Marathon effort against suicide

• Ruby Hall ready to step out on her Marathon for suicide prevention. 

By Tony Scott,
September 01, 2021

The campaign to prevent suicide will be the focus of a local girl’s marathon walk around the Scottsdale recreation ground on Saturday September 4.

Fourteen-year old Ruby Hall expects to complete the 42-kilometre marathon distance in about nine hours.

The walk is part of her year eight course at Scotch Oakburn College.

Called Explore Year Eight, students were required to come up with a community project involving an element of leadership.

It took her a little while to decide on the nature of her project, which cuts very close to home.

“It’s about my Pop, basically.

“A few people, well a lot of people knew my Pop,” Ruby corrected herself, about Kenny Hall, businessman, sportsman, horse owner and general life of the party.

The family has not glossed over that he took his own life in late 2017 and Ruby says relatives have been supportive of her decision to take on the marathon as a way of raising awareness of suicide prevention.

She expects more than a football team of close relatives to join her in completing a lap or two of the rec.

“We’ve got 25 special tops for family members to wear as a uniform.”

Ruby is also encouraging other community members to join in her walk at any time and for as long as they like after she sets out at 8am.

There will be a short presentation by Mayor Greg Howard, Ruby’s project mentor Tess Moore, her Nan Karen Hall and Ruby herself from about 11am.

There’s to be food and refreshments provided by the Rotary club’s food van and the Dorset Suicide Prevention Network will be on hand with leaflets and other information for those interested.

Ruby will finish her project with a report back to class members in a few weeks.

In separate events the Dorset Suicide Prevent Network is hosting an RUOK Day event at Gladstone on Wednesday September 8. 

In conjunction with the Future Links group and Dorset Community House’s Out and About program will run from 2pm till 4:30pm in the Gladstone Hall.

The next day, Thursday September 9 there’s to be a workshop titled What do I say, What do I do? On understanding suicide bereavement and extending support to people affected.

People interested in attending should reply by Friday September 3 to gayle.carroll@lifelinetasmania.org.au or phone 0429 366 386.