the average adult approximately 1.5 hours to complete.
Yes, you may bring your dog or other pet to the Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Walk. However, please respect that we may have participants that are fearful of animals, and we aim to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In addition, our event may be very busy, and possibly loud, so please take extra care with anxious or skittish pets, or consider leaving them at home. Our fur-, feather-, and scaly-babies are family, and we do not want them under stress either. Please ensure that all pets are ALWAYS on a lead, and 100% controlled.
Yes! This year, if you would like to register a group, simply “purchase” the appropriate tickets for your group, and ensure you have the contact details for each participant. Please follow the instructions and ensure you are providing all details for all registrations, including those under the age of 16.
Yes! We will have various merchandise items that can be purchased on the day, or in advance, just contact us through our contact form.
In addition, a pebble will be gifted to each participant to write the name(s) of the person(s) they are walking for. This pebble may be dropped along the trail, at the bridge, or simply taken home.
Please contact us on our website here, email us on hello@gvsag.org.au, or in the message box in the registration form to let us know if you can volunteer or help in any way.
Counselling services will be available on the day if you feel you need support.
Car parking, picnic and toilet facilities will be available at the Yea Railway Station
First aid and transportation along the trail will be available on the day. When registering please indicate any mobility and additional support you need in advance for planning purposes.
You can read our full terms and conditions at https://gvsag.org.au/terms/
You can see the photos taken in our photo galleries here: https://gvsag.org.au/gvsaw21-photo-gallery/ and here: https://gvsag.org.au/gvsaw22-photo-gallery/