A motley crew of 195 leather-clad motorbike riders drove off into the sunrise on Sunday morning for the Black Dog Ride one-dayer.
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They drove through bushfire-ravaged towns, such as Batlow and Tumbarumba, to inject some money into the local economy and spark conversations about mental health.
The cause hits close to home for rider Graeme Hurst, who suffered from depression himself after undergoing some serious health problems.
"I had my leg amputated three years ago and was in a bit of a dark place," Mr Hurst said.
He made a slow recovery and was eventually able to get back in the saddle with the help of a prosthetic leg and a three-wheeled Harley Davidson.
Mr Hurst said the feeling of being on the open roads on his bike helped him get through the tough patches.
"It gives you a clearer head," he said.
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One of the youngest riders was 8-year-old motorcycle fan Jacob Gordon, who said he loved the feeling of whizzing down the road on the back of a motorbike.
"They go so fast," Jacob said.
His father David Gordon said he joined the Black Dog Ride out of his love of motorcycles and a desire to help people in need.
"It's all about giving back to the community, raising awareness," Mr Gordon said.
Organiser Graham Falconer said he was heartened to see some green shoots regrowing in previously blackened countryside, but said the community still needed a lot of support to bounce back.
"It's absolutely beautiful out there, but there's still a lot of devastation," Mr Falconer said.