News

Road safety ambassador Kerry Norton was interviewed by Yahoo News about her road trauma story. Kerry makes sure her family members never drive while they’re tired, and she shares her story to encourage others to be responsible while behind the wheel.

“If you’re getting behind the wheel, or if you know someone who you’re sitting beside is fatigued, offer, ‘Can I drive for you?’, or vice versa, ask, ‘Should I be driving?” Ms Norton says.

“Especially to drink drivers. If your friend has drunk too much, it’s your responsibility to let them know not to get behind the wheel.”

Her message is to remind people all it takes is a split second.

“You can kill someone and go to jail, or you can lose a family member, or two like I did, my husband and my daughter, in a split second.”

A big thank you to Kerry, for sharing your story.

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Melinda Dine, Road Safety Ambassador, recently shared her road trauma story with The Age. Melinda shares her story at our education programs, to create change on our roads.

“A real way to make some sense and good out of something that is really tragic.”

At the start of some education sessions, the offenders come in “full of bravado” and are “just there to tick a box”.

“But I guarantee you there is a monumental shift after they hear our stories. You can almost see it, it’s like a physical realisation.”

A big thank you to Melinda for sharing her story.

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Losing a child changes a person in fundamental ways. “Your hopes and dreams are gone.” Jeanette Suhr OAM, who has been part of our organisation right from the very beginning, was recently interviewed by RACV magazine royalauto about her road trauma story, continue reading.

The pain of losing her beautiful 19-year-old daughter Tanya in 1991 never leaves Jeanette.

If you or someone you know has experienced road trauma and may need support call 1300 367 797 and book an appointment with one our counsellors.

Thank you to all our followers for your support in 2019. We wish you all a safe and peaceful holiday season.

We will be closed from 12 pm Tuesday 24 December 2019 and reopen at 9 am Thursday 2 January 2020. For crisis support during this time, please contact:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
GriefLine 1300 845 745

Alternatively, leave a message on 1300 367 797 or email office.manager@rtssv.org.au.

On Sunday 17 November 2019, we held our 19th annual Time for Remembering ceremony at Parliament House, which is the United Nation’s World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. This day is dedicated to remembering the many millions killed and injured in road crashes, their families and friends and the many others whose lives are affected. It is also designed to give thanks to emergency services and all who work tirelessly to reduce road trauma.

This annual event is held to remember those who have died, those who continue to suffer, and the impact of road trauma on our community.

We are very grateful to RTSSV’s Art Therapy Group, members of which worked throughout the year to create ‘Clay Tokens of Remembrance’, individual artworks that were exhibited at the ceremony — dedicated to our loved ones and to all people who have been killed or injured on our roads.

We warmly thank the Reverend Andy Calder for leading the ceremony, The Hon. Jaala Pulford for delivering a message from the state government, and Jeanette Suhr OAM, for sharing her story

Thank you to all who contributed to this special event, including Joe Califiore, TAC; Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane, Victoria Police; Michael Johnson, Harpist; Barbara Joyce and the Art Therapy Group and the members of the Organised Water Choir.

We are grateful to the TAC and Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania for their ongoing support of Time for Remembering.

When a child experiences trauma, their age and level of maturity can influence how they react. Some children find it hard to understand their feelings and struggle to verbalise them. Despite the difference in their ability to describe what they are experiencing, children can be affected by the same range of reactions an adult experiences following a traumatic event.

A child’s age impacts on the way they express their distress and what they may need to recover. There are some signs to look out for in children who may be having difficulties but do not necessarily lead to long-term problems. Most are normal and will resolve in time with the help of caring family members and friends.

Paul has been a volunteer with Road Trauma Support Services Victoria (RTSSV) since 2008.  Paul speaks at our Road Trauma Awareness Seminar (RTAS) about his experiences as a member of the Melbourne Fire Brigade (MFB).

RTAS facilitators who have worked with Paul describe him as dependable and sincere, and someone who always displays a positive attitude towards the participants. RTAS facilitator, Peter Carolan said that since the early days, Paul has demonstrated a willingness to attend RTAS even after a busy and full-day at work or when on leave.

Paul has also been a critical player in increasing community awareness about the ‘ripple effect’ of road trauma, something he reinforces in the seminars and mentioned by RTAS participants in their feedback after the seminars. We welcome Paul as a life member and sincerely thank him for everything he has done for us.

In 2009, when Jan retired, and she decided to become a volunteer with Road Trauma Support Services Victoria (RTSSV). Due to her background in administration, Jan felt she could be most useful helping in the office. For the last ten years, Jan has been coming into the office every Friday afternoon to input the data from the Road Trauma Awareness Seminar (RTAS) program evaluations.

Jan has very much become part of the RTSSV family, and although the work she does for us does not put her in the public eye, it is extremely important to us as it shows the impact that RTAS has on the program’s participants and is, therefore, the information we use regularly. Although Jan is a quiet achiever, her presence in the office never goes unnoticed.

We warmly welcome Jan as a life member, and we would like to officially thank you Jan, for your commitment to RTSSV, for all the work you have done over the last ten years and for just being you.

Road Trauma Support Services Victoria is turning 25

Join us to celebrate our birthday

5:30pm – 7:30pm Thursday 31 October 2019
Box Hill Pavilion
1155 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, VIC 3128

Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP by Friday 25 October 2019, places strictly limited.
1300 367 797 or office.manager@rtssv.org.au

Our history

Road Trauma Support Services Victoria (RTSSV) was founded in 1994 by a small group of people whose lives had been directly impacted by road trauma. These people understood the need for a specialist service where support could be offered to those who, like them, were suffering because of the injury or loss of a loved one on the roads. They joined with professionals working in the area to provide counselling and support.

From this humble beginning in 1994, RTSSV has grown to offer state-wide counselling and support any Victorian affected by a road incident. RTSSV now comprises a team of staff and volunteers who provide support and education services to more than 7,000 people annually.

In 2015 RTSSV celebrated its 21st birthday and produced a booklet called 21 years.