By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
IN a cross-state ride that takes them to Phillip Island, the Black Dog Ride Australia made a stop for brew in Morwell last week.
More than 45 riders pulled into J Smith Motors for a snag and a drink on Wednesday, February 19, sporting their slick bikes parked outside the Elizabeth Terrace site.
Black Dog Ride Australia is a national charity raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention, with thousands of volunteers doing community rides all across the country.
“One bloke had lost a friend to suicide and to try and work his way through that he jumped on his bike and did a lap of Australia,” Black Dog Ride Australia, Victorian State Coordinator, Bernie Garvey said.
“In doing so, (he) chatted to a lot of people as he went, trying to talk out his understanding of it all and by the time he got home, he had a bit of a following and that following turned into a charity.”
The opportunity in Morwell came about due to J Smith Motors owner Darren Cornell riding alongside a group of them in his spare time.
“Daz (Cornell) and I have known each other for a few years, just riding together, hit it off as great mates, and for him to be able to host us for lunch with support from RACV and some others, that speaks a lot to (how well) our charity’s received and that we’re doing some good in the community,” Mr Garvey said.
Being a ‘ride for the riders’, these outings give opportunities for those from local clubs to tag along the journey with a common bond, giving them a new space to open up or explore themselves.
“They feel better about talking to somebody else, they’re outside their community or their family group where you spin around and around in circles,” Mr Garvey said.
“If you’ve got a mental health issue that’s manifested by the fact that you just bounce off the same four walls, if you can get out and do what we’re doing, it opens the doors up and away you fly.”
Faculties from Victoria and South Australia linked with those from Queensland and New South Wales as they made their way to the FIM Superbike World Championship which held its season opening of its Australian round at the acclaimed Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit at the weekend.
Black Dog Ride Australia is the official charity of the 2025 Australian Superbike Championship, Australian Off-Road Championship and Australian ProMx Championship, with volunteers from the organisation featuring prominently across all events taking them through to August.
On March 16, Black Dog Ride Australia holds its annual 1 Dayer ride that has a section in Latrobe Valley beginning at Gippsland Social Motorcycle Club, Traralgon.
Money raised goes to smaller charities and mental health organisations that don’t receive government funding with the aim to support communities directly.
