Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I love the feeling of freedom and exhilaration that riding a motorbike brings, and it is even better when motorbike riding is done with other enthusiasts for a good cause. On Saturday, my good mate the member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace, and I, together with about 40 other riders, participated in the Queensland leg of the Black Dog Ride. Starting out at Old Petrie Town, we rode into Gympie's Nelson Reserve, where we were greeted by many wellwishers. The riders will go on to Mackay, Charters Towers, Mount Isa, Tennant Creek and finish in Darwin, and they will be speaking with local communities along the way about mental health.

The Black Dog Ride began in 2009, when Steve Andrews, following the loss of a friend to suicide, set off on a ride around Australia to raise awareness about depression. The ride is now a national charity event, supported by thousands of Australians, raising funds for mental health programs. It encourages people to talk about depression and suicide and to seek help as early as possible. It is a very sad fact that eight Australians every day lose their lives to suicide. That's one every three hours. The Black Dog Ride aims to reduce the toll by talking about mental health and letting people know there is help available.

I would like to give a shout-out to my friend Donna Griffin and Michael Young, known as 'Youngie', and everyone involved in the ride. I wish them well. Watch out for kangaroos and emus and stay upright.