Co-founder of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, Walter Mikac, shared his personal experiences dealing with loss and grief at the annual San Memorial Service on September 21.
The service, held at Wahroonga Seventh-day Adventist Church (Sydney, NSW), is dedicated to remembering the lives of patients who have passed away at Sydney Adventist Hospital. It serves as a meaningful opportunity for family and friends to come together to honour, remember and celebrate their loved ones.
Adventist HealthCare CEO Brett Goods described Mr Mikac as one of those extraordinary people who has been able to take a devastating experience and make this country a better place.
“He made a change in this country due to his influence,” he said during the service.
Mr Mikac shared the personal hardships that have impacted his life. In 1996, his two young daughters along with his wife were among the 35 people killed in Australia’s worst massacre at Port Arthur, Tasmania.
“It’s a very individual journey,” Mr Mikac said. “People expect you to grieve in a particular way and we’re all quite different.”
He reflected on how he navigated his own grief and loss, offering encouragement to others by reminding them not to compare their journey with anyone else’s.
“We as human beings, we all experience grief and loss,” Mr Mikac said.
“For some of us it’s not that much of a challenge. For other it can be profound, it can be intense, it can be completely debilitating.
“It really comes down to how we deal with that challenge and what we do with it. Some of us do get stuck in that rut, unable to see a path out of there. We all have different expectations about how people should grieve.”
Mr Mikac completed his message referencing Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying, nor pain anymore for the former things have passed away.”
“Speakers who share about their life experience never fail to touch lives and leave a lasting imprint in the listeners,” said Dr Steve Stephenson, director of mission integration at Adventist HealthCare.
“Walter Mikac shared about the darkest moments of his life, unimaginable loss, but highlighted the ‘bittersweet’ result of a horrific tragedy (national reform on gun control) creating a safe place for all Australians. You gain strength, courage, confidence, comfort and peace when you share with others who have experienced loss and grief. This is why the San holds a sacred service on a Sabbath afternoon as an annual event.”
Themed “Honouring Story”, the service featured a candle-lighting segment in memory of the loved ones who had passed. It also included special musical items by Mountain View Adventist College junior choir, New Blend Quartet, soloist Cybèle Coutet-Craig, 12-year-old violinist Sophia Thomas and organist Michael Rigby along with poetry, Scripture readings and prayers. Sponsored by the San Foundation, the service was followed by afternoon tea at the Fox Valley community centre.
