The memory of young Riverina men lost to the black dog has been honoured in a mental health fundraiser almost 1000 kilometres away from the region.
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The Dirranbandi Showgrounds, in southern Queensland, was pounding with diesel fumes and revs from 112 ute enthusiasts who gathered behind the Dirran's doing it for your mates ute muster on Saturday.
The idea of the event came from Dirranbandi local contract harvester Mitch Smart, who had just turned 18. Mitch, who moved from southern NSW to Queensland 18 months ago, had lost eight of his friends to suicide over the past three years.
Mitch told his mother, Carrie Smart, he didn't want an 18th birthday party, but instead, he wanted to raise money for teenage suicide and mental health.
Mrs Smart, whose three children Alana aged 25, Mitch aged 18 and Tub, 17, said they really struggled with the loss of their mates, which was the driving force of the event.
"It is really hard on them, my daughter will talk about it, but the boys don't," she said.
Those Mitch lost were in the Gundagai and Adelong districts, before the family moved to Dirranbandi to work for Cubbie Station as contract harvesters.
He said all the mates he had lost were those he had played football with... "and I didn't know they were struggling".
"They all had good lives, good jobs and plenty to live for," Mitch said.
Founder of Are You Bogged Mate? Mary O'Brien said the event was important as it brought awareness to the issue.
"These mates need to talk about the issues they have in their bucket," Ms O'Brien said.
"Everyone has an emotional bucket with big and small things getting dumped into it every day, and you do have to empty it at some point."
Ms O'Brien said when she visited Dirranbandi last November, she was touched by Mitch's story, and was very happy to lend her support.
Overall, the event raised $9000 through the gate, plus bar and merchandise sales, which are still to be finalised.
Funds will be donated between the Dirranbandi Local Ambulance Committee, and ALIVE, a community-driven organisation of people and partners committed to end youth suicide.
If you need help
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
- MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
- beyondblue 1300 22 4363