THE memory of the late Eve Barratt continues to burn brightly with the prominent community leader and humanitarian being honoured in today’s Australia Day honours list.
Ms Barratt – who died earlier this month after an eight-month battle with cancer – has been awarded a prestigious Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her contribution to social welfare organisations.
Remembered as an inspirational, caring and strategic community leader, Ms Barratt was at the forefront of spearheading suicide prevention programs and tackling problem gambling in the regional community.
From organising grassroots suicide prevention initiatives to sitting on high-level government committees, the former Lifeline South East chief executive has left an enduring legacy across the community.
A champion of the community and holding a deep compassion for humanity, the community stalwart’s work touched countless lives.
Ms Barratt’s devotion to her work saved many lives across the Limestone Coast and her legacy continues to foster hope and wellbeing.
Former Lifeline South East board long service chair Allan Gray – who worked closely with Ms Barratt for many years – described her as a “remarkable woman”.
“Her commitment to suicide prevention was absolute – the `Out the Shadows’ event was entirely her own initiative,” Mr Gray said.
“Eve not only saved lives through her initiatives, but they gave a heck of a lot of support to people who were bereaved by suicide. She set up a group to support these people.”
Ms Barratt also instigated a “contemplation area” at Vansittart Park.
“She worked with Mount Gambier City Council to set that up. This is a place where those who have been bereaved can go,” Mr Gray revealed.
He said one of her biggest achievements was her work with regional councils in establishing suicide prevention strategies, which had not been done before.
While Lifeline always had an ethos around suicide prevention, he said it was not until the appointment of Ms Barratt that were was significant progress.
“To her credit, she built the Lifeline South East up in this region.”
He said Ms Barratt’s work was recognised on state and national level by Lifeline and governments.
“She was on a number of state committees, particularly regarding gambling addition help and suicide prevention,” he said.
Mr Gray said Ms Barratt came from a working class family in Ireland, which instilled an empathy for people less fortunate.
Ms Barratt also had input into programs established by Lifeline Australia.
“She a person who was very dedicated to her work and set the bar very high,” Mr Gray said.
South Australian parliamentarian John Dawkins – who is the premier’s advocate for suicide prevention- also paid tribute to Ms Barratt.
“I had the greatest regard for Eve and her work with Lifeline,” Mr Dawkins said.
“Eve was also a greater leader in suicide prevention, particularly he dedication and work in the early days and establishment of the Mount Gambier and Districts Suicide Prevention Network.”
He said the prevention network was the first group of its kind to be established under the South Australian Suicide Prevention Plan.
“Eve’s passion and work in this area will be fondly remembered by me and her legacy will live on through her work of the network and the lives she touched along the way,” Mr Dawkins said.
Ms Barratt developed Australia’s first “Listeners” program at the Mount Gambier Prison, which attracted widespread recognition for reducing the number of suicides at the correctional facility.
This involved working to break down the barriers at the prison and train inmates to listen and support their peers who may susceptible to suicide.
