Rotary Club of Northlakes Toukley In Touch July 2014 | Page 8

Iris Foundation Suicide Prevention Centre Opens Denice Barnes - Central Coast Express Advocate When the Iris Foundation was officially launched in 2006, for founders Bev Baldwin and Dawn Hooper it was only ever the first stage. It is a Central Coast initiative formed to prevent suicide, particularly among young people. In 2003, Ms Baldwin's granddaughter, 21, committed suicide. She teamed up with Ms Hooper, who had also been impacted by suicide, and the pair have spent the past decade seeking funding and badgering whoever could help them fulfil a dream to open the coast's first early intervention centre for suicide prevention. On Friday the centre, in the grounds of Wyong Neighbourhood Centre, was officially opened by NSW Labor Senator Deb O'Neill and Gosford state Liberal MP Chris Holstein. "It's a dream come true," Ms Baldwin said. "I thought this day would never come." The Iris Foundation is administered by a volunteer board of directors which includes Ms Baldwin, Ms Hooper, Barry Abrahams, Bob Allen and Sue Liptrott. Senator Deb O’Neill Tributes were paid to others who have helped. They include the Northlakes Toukley Rotary Club whose members not only raised funds, but put in many hours painting and renovating the cottage where the centre is based. Ms O'Neill said the Iris Foundation was about giving hope while Mr Holstein recalled the first meeting with Ms Baldwin and MsHooper when he was Central Coast Community Chest chairman in 2004. "What do you say to two ladies who were attacking me with a brilliant idea?" he said. "I have never in my life met two people who would affect me so profoundly. "Behind my wife, my five children, my grandchildren, there's Bev and Dawn. "They are two ladies with a passion ... who wanted to make a difference to their community. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you." Gosford MP Chris Holstein Dawn Hooper and Bev Baldwin with Owen Fletcher and Gloria O’Dowd President Gloria Rotary Club of Northlakes Toukley 8