Lifeline’s Madeline Parish recognised with OAM for 20 years of work

A tragedy more than 20 years ago put Madeline Parish on a path toward helping countless others. Now she’s getting the recognition she deserves.

Madeline Parish was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for more than 20 years of service to Lifeline. The respected volunteer spent 18 years "on the phones" as a crisis support worker. Photo: Tim Jarrett

Madeline Parish’s journey with Lifeline may have been forged in tragic circumstances, but the connection has had a lasting impact on all parties.

Ms Parish has been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal for more than 20 years volunteering in almost every role imaginable at Lifeline in Coffs Harbour.

Lifeline receives over a million calls and messages from people each year from people needing care and support.

“Lifeline is my passion,” Ms Parish said.

“I was over the moon. I actually shed a tear because the only reason I became so involved with Lifeline was because of Brad. Lifeline helped us through some difficult times.”

Brad was Ms Parish’s son who tragically committed suicide in 1995. She said some years later a friend asked her if she might consider joining Lifeline, an organisation whose mission is suicide prevention and crisis support.

Madeline Parish has been volunteering at Lifeline for more than 20 years and encourages others to follow in her footsteps and become a telephone crisis supporter Photo: Tim Jarrett

It wasn’t long before Ms Parish “went on the phones”, becoming a telephone crisis supporter and fielding calls from around Australia for the next 18 years. While the role is primarily to listen, she acknowledged her personal experience enabled her understand what people were going through.

“You are there to support them and my motivation was (to) be there in that time, to give some hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.

“If we can do everything we can to prevent someone taking their life we should do it, that's why was on the phones and that is why I am still involved.”

Somehow, Ms Parish found time to help out around the Lifeline office and in 2010 became the administration manager. Lyn Anderson, who joined Lifeline at the same time and who trained with Madeline, said she had been an integral part of the organisation.

Madeline Parish (left) joined Lifeline at the same time as fellow volunteer Lyn Anderson. They did their training together. Photo: Tim Jarrett

“She has always been a really important volunteer in the office,” Ms Anderson said.

“It’s really nice to see someone being rewarded for so much dedication.”

Ms Parish was shocked when she learned of the OAM and was quick to emphasise she was “one of thousands” who give their time to help save lives.

While retirement has meant she has taken a bit of a step back, Ms Parish now serves on the board of Lifeline North Coast and says she will be working with the organisation for the rest of her life.

“(Lifeline) is absolutely essential,” she said.

“Our mission is saving lives and that’s why so many volunteers work on the phones, answering calls out of their own time.”

Both Ms Parish and Ms Anderson are keen to encourage others to join them “on the phones” and Lifeline North Coast in are looking for people who are interested in becoming volunteer telephone Crisis Supporters.

To become a volunteer telephone Crisis Supporter, you must complete Lifeline’s Crisis Support Workplace Training and an information session is being held in July. For more information visit eventbrite.com.au.