1 Dayer 2015 Ride Wrap Up
Thousands of riders around the nation saddled up for suicide prevention.
The 2010 Black Dog Ride for LAMP set the wheels in motion for what has now become an annual nationwide mental health event involving thousands of Black Dog Riders, hundreds of community organisations, local clubs, small businesses and individuals Australia wide, all coming together for suicide prevention on one single day.
This year, the annual Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer took place in 33 locations in every state and territory. To make this massive task even more monumental, Black Dog Ride's volunteer Ride Coordinators faced the challenges of tropical cyclones, unpredictable and heavy rainfall, and thousands of riders headed to the Ulysses AGM (also where Founder Steve Andrews could be found). But undeterred, these community heroes focussed on engaging their local community and brought together 6,400 Black Dog Riders plus hundreds of volunteers who amplified the Black Dog Ride message of depression and suicide prevention nationwide.
RIDE COORDINATORS
All the 33 legs of the 1 Dayer were coordinated by inspirational volunteers who poured their passion for the cause into countless hours preparing each ride leg. These Ride Coordinators are:
ACT: Bettina (Canberra)
NSW: Rose Hancock (Bathurst); Daz and Julie Jewell (Central Coast); Mark Thorpe and Anny Seaton (Condobolin); Steve Gower (Dubbo); Tony Payne (Grafton); Nathe Gyaneshwar (Penrith); Todd Taylor (Port Macquarie); Paul Gaffney (South Coast); Brett Parsell (Wagga Wagga)
NT: Mark Taylor (Darwin)
QLD: Jol Taylor (Bundaberg); Vanessa and Phil Louden and Derek Tottle (Cairns); Brett and Michelle Lewis (Fraser Coast); Kylie Sage (Gold Coast); Charles Linsley (Mackay); Michael Young (Sunshine Coast); Ben Price (Townsville)
SA: Steve Dixon (Kangaroo Island); Merv and Julie Storton (Tanunda); John Coulls (Whyalla)
TAS: Betty Parssey (Campbell Town)
VIC: Shane Taylor (Bendigo); Paul Roadley (Geelong); Ray Pratt (Mildura); David McAuliffe (Pakenham); Heather Muskee (Penshurst); Laurie Park (Sale); Jim Redmond (Wangaratta)
WA: Graeme Raine (Avon Valley); Sam Prince (Bridgetown); Kathy Nikolaenko (Kalgoorlie-Esperance); Jay Fedderson (Geraldton).
These local legends are helping Black Dog Ride turn our vision of a nation who can talk about mental health openly, into a reality. Our deepest thanks to them all for giving so much of themselves to the 1 Dayer.
RIDE PHOTOS
Have you got any snapshots from your ride? Please email Fiona as they're being uploaded in albums HERE so everyone in the BDR community can enjoy them. Check out the Black Dog Ride pics on Instagram HERE and the 1 Dayer pics on Twitter HERE. Please be patient while Fiona uploads them onto Facebook over the next few days.
RIDER PARTICIPATION
Drum roll, the figures are in! In spite of cyclones and flooding on the eastern seaboard, 6,400 Black Dog Riders rode out on 22nd March for depression and suicide prevention awareness -
| RIDE REGION | TOTAL RIDERS |
| Avon Valley | 233 |
| Bathurst | 120 |
| Bendigo | 275 |
| Bridgetown | 412 |
| Bundaberg | 71 |
| Cairns | 233 |
| Campbell Town | 250 |
| Canberra | 208 |
| Central Coast | 550 |
| Condobolin | 28 |
| Darwin | 215 |
| Dubbo | 234 |
| Fraser Coast | 163 |
| Geelong | 195 |
| Geraldton | 157 |
| Gold Coast | 186 |
| Grafton | 50 |
| Kalgoorlie-Esperance | 143 |
| Kangaroo Island | 67 |
| Mackay | 191 |
| Mildura | 253 |
| Pakenham | 156 |
| Penrith | 187 |
| Penshurst | 69 |
| Port Macquarie | 85 |
| Sale | 141 |
| South Coast | 200 |
| Sunshine Coast | 204 |
| Tanunda | 252 |
| Townsville | 291 |
| Wagga Wagga | 156 |
| Wangaratta | 312 |
| Whyalla | 78 |
SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
We would be remiss not to mention and thank the fantastic Sponsors and the legendary Lions Clubs whose ongoing support is sincerely appreciated.
Hundreds of local businesses and organisations provided donations for local raffles, venues for functions and discounted food to help support the cause. Ride Coordinators are issuing these wonderful people, businesses and organisations with Certificates of Appreciation.
Black Dog Ride also gratefully acknowledges the many hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes supporting the Ride Coordinators.
PRIZE WINNERS
Pre Registration Raffle Prize
The pre-registration incentive raffle prize of a 9ct gold hand crafted signet ring designed by Black Dog Rider Clayton Gordon, featuring a unique Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer 2015 logo, was drawn by Steve Andrews at the Wangaratta 1 Dayer. The winner was Nat Hardy who was riding in the Tanunda SA 1 Dayer! Congratulations Nat and thanks for pre-registering! Around 50% of riders registered online which really helps our volunteers on ride day with catering and merchandise.
V8 Supercar Experience at Sandown
Our good friends at Holden helped us reward Black Dog Riders by giving everyone a chance to win an awesome V8 Supercar Experience on 15th September at Sandown Raceway, Victoria valued at $495!
All riders had to do is post a guess on how many Winstons in total will be on the Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer!
The total count of black dogs on bikes came to: 3,182
The closest guess was ..... R. J. Leggat Williams
RJ guessed 3,241, just 59 out! RJ please contact the Black Dog Ride office to claim your prize.
Thank you GM Holden for continued fantastic support of Black Dog Ride!
BLACK DOG RIDE AMBASSADOR
DAVE MCKENNA
Black Dog Ride's Ambassador and Street Bike Stunt Rider Dave McKenna gave a special performance for Black Dog Riders at the Penrith 1 Dayer! The jawdropping display stunned and thrilled all the Black Dog Riders who braved the weather to participate. You can view the album of images HERE and also leave a message of support for Dave, he went above and beyond to make this happen. Thank you Dave!
Dave McKenna also donated a helmet for auction with proceeds going to Lifeline! The successful bidders were Jason Kennedy and Samantha Bills who took home the helmet for $710!
BENEFICIARIES
Black Dog Ride has been to proud to raise awareness and funds for 24 Australian mental health services through the 2015 Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer. Your fundraising efforts are helping these 24 mental health agencies fund suicide prevention programs across Australia.
The 2015 Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer has so far raised over $100,000 for:
Lamp Inc, Lifeline Albury-Wodonga, Lifeline Australia, Lifeline Bundaberg, Lifeline Canberra, Lifeline Central Coast, Lifeline Central Vic, Lifeline Central West, Lifeline Far North QLD, Lifeline Fraser District, Lifeline Geelong Barwon, Lifeline Gippsland Inc, Lifeline Gold Coast, Lifeline Mackay-Whitsunday, Lifeline Melbourne, Lifeline Mid Coast, Lifeline North Coast, Lifeline North QLD, Lifeline South West, Lifeline Sunshine Coast, Lifeline Tasmania, Lifeline Top End, Lifeline WA, Lifeline Western Sydney.
Over the coming weeks, Ride Coordinators will liaise with their ride's beneficiary and cheque presentations will be arranged which we hope you'll be able to attend.
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Finally, a huge and heartfelt thank you to every Black Dog Rider for getting into the saddle to kick start the conversation around depression and suicide prevention awareness. Black Dog Riders are dragging the black dog out of the shadows!
"Thanks to ALL of you... It makes a HUGE difference, knowing people care."
"Thank you to all who work tirelessly to organize such a phenomenal event."
"I like to thank everyone who participated, you are all Guardian Angels, keep up the great work!"
"I lost my son to suicide 8 years ago. I was driving back from the coast today and Black Dog Riders passed me. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace for the first time in 8 years. Thank you guys."
"All to be commended, may you all realize the massive, positive influence you have on so many."
"Awesome effort and congratulations to the organizers and volunteers. This year for us was special, my son and his best mate lost a very close friend to suicide earlier this year. Thanks to all for making this day special."
"It's great what you guys are doing, you have helped so many people all over Australia. Keep it up, I salute you!"
"What a fantastic show of community support - inspirational."
"Fantastic effort by everyone involved in making this day happen. You should all be very proud of what you have accomplished. I for one appreciate all the work you guys have done."
"Great to be part of a fantastic community thinking of others"
"With people like you out there spreading the word and helping people understand about depression & suicide we may all get the help and support that we need. You are our guardian angels"
"Thanks guys for working towards such a worthy cause!"
"Many Many Thanks to ALL the organisers. If it wasn't for all your efforts and energy the message would never be heard!!"
"Thank you for your organisations continued good work!"
"Great effort by all of you. So humbling to see there are people who are concerned about this terrible illness. Hats off to the whole lot of you in making today happen."
"Eyes are bloodshot, bug splats aplenty, tired, but the smiles remain 6 hours later. Had a great time, can't wait until next year's ride!"
"A bit emotional the first leg, this means a lot to me and thank you, can't wait till next year."
"You all rock!! You should be all so proud!"
"A great ride and so good to see so many other riders supporting those who live with Depression, Thanks again and yes I will do it again next year!"
"Bringing awareness among the young in a fun way will hopefully raise a generation better equipped to deal with mental health issues, well done!"
"Thanks so much to all the organizers, the corner markers, captain, tails, support cars, and all behind the scenes workers for all your hard work that made this ride so enjoyable."
"There were a lot of conversations started among the riders today, as well as an impressive ride through each town with a very visible and audible presence!"
"You guys did an amazing job well done! Can't wait for the next one!"
"What an amazing turn out. A big Thank You to all the wonderful souls on this ride and all the other rides throughout the country."
"I honked my horn and waved at everyone of you with tears streaming down thinking of my loved one who I lost to suicide. Thank you thank you thank you Black Dog Ride!"
"It was so great to be a part of such a visible promotion of what's still a difficult topic to talk about, depression and suicide. But what you are doing Black Dog Ride is changing all that. Thank you."
"We stood and watched the wonderful convoy of motor bikes coming into town today. Our child suffers from depression and worries about people finding out. You can't know just how much we appreciate the work done by Black Dog Ride in raising awareness of this illness."