by ANNE WILKINSON
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COPING with a family loss is always difficult. And when the loss involves children, it can seem impossible.
Losing two beautiful, talented daughters, Rachel Lee who was 38 weeks pregnant, and Tania Louise, who had been married for just 18 months, left Margaret and Gid Fontana devastated and determined to do something very special to honour their beloved children.
“Our family lost so much. First Rachel in a terrible three-vehicle accident, then Tania – who had been such a wonderful rock for everyone when we lost Rachel and our unborn grandson – to suicide,” Margaret said.
“It was heartbreaking, and we had been worried about Tania who was always very sensitive. “She was living in Canberra, so far away, and her husband who was in the army was in Afghanistan.
She had become subject to panic attacks.”
After much deliberation, they decided to create a memorial walkway on their farm in the hinterland behind the small centre of Silkwood in far north Queensland.
They called the farm Nature’s D-lites after the rare tropical fruit they grow on it.
The setting is idyllic. Margaret’s garden is a haven of colour and quiet. The backdrop of jungle-covered mountains sets off the massed tropical growth to perfection.
The memorial walkway, or as locals affectionately refer to it, “the path”, winds along the bank of a deep-sided, meandering creek on which Margaret has planted literally hundreds of trees and shrubs, mostly natives.
In the area’s high rainfall, they are flourishing and Margaret is constantly extending their number.
Raised along the edge of the path are blue plaques, lovingly hand-crafted by Gid, who is a fine wood craftsman.
The first two plaques commemorate Rachael Lee and Tania Louise.
The third is for their grandchild, the tiny baby who would have been called Erely.
The rest bear the names of other loved, lost children, because once word of the walk’s purpose spread, other grieving parents and relatives wanted to remember their lost children in this beautiful setting.
Parents have contributed trees and soothing wind chimes. Some plaques bear hints – a car crash and a warning, illness, suicide.
“None of us want our children to be forgotten,” Margaret said, admitting that for her the construction of the walk and the work involved in looking after the trees is a kind of therapy.
“Some people might think this is strange, but we all try to cope in our own way.”
And as great ideas have a habit of doing, this one has grown.
Four years ago Margaret decided to raise money for Lifeline’s suicide prevention program and held the first of what would become an annual high tea at the farm.
Every cent earned went to Lifeline.
Word spread. Now in its fourth year, the event has grown to become a local tradition.
This year it will be celebrated on September 5, from 9am.
The $10 entry fee and all money earned from food and plant sales will go to Lifeline.
The farm, eight kilometres from the Bruce Highway at Silkwood, is well signposted.
Email Margaret and Gid, mgfontana81@gmail.com
Are You OK?
World Suicide Prevention Day is marked on September 10, which is also RUOK? Day in Australia – www.ruok.org.au
If you need help contact Lifeline Australia 131-114 www.lifeline.org.au
Or Beyond Blue
