The Black Dog Ride Young group held their annual ‘1 Dayer’ ride on Sunday, 20 March, to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention. Black Dog Ride started in 2009 initially as a ride to raise awareness of depression, before evolving into a national charity involving thousands of Australians who have raised millions for mental health programs and fostered mental health awareness.
On the third Sunday in March every year there is a nationwide ride around the country to raise money for mental health charities and to raise awareness for the cause. Sunday’s Black Dog Ride through the region saw 75 riders, 18 pillions and three cars behind the group. Riders from all over the country and state came along for the ride, with some participants coming from as far as Crookwell, West Wyalong, and Canberra. The Black Dog Ride raised $3,229 in cash, with the figure expected to rise when the Eftpos transactions are counted, with all money to be donated to the Black Dog Institute to support mental health. Each rider was charged $30 as an entry fee, with pillion riders paying $15. T
ex Quigg, organiser of the Black Dog Ride Young, along with his wife Debbie, both from Wallendbeen, explained the entirety of the day to The Times.
“We started off at the Young Railway Station and had the Young RFS come and cook us breakfast. I was there from about 7:30am, from 9:30am we had a rider’s brief and stands were up at 10:00am when we headed out. “We did a victory lap of the Main Street, headed out through Wombat into Harden to the painted silos. “From there we went down to Jugiong through Beggan Beggan. We had lunch at the Sir George and did a few raffles there. We then went up the highway to the Binalong turnoff near Bookham, through Binalong, headed back towards Galong, came onto the Cunningar Road into Boorowa, where we stopped at the Boorowa Hotel for a few more raffles.
“The publican there was absolutely awesome and looked after us by giving us a heap of stuff for our raffles.” “From Boorowa we went through Murringo, where the kids and parents lined the streets and gave us a wave as we went through, then we finished at the Great Eastern in Young – who were outstanding as well.” The group arrived back in Young at about 4:30pm on Sunday afternoon. “For one day, you have one ride and get together with mates and talk about mental health, raise money and awareness for the cause,” Tex continued. Sunday’s Black Dog ride was Tex’s very first ride for the fundraiser and is a cause very close to his heart. “I lost my mum through suicide just under two years ago,” he said.
A group of motorcycle friends named the Wondering Wedgetails’ joined the Black Dog Ride and provided the support needed for Tex to get the ride up and going. “I spoke to them a while back when I lost my mum and another fella in the same group came to me and said, ‘why don’t we do a ride and pass a hat around,’” Tex continued. “So, I got thinking and the nearest ride for us to do is about 200 kilometres away and by the time we ride 200 kilometres we don’t feel like another big ride, and then another long ride home. “So, I thought why don’t we do one here? Everyone supported us very well.”
The following businesses have all donated money or products towards the Black Dog Ride Young group and have helped support those struggling with mental health issues in the country. Some of the prizes of the raffles included; $200 gift voucher from South West Fuels, Geoff’s Auto Electrics in Young with over $800 of donated goods, as well as Burson Auto Parts, Newspower Newsagency Young, South West Tractors, Bunnings Warehouse Young, Brett Hardy Mechanical Repairs Young, Skie Pope at Sheds and Concrete Young, Steve Penrose of Penrose motors of Boorowa, Young Guns and Ammunition, Neville Holman Wall & Floor Tilling, Paula Geddes of In a Pickle, Bobby Tye The Health Studio in Young, Supercheap Autos, Repco in Cowra, Boorowa Hotel and Great Eastern Hotel Motel.
Tim Warren
