How the Riverina town of Goolgowi fought back from the darkness of a double suicide

Mental health care in the Riverina town of Goolgowi was non existent, but after a young man and then his mother suicided the locals rallied to get help for the vulnerable.

The tragic suicide of a young man followed by that of his mother in 2020 left the tiny town of Goolgowi shell-shocked, but the community has successfully fought to finally bring mental health resources to their district.

Local horticulturist Marie Clarke, who also lost her uncle to suicide, is the driving force behind the new counselling service for Goolgowi in the Riverina district, which has a suicide rate double that of Sydney.

“Counselling starts next week,” Ms Clarke said.

Billy Hale’s suicide on March 28, 2020 was out of the blue. At 21, he was fit, handsome, healthy and a great footballer.

He had just finished his plumbing apprenticeship, had a beautiful girlfriend, tonnes of friends and he was “the life of the party” according to his proud dad Geoff.

Geoff Hale and his son Billy Hale and wife Donna at a family event. Billy took his own life in March 2020 followed by Donna in July 2020.

There was no indication anything was wrong.

He left no hints, no note, nothing.

Locals who helped bring mental health services to Goolgowie. Jackie Beasley, Helen Dalton (NSW MP for Murray), Marie Clarke, Margaret Beasley, Sharon Barzan, Michelle Cheer.

“There was not a thing with Billy, everyone thought he led a perfect life, young boys idolised him, wanted to be him,” Mr Hale said.

“There was no sense to it and that destroyed Donna, as well of having to identify him, that killed us both.”

Billy’s mother Donna took her own life four months later.

The family had been receiving counselling but it was a 100km round trip to the nearest town in Griffith. She left behind a heartbroken husband, two remaining daughters and a shell-shocked community.

Geoff and Donna Hale were high school sweethearts. Donna took her own life four months after her 21-year-old son Billy died by suicide.

“It devastated the community, two people from the one family so close together and so well known, and it just gutted us,” Ms Clare said.

“There are people who haven’t recovered from that, but I think it has brought people together, the community and everyone thought we have to do what we can to support each other and try and stop this happening,” she said.

A town meeting was set up and an action plan put in place.

“We decided the town needed counselling so I set about approaching council and we got a grant and got the old council chambers renovated that as a community centre and counselling rooms and then I just set about ringing, emailing, talking to all different counsellors around the Griffith area to see if any would do outreach services to Goolgowi and got a few on board.

Geoff Hale and his daughters Amber, right, and Emily. Geoff's son Billy Hale and wife Donna passed away due to suicide leaving him with the girls.

The Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service will now offer a counsellor through an outreach program that will visit once a fortnight.

Independent MP for Murray Helen Dalton said many people faced a six month wait and a long drive to get help.

“It’s clear there just isn’t enough mental health support in our small towns, residents often feel they have nowhere to go,” Ms Dalton said.

“Goolgowi have said enough is enough, and have decided to do something about it,” Ms Dalton said.

“In the last five years I’ve lost about seven people close to me to suicide and I just want to stop it,” Ms Clarke said.

Mr Hale said the service, a legacy to his wife and son, was welcome.

“It is a great thing for the community,” he said.

Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 Beyond Blue 1300 224 636