Don Ritchie

OAM
Born
Donald Taylor Ritchie

(1926-06-09)9 June 1926
Vaucluse, New South Wales, Australia
Died13 May 2012(2012-05-13) (aged 85)
Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
EducationScots College
Occupation(s)Costing clerk, salesman
Military career
Branch Royal Australian Navy
Service years1944–1946
RankAble seaman

Donald Taylor Ritchie OAM (9 June 1926 – 13 May 2012) was an Australian who intervened in many suicide attempts. He officially rescued at least 180 people who had intended to attempt suicide at The Gap.

Early life

Ritchie went to Vaucluse Public School and attended Scots College.[1] He enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy on 30 June 1944 as a seaman aboard HMAS Hobart and witnessed the unconditional surrender of the Japanese Imperial Forces in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945, officially ending World War II in the Pacific.[2][3]

After the war, he was a life insurance salesman.[4]

Intervention

Officially, he rescued 180 people from suicide as of 2009 over a 45-year period, although his family claims the number is closer to 500. Ritchie resided next to The Gap, a location in Sydney, Australia, known for multiple suicide attempts.

Upon seeing someone on the cliff in distress, Ritchie would cross the road from his property and engage them in conversation, often beginning with the words, "Can I help you in some way?" Afterwards Ritchie would invite them back to his home for a cup of tea and a chat. Some of the people he helped would return years later to thank him for his efforts in talking them out of their decision.[5]

Ritchie explained his intervention in suicide attempts saying, "You can't just sit there and watch them."[4]

Awards

In 2006, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his rescues,[6] the official citation being for "service to the community through programs to prevent suicide".[7] Ritchie and his wife Moya were also named "Citizens of the Year" for 2010 by Woollahra Council, the local government authority responsible for the Gap.[8] He received Local Hero Award for Australia in 2011, the National Australia Day Council saying: "His kind words and invitations into his home in times of trouble have made an enormous difference... With such simple actions, Don has saved an extraordinary number of lives."[9]

Death

Ritchie died on 13 May 2012, at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife Moya and their three daughters.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Donald Taylor RITCHIE | Australian Police".
  2. ^ "NAA: A6770, RITCHIE D T".
  3. ^ "RITCHIE, DONALD TAYLOR". Nominal Rolls. DVA.
  4. ^ a b Gelinau, Kristen (13 June 2010). "Australian 'angel' saves lives at suicide spot". msnbc. Archived from the original on 17 June 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  5. ^ "Australia mourns 'Angel of the Gap' Don Ritchie, the man who talked". The Independent. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  6. ^ Benson, Kate (1 August 2009). "An angel walking among us at The Gap". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  7. ^ "Australian Honours". Government of Australia. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  8. ^ "Suicide watchman saves scores at death spot". The Independent. 13 June 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  9. ^ "Confront suicidal people, Local Hero says". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  10. ^ Walker, Chris (14 May 2012). ""Angel of the Gap" Don Ritchie dies, aged 85". Wentworth Courier. News Community Media. Retrieved 14 May 2012.


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