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Black Dog breakfast brings out our best

02 September 2014

MEET Winston – mascot for the Black Dog Ride, which rumbled into Jabiru on Monday 4 August. Named after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the friendly faced fluffy toy is emblematic of the all-too-common scourge of depression. Churchill, too, was plagued by dark moods, which followed him around like a “black dog”.

The charity ride raises awareness of depression and suicide prevention by engaging and collaborating with local communities across Australia. It also serves up some very fine coffee, with the Motokaf – a little coffee shop housed in a motorbike and sidecar – serving up a special blend of AAA grade Arabica beans.

To support this year’s event, the West Arnhem Regional Council hosted a free community breakfast at Lake Jabiru Park on Monday August 4 to welcome the Black Dog Riders including Jabiru Fire Station OIC Mick Hutton. The free breakfast helped build social links for riders, community members, and community groups while raising vital funds for mental health services.

On behalf of West Arnhem Regional Council, Councillor Peter Wilson presented Mick Hutton with a painting of Adjumallarl (Dog Dreaming). The artwork, by Joey Nganjmirra, is from Injalak Arts and Crafts Association in Gunbalanya. Cr Wilson praised the efforts of the Black Dog Ride in raising more than $1.5 million for mental health services while fostering mental health awareness around the country.

“Mick from the Jabiru Fire Brigade has helped by raising in excess of three-and-a-half thousand dollars, which is remarkable,” Cr Wilson said. “This ride helps raise awareness of mental illness that is still misunderstood and very much underfunded in modern society.”

Mr Hutton thanked the volunteers who put on the breakfast, saying the riders had not seen a turnout like it in any other community. “How good is this – and how good is the Territory, it rocks,” Mr Hutton said.

From its beginnings six years ago a one-man ride around Australia, the Black Dog Ride has grown into an annual event. Steve Michael from WA began it all in 2008, with an impromptu ride to raise awareness after childhood friend Jack Michael lost his wife to suicide. Mr Andrews, who had lost his mum to suicide, got on his motorbike and rode around Australia talking to people. “When I started out I wasn’t even thinking about money, it was all about awareness but people were so keen to donate,” he said. He launched the Black Dog Charity in the wake of his inaugural ride. 

Black Dog Rider Mick Hutton from Jabiru Fire Station receives a ‘Dog Dreaming’ artwork from West Arnhem Councillor Peter Wilson at a free community breakfast put on to welcome the riders. Black Dog Rider Mick Hutton from Jabiru Fire Station receives a ‘Dog Dreaming’ artwork from West Arnhem Councillor Peter Wilson at a free community breakfast put on to welcome the riders.