ROWAN’S WALK IS CATCHING ON

Marion Cheedy interview’s Rowan’s mother Revena Maher.

GEOFF VIVIAN

In the Pilbara, the fifth annual Rowan’s Walk for mental health and suicide prevention took place early Saturday morning in Hedland.

Rowan Dann started the walk five years ago after losing a family member because he wanted to encourage those who needed it to reach out.

“It’s all about love,” he said. “Just share it around because the more that you give the more people give to you as well. There’s still people in that quiet place so always reach out and don’t sit there quietly. The more you sit there quietly the more you’re hurting yourself mentally without even realising it. Always open up.”

Pannawonica hosted a Rowan’s Walk for the first time this year.

Bunjima Inawongha woman and organiser Ida Injie said they decided to walk in the late afternoon.

“About 80 to 90 people came along with our walk and we’ve had about five to seven speakers last night which was really great,” she said.

At Northam, local Noongars held a walk with a southern flavour.

Ballardong woman and co ordinator of Gerty’s Walk Agnes Lockyer told Ngaarda Media that the event, named after a late family member, gave people a safe space to cry and share. 

“There was a lot of people there in the end,” she said. “A lot of family, a lot of outside community members who came to town, other Noongar people, and extended community members as well. We had Wadjela brothers and sisters walking with us and they was more than happy to come along to the walk,.”

Back at the Hedland event, organisers decided to host a basketball tournament after Rowan’s Walk.

Rowan’s mum Revena Dann told Ngaarda media a total of 12 men’s and eight women’s teams competed for the first time, including a team from Bidyadanga and two from Broome.

“The idea was we weren’t only honouring and remembering or empowering people who were suffering with mental health issues and suicidal ideation,” she said. “But we wanted to highlight the positives that physical activities have on your mental health. We wanted to see young and old come together and battle it out on the courts. To honour all those fallen ones lost to suicide.”