One in five Australians experience a mental health condition each year and three million Australians live with depression or anxiety.
On average, nine Australians take their lives each day which amounts to 3000 lives lost to suicide each year. That’s one Aussie every three hours.
In 2009, Steve Andrews rode 15,000kms over 26 days from Busselton in WA for his best man’s wife, Anna, who lost her battle with depression. In doing so, he raised $34,232.80 in funds in his mission to raise awareness for suicide and depression. Unbeknownst to him, it would be the start of a year’s long, nation-wide fundraising event.
Held annually on the third Sunday of March each year, the Black Dog Ride occurs in every state and territory across Australia. Each long-distance ride stops in with local communities during their trip to raise awareness and start conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
Although fundraising continues to be a secondary goal for the organisation in favour of starting the big conversations, Young’s ride last year raised more than $22,000 for the charity. This year, they hope to beat that number as they honour and remember some of the community’s best and brightest who are no longer with us.
Founded by beloved Young community member, Robert ‘Tex’ Quigg, who recently lost his life in an accident, the Young Black Dog Ride has become a staple each year for the community to start the conversations that matter.
Debbie, Tex’s wife, says it’s a way to raise awareness for suicide and depression.
“There’s just so much out there that people don’t actually understand about and this was Tex’s passion,” she says.
Losing his mum and a few of his mates to suicide, Debbie says there just isn’t enough awareness for how dangerous staying silent can be, which was what encouraged Tex to start his own event for the Black Dog Ride.
Dale Morton, a good friend of Tex and Debbie has been riding for suicide awareness for years. Last year, he shaved his head and beard at the Stockingbingal Bowling Club as part of the event. In the process, he raised more than $15,000. This year, he has stepped up to help Deb and Tex’s family run the annual event in honour of the great work that he had done in encouraging the tough conversations.
“On the day, we meet at the train station and you pre-register,” says Dale.
“Anyone with a motorbike or car is welcome, and if people don’t have a bike (or car) and want to come, they can register and we can work it out.”
This year, Dale says they plan to leave the train station and end at the Australian Hotel in Young.
“Each stop along the way we will be talking to people about Black Dog and raising awareness about depression, anxiety, and doing raffles at every stop,” he says.
“We’ve been asking local businesses to sponsor us in donating their merchandise that we can raffle off.
“Last year we gave money to the Young Crisis Centre and the Young Community Centre… they help people through what we’re trying to raise awareness for.”
Losing Tex in January, Dale says they are keeping his dream alive by pushing the event and bringing people together in his memory.
“I think we already have 100 bikes,” he says.
“It’s getting pretty big and we are trying to get everybody to get around, say hello and have that chat if they need to.”
Describing it as a cycle, Dale says they hope to encourage one conversation, which can turn to two, which can turn to three.
“We’d love to get this as big as we can,” he says.
“It’s not just here in Young, Black Dog Rides is Australia-wide, but I’d like to make this one of the biggest ones that’s out there.”
Dale wears his Black Dog Rides shirt wherever he can in hopes of getting the word out as much as possible, all year round.
“It’s not just a one day thing,” he says.
“It’s every day.”
Readers and participants can expect to see Dale on his Harley, riding in memory of Tex.
But what else will people see?
“Anything that’s registered, roadworthy and you can ride,” says Dale.
The Young Black Dog Ride has seen plenty of different rides rock up to the start line, most notably a bright and festive vespa bringing up the rear last year.
“Cars are definitely welcome,” says Debbie.
“We had a few cars last year.”
This year, Dale says they hope to get a hold of some car clubs to get an assortment of vintage, sports and other cars to participate in the ride.
For any car that might struggle to pass 80km/h, Dale says they’ll have learners on the run, limited their max speed limit.
“We branch out and look after everyone,” he says.
Registrations on the day will be available, although Debbie highly recommends registering before the day on the Black Dog website.
The Young Black Dog Ride isn’t just limited to locals, with riders journeying from Queensland, Victoria and Canberra.
This year, the ride holds more significance than others following the recent loss of Tex. Dale says everyone is going through problems, but most have the odd dollar or two to support such an important dream.
“Rural communities is one of the worst areas for suicide rates,” says Dale.
Most of their pleas for recognition and support have fallen on deaf ears, although they continue to hold out hope to see some local and national parliamentary figures turn up on March 15.
“Sometimes it feels like we push on deaf ears,” says Dale.
“We are trying to get the word out there.
“If they see that there’s people [turning up in support] they are going to [want to help].”
One of the biggest challenges in the country, Dale says, is gathering that attention.
“There’s only so much that we can do,” he says.
Last year, the team rode to The Nation’s Capital (ACT) to raise awareness for domestic violence.
They arrived to no fanfare or recognition, despite planting their feet on the green outside of Parliament House.
This year, they hope to change the narrative.
“That’s why we want to get the word out as much as we can,” says Dale.
A “family-friendly day”, Dale says the event is open to all ages, with the team often seeing many children accompanying family members for a day out.
Starting the conversation young is something Dale says needs to be done more.
“It’s not just adults. It’s teenagers as well,” he says.
“It takes anyone, any colour.
“Doesn’t care about your age and colour, no matter who or what you are.”
With rates increasing each year, Dale says it is important to start the conversation now and often.
“It’s never too young to have the conversation,” he says.
To make this event their biggest yet, Debbie, Dale and their team of volunteers are looking for as many registrations and donations as possible, as well as some support from parliamentary figures.
“We are keeping Tex’s dream alive,” says Debbie.
– Elizabeth Kovacs
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