How a tragic phone call led to the launch of Lifeline.

The Reverend Sir Alan Walker was used to receiving desperate phone calls. But few were as tragic as the one that reached his home at midnight one Saturday in the early 1960's.

The caller was a quiet man named Roy Brown, who spoke of his devastating loneliness, crippling debt and sense of failure. Then came the words that chilled Alan Walker's heart.

"I've just written you a letter, which you will receive on Monday morning," Ray said softly. "By that time I will be dead. I'm sorry to worry you, but there really is no-one who cares what happens to me, and I would like to explain to someone."

Frantically seeking the right words, Reverend Walker tried to change Roy's mind. He did succeed in arranging a meeting with him the following Tuesday. But just five minutes before the agreed meeting time, Reverend Walker's phone rang. It was the Police. "We've found the body of a man named Roy Brown in a gas filled room in Kings Cross," the policeman reported. "On his chest was a letter addressed to you." Roy Brown's death became the catalyst for turning Reverend Walker's dream into action. He developed the idea of a centre accessible by phone 24 hours a day, where trained counsellors would offer understanding, acceptance and help.

Events moved quickly. On March 16th, 1963, the first Lifeline centre, situated in the centre of Sydney, was officially opened and the service began.

SNAPSHOT

Janice, a volunteer telephone counsellor with Lifeline Western Sydney since 1993, has listened to many people in crisis.

"So many people feel isolated and lonely" she says. "Some feel so much pain that they have thoughts of suicide. Others are experiencing the loss of a loved one and are not sure of how they'll cope. Some people just need to talk to another human being who cares."

"Although telephone counselling can sometimes be challenging, I get so much out of volunteering my time" she says. "I go home after each shift knowing that I have made a difference in the lives of many people. That feels good."

Janice, a mother of 6 who works part-time, said her volunteer work allowed her to give back to her community and at the same time maintain good interpersonal communication skills.