This is not goodbye, say Albury-Wodonga Winter Solstice co-founders Annette and Stuart Baker, who have announced this year’s 21 June gathering at Albury’s QEII Square will be the last. Photo: Nat Ord.
A beloved Albury event that has blazed a trail of hope and healing for survivors of suicide and mental illness will hold its final gathering this month after an extraordinary 13-year history.
Albury-Wodonga Winter Solstice co-founders Annette and Stuart Baker have announced that 2025 will mark the last time the community will gather at Albury’s QEII Square on 21 June to shine a light on the pain, grief and often-untold stories of suicide and mental ill-health.
The annual event, held as the longest (and often coldest) night of the year rolls in, features mental health experts and prominent Australians sharing their own profound and personal stories, set against the backdrop of crackling fires, music, dance and poetry.
It began as a deeply personal act of remembrance for Mr and Mrs Baker, who lost their 15-year-old daughter Mary to suicide in 2011 and struggled to find a community or support group with shared experiences of a loved one dying by suicide.
What they felt, keenly, is that the loneliness of suicide loss is isolating – but it doesn’t have to be.
More than 1000 people gathered on that first cold, clear night, warmed by fire pits and stories from those most familiar with the unimaginable.
Nourished and comforted by the words of Archie Roach singing We Won’t Cry and the expertise of former Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry, the annual Albury-Wodonga Winter Solstice was born.
The Bakers said that during its 13-year history, the event had grown into something much larger than they ever could have imagined.
This “beautifully powerful community moment” has now reached countless hearts across the border and beyond to capture international audiences via its livestreamed services.
“Together, we’ve broken the silence, and listened,” Mrs Baker said.
“We’ve held space for grief. We’ve made meaning from loss. And we’ve reminded thousands of people that they are not alone … ever.”
Mr and Mrs Baker said the decision to bring this chapter to a close had come after much soul-searching and consultation.
“Making the Winter Solstice a reality each year in its current format – a free community event with incredible speakers and talent – has been a privilege.
“It has also required a great deal of hard work and ongoing effort from our partners, board and volunteers.”
These passionate mental health activists have vowed this is not the end of their work – or the Winter Solstice.
“The Solstice has always been about more than one night in June,” Mr Baker said.
“The conversations we’ve sparked, the lives we’ve touched, and the community we’ve built have shown us what’s possible. Now it’s time to take this vision further.”
The community is invited to come together one last time for the 21 June event, which will feature Olympic gold medal swimming champion Leisel Jones, renowned Australian cricket journalist Gideon Haigh, social change researcher and GetUp.org.au founder Amanda Tattersall, and a host of talented performers, poets and dancers on stage.
Mr and Mrs Baker thanked all those supporters who have followed the Winter Solstice journey throughout the years.
“Many of our followers have been with us from the very beginning, and it means the world to have had your ongoing support for the last 12 years,” Mrs Baker said.
“To every person who has stood with us in the cold here at QEII Albury, lit a candle, shared a story, listened, or simply held the hand of someone hurting, thank you.”
The Albury-Wodonga Winter Solstice will be held on 21 June from 5 pm at QEII Square, Albury, with the Facebook livestream starting at 6 pm. For more information or event details, go to Survivors of Suicide & Friends/Winter Solstice on Facebook.
If you need help, or someone you know does, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
