Seymour’s fifth Black Dog Ride will play a significant role in recovery for attendees impacted by the recent fires.
“(We want) to show that support and rally together because, as we know, it’s hard times out there at the moment,” ride co-ordinator Kylie Comte said.
“It’s seven weeks or so on now. This is the time where things start to rise, the adrenaline has stopped and they’re sitting and it’s quiet ... it’s always after that time, where you end up being quiet and alone, that’s when it hits.
“It’s probably come at a good time, our ride. We really want to highlight that it’s important to chat with people and get that conversation going.”
Ms Comte, who also spends her time captaining the Seymour Fire Brigade, said a number of district firefighting volunteers had come on board to bring the event to life.
“I think this (event is) a bit special for them this year, and for community members. We may or may not have people on the ride that are affected,” she said.
Initial rides were held in 2009, and the event has since spread to communities across the country, with local rides all working to raise awareness of depression and raise funds for the Black Dog Ride charity.
Ms Comte brought the event to Seymour in 2020 after attending rides in other towns.
“I went to one in Mornington and then I went to one at Wangaratta and at the end of that ride, the Victorian co-ordinator asked if anybody was thinking about doing it in their town,” she said.
“I just knew that, for some reason, I just had to do it.
“Mental health is really close to my heart and you don’t have to go far to find somebody that’s dealt with it or supported someone through it. Everybody’s been touched by it.”
The need for a ride in Seymour became evident from the first year it was held, when about 200 riders showed up.
Ms Comte said, after all these years, the day wouldn’t be possible without the help of ride volunteers and the staff at the Royal Hotel, which has historically hosted the conversations, meals and entertainment after the ride.
Seymour’s Black Dog Ride will be held on Sunday, March 15.
The annual event will begin at 8.30am at the Royal Hotel with breakfast and a rider briefing, followed by the ride through Seymour and surrounding regions.
Riders will return to the Royal about noon. There, lunch will be served, a raffle will be drawn and an auction will be held, with live music filling the pub.
There will also be a guest speaker touching on themes of mental health. Conversations and connection will be encouraged.
To book tickets, to donate or for more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ytkt4pm5
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, support is available at Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
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