But that hasn’t stopped her from coming back every year to create a safe space on the Civic Green for people to remember the loved ones they’ve lost to suicide.

Warrnambool City councillors have got behind the cause this year to help Ms Mast organise and publicise Tuesday’s event, and just to let her know she is not alone.

“Lynny always thinks ‘is this going to be worth it in the end?’. But she knows it is,” Cr Mike Neoh said.

“It’s important to get behind her so she doesn’t feel alone on this cause.”

Ms Mast said losing loved ones to suicide had prompted her to start the event, and she knows it comes at an emotional cost, not just for her but for those who volunteer to help and those who come to lay a wreath.

“It’s a really tough day because I know the hurt people are going to feel when they come to do this. It’s very confronting,” she said.

“The first year I ran it, it took me two months to recover because it affected me personally so much, so the people who come and help me I’m very cautious that I let them know that it’s a tough day.”

“It’s a healing process.”

With the region having a higher rate of suicide, 14.9 compared to 10 per cent statewide, Cr David Owen, who also works for Lifeline, said it was important for people to be aware.

Donation tins for Lifeline will be set up outside the Warrnambool Art Gallery on the day, and inside will be a place to reflect, decorate a wreath, talk to someone or just to have a cuppa. 

“I try and keep it very low key because in our community it is a very confronting issue and I know that it’s important for people to have a place where they feel safe,” Ms Mast said.

She said the day provided a safe place for people to talk, share their stories and talk about how as a community we combat suicide.

“It’s not an easy topic to talk about,” Ms Mast said.

She said Warrnambool hosted the only White Wreath Association event in Victoria, which was started by Queensland’s Fanita Clark after she lost her son on May 29, 1999.