Lifeline acknowledges 60 years of supporting Australians through every challenge

News item written and provided by Richard Shute, National Manager of Media Relations, Government and Stakeholder Relations, Lifeline Australia

Lifeline, the country’s leading crisis support and suicide prevention organisation, celebrated its 60^th birthday this March.

Reflecting back to 16 March 1963, Lifeline was founded after Rev Dr Sir Alan Walker OBE had taken a call from a distressed man who later took his own life. Determined to ensure that support was always available for people in distress, Sir Alan launched what was later to become the organisation’s 24/7 telephone crisis line, 13 11 14 or as we know it, Lifeline.

Lifeline’s crisis support phone line was the first of its kind in Australia. With roots in the Central Methodist Church and Wesley Mission, Lifeline took 100 calls on that first day, and the phone hasn't stopped ringing since, quickly expanding around Australia. The organisation has taken over 23 million calls to date.

Lifeline Chair, Jacinta Munro said the organisation was incredibly proud to be celebrating such a momentous birthday.

“Lifeline is supporting more Australians than ever before – we’ve never been needed more, and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the incredible support of our Members, funders, volunteers and staff all around the country,” said Ms Munro.

Lifeline Australia CEO, Colin Seery highlighted the new and emerging challenges faced by the organisation and the need to remain agile and dynamic to face them front on.

“Over the course of the last 60 years, Lifeline has reshaped and evolved during difficult times to remain at the forefront of crisis support and suicide prevention in Australia to this day,” said Mr Seery.

“Especially in the last few years, Lifeline has played a critical role through distressing events and continues to be central in disaster response and recovery at community level and beyond.”

To mark the milestone, Lifeline will be hosting events celebrating the people who have made and continue to make significant contributions to the lives of so many throughout its birthday year.