We had the privilege of designing Holding Hope for 60 Years, a commemorative coffee table book marking six decades of crisis support. The book chronicles Lifeline’s journey from its first call in 1963 to the nationwide support network it is today, offering a testament to its enduring mission of providing hope and connection.
A visual journey
The book’s structure follows Lifeline’s timeline from its early days in Sydney, combined with rare archival photographs. It offers readers a glimpse into Lifeline’s early days and takes them on a visual journey through the decades.
Lifeline was started by Rev Dr Sir Alan Walker OBE, who noticed a lack of support for mental illness, a topic that was largely misunderstood and that many found uncomfortable to talk about for decades to come. Sir Alan Walker sought to change this, and at 5:01 pm on 16 March 1963, Lifeline’s first telephone began ringing in Sydney. Since then, Lifeline’s crisis supporter volunteers have answered calls every hour of every day, connecting with over 23 million help seekers.
Design with impact
As a commemorative gift marking 60 years of Lifeline’s impact, the book was thoughtfully crafted to honour its legacy. The design features a collage of vintage images on the inside covers, showcasing
its heritage, while the case-bound format and gold foiling on the front cover lend a sense of prestige and timelessness.
Throughout the design process, we were mindful of the sensitive and emotional nature of Lifeline’s work. We adopted a gallery-style layout and minimalist approach to feature each story without overwhelming the reader.
Honouring a legacy
Designing Holding Hope for 60 Years was an honour. Lifeline’s remarkable history speaks for itself, guiding the reader through 60 years of crisis support and hope. This project stands as a testament to Lifeline’s ongoing commitment to its vision of an Australia free from suicide, and we are proud to have played a part in commemorating this legacy.
If you’d like to find out more about the history of Lifeline or watch the Holding Hope for 60 Years documentary, head to 60years.lifeline.org.au
Holding Hope for 60 Years was written by Summer Land. Research by Callum Beaton. Art Direction and Design by Another Colour. Printing by Acorn Press.
