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WA politician presents message stick to highlight suicide rates

West Australian Labor politician Josie Farrer this week tabled a petition on behalf of Kimberley community members in response to suicide rates.

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Along with her petition, for the first time in WA history, Ms Farrer also delivered a message stick she received from community members in Beagle Bay.

The stick tells the story of nine families who performed a ceremony on  September 14 to hand the Baton of Life to Ms Farrer.

"There was a circle that represented a circle of love and the baton was handed from one family member and held there with all the love and care and the thoughts that they gave into that baton," she said.

"The eldest member of the community who lost his family members then took the baton and cried on it."

"You could feel the power… and I cried and said I will take this with message you people want me to deliver."

But the tabling was not without its difficulties.

According to the transcript, there was also some concerns over the acceptability of the message stick as a document tabled to Parliament.

For more, watch the full report in the video player above.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.


2 min read

Published

Updated

By Craig Quartermaine

Source: NITV News


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