Petition launched to stop young woman's memorial from removal

A grieving mother is battling Toowoomba council to save her daughter's vibrant memorial, after officials threatened to remove it from public land.

Warning: This story discusses mental health and suicide, reader discretion is advised.

Iridescent wind chimes move through the breeze while water trickles nearby – flowers are laid beneath an oak tree as loved ones gather in the memory of Janelle Rizzalli.

While friends and family hope the memorial can be a positive place to raise awareness for suicide, Toowoomba Regional Council has warned Ms Rizzalli’s mother that if she doesn’t remove all the items, they will.

Decorated in fairy lights, handcrafted gifts and flowers, the tree in East Creek Park reflects the impact Ms Rizzalli had on her loved ones.

Despite her struggles with mental health, which at times led to unfavourable actions, Ms Rizzalli’s friends and family hope her memorial can become a place of positivity and raise awareness for young lives lost to suicide.

The tribute to Janelle Rizzalli along East Creek, following her sudden death.

Kelly Haupt, a close friend of Ms Rizzalli’s, is one of many who frequently visits the memorial.

“I’m glad that it’s here because it’s something positive I want to remember her by, not something negative like why she left us,” he said.

“She tried doing everything for everyone, but we didn’t always have the answers for her and I think that’s the worst part.

“I want to remember her for the person she was not the lost soul she was.”

Kelly Haupt and Linesa Collins at the memorial for Janelle Rizzalli.

Mr Haupt said he wants the memorial to help raise awareness around suicide prevention.

“I know too many young people who have died by suicide and there’s nothing like this for them, I think something positive can come from (the memorial),” he said.

The memorial recently caught the attention of Toowoomba Regional Council, who warned her mother Linesa Collins in a letter they would remove all items from the tree if she didn’t do so herself.

After receiving the letter, Ms Collins went to council to make an application to keep the memorial in place, however was told she could only apply for a plaque to be installed at the tree.

“I showed them what was already on there but they told me there was no application for it, that I could apply to have a plaque there,” she said.

“A plaque won’t represent who Janelle was.”

Ms Collins is now in a battle with council to keep the memorial in place, having started an online petition which has gathered more than 200 signatures.

A sign addressed to council at the memorial for Janelle Rizzalli.

Since making the application for a plaque in early November, Ms Collins says she’s had no communication from council.

In a statement to The Chronicle, councillor Tim McMahon who holds the parks and recreation services portfolio said council’s memorial and plaques policy provides a compassionate and consistent approach to the placement on public land.

“To open dialogue with the family associated with the memorial, council placed a notice near the memorial asking the family to make contact with council,” he said.

“As part of this dialogue, the family has made a formal application for a memorial under TRC’s Memorial and Plaques Policy which Council is currently considering.”

Mr McMahon said the application process requires two stages for installations within an open space, with the first stage taking up to 20 business days.

“The family has been advised the memorial will not be removed until the assessment is complete,” he said.

“Council will continue to work closely with the family connected to this memorial to ensure the process is handled with compassion and respect.”