As the first light broke over Nobbys Beach, a sombre group gathered to honour a man described as larger-than-life. Friends, family, and former colleagues of Mark Lucas came together at dawn on Friday to remember the former police officer, father, and footballer.
A Life of Service and Struggle
Mark Lucas was a father, brother, and son who dedicated 18 years of his life to the NSW Police Force. The 49-year-old, who also played for the Newcastle Knights as a 19-year-old in 1993, died on November 3, 2023, after a battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He joined the police in 2002 and served until his retirement in 2020 due to his mental health condition.
His loved ones made the journey to the iconic Newcastle location to share stories and support one another. His brother, Jamie, expressed gratitude for the memorial event, noting the significance of the setting. "I can't thank Pat Gleeson enough for organising the memorial swim, it really means a lot to our family," Jamie said. He added that a barbecue cooked by friends provided a fitting end to the emotional morning.
Remembering a Loyal Character
The memorial was organised by former colleague Pat Gleeson, who described Lucas as an intensely loyal and intelligent person. "Mark was a larger-than-life character, he was somebody that was very loyal and always, always had your back," Mr Gleeson said. He emphasised that the event served a dual purpose: to honour Mark's memory and to check in on the wellbeing of those he left behind.
Mr Gleeson reflected on the changing attitudes towards mental health within emergency services. Having joined the police in the 1980s, he recalled a time when psychological struggles were rarely discussed. "I think now, to have current serving police... see that even when we're not doing that work anymore, there's always somebody around that you can yell out to and say you're not doing that well, is important," he stated.
A Legacy of Awareness and Support
The gathering included Mark's 11-year-old son, Jack, and other family members who travelled from Gunnedah. For them, the event was a powerful demonstration that Mark's legacy and spirit endure. Mr Gleeson highlighted the critical message of the dawn tribute: that support networks exist and mental wellbeing must be prioritised.
"Having that get together this morning reinforces the fact that there are people around that care about us and want to ensure that not only are we physically well, but we're staying on top of our mental health as well," he said. The event underscored a vital community and professional bond, showing that former colleagues continue to look out for one another long after their service ends.
Support is available for anyone in distress through services like Lifeline (13 11 14), Mensline (1300 789 978), Kids Helpline (1800 551 800), beyondblue (1300 224 636), and 1800-RESPECT (1800 737 732).
