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Black Dog Ride's Team

Volunteers

Our awareness raising activities are made possible by our huge band of dedicated and selfless volunteers, who take on many different roles in our many different activities. In 2022 over 400 people gave their time and energy to helping with rides and community activities right across Australia, making a real difference in people's lives right across the nation.

To our fantastic volunteers, thank you!

State and Territory Coordinators

These invaluable volunteers coordinate community projects within their state or territory, in addition to mentoring and supporting local Coordinators. Black Dog Ride could not amplify our message of depression and suicide prevention awareness across the nation without the tireless efforts of our wonderful volunteer coordinators and their amazing teams.

New South Wales – Nerolie Falconer EMAIL

Northern Territory – Shane Klein EMAIL

Queensland – Michael Young EMAIL

South Australia – Craig Goodman EMAIL

Tasmania – Jeremy Gill EMAIL

Victoria – Bernie Garvey EMAIL

Western Australia – Steve Ingram EMAIL

1 Dayer Coordinators

Dozens of volunteers in each state and territory dedicate incalculable hours to developing and organising our annual Black Dog Ride 1 Dayers. They, and their volunteer teams, are an integral part of Black Dog Ride's success in raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention.

ACT:

  • Canberra - Sonia van den Berg

NSW:

  • Bathurst - Coordinator required - please contact Nerolie Falconer EMAIL
  • Campbelltown - Scott Perry
  • Central Coast - Coordinator required - please contact Nerolie Falconer EMAIL
  • Condobolin - Anny Seaton
  • Deepwater - Stuart O'Neill
  • Dubbo - Wayne Amor
  • Gloucester - Tyler Standen
  • Leeton - Roly Zappacosta
  • Newcastle - Jeremy (Chewy) Brett
  • Penrith - Brendan Moncrieff
  • Port Macquarie - Josh Salter
  • South Coast - Luke Cunningham
  • Tamworth - John Holyoake
  • Wagga Wagga - Nerolie Falconer
  • Wollongong - Andy Stewart
  • Young - Tex Quigg

NT:

  • Alice Springs - Amber Simms
  • Darwin - Shane Klein
  • Katherine - Leigh "Krico" Kariko

QLD:

  • Cairns - Clif Nelder 
  • Darling Downs - Jol and Shanelle Clark
  • Gold Coast - Liz Molloy and Kathy Zannes
  • Mackay - Catherine Purcell
  • Sunshine Coast - Sandra Helkin
  • Townsville - Peter Bennett
  • Whitsundays - Mark Martell and Brett Lamont
  • Wide Bay Burnett  - Coordinator required - please contact Michael Young EMAIL

SA:

  • Adelaide (North) - Peter Wilson
  • Adelaide (South) - Craig Field
  • Ceduna - Coordinator required - please contact Craig Goodman EMAIL
  • Kadina - Coordinator required - please contact Craig Goodman EMAIL
  • Kangaroo Island - Steve Dixon
  • Limestone Coast & Mallee - Rosa Hillam
  • Port Augusta - Kev Lane
  • Roxby Downs - Adam Trezise
  • Whyalla - Coordinator required - please contact Craig Goodman EMAIL

TAS:

  • Campbell Town - Jeremy Gill

VIC:

  • Albury/Wodonga - Brent Hallows
  • Ballarat - TJ Shah
  • Bendigo - Andy Schloss
  • Latrobe Valley - Robert Brasher
  • Geelong - David Doak
  • Kerang - Geoff Douthat
  • Melbourne East - Chris Seabrook
  • Mornington - Coordinator required - please email Bernie Garvey EMAIL
  • Seaford - Carolin Wallbridge
  • Seymour - Kylie & Peter Comte
  • South West Victoria - Ben Gay
  • Wangaratta - Kurt Dissegna

WA:

  • Avon Valley - Wesley Sutton
  • Baldivis - Chris Glover
  • Busselton - Dave Bower
  • Denmark - Roger Seeney & Rob Woods
  • Esperance - Coordinator required - please contact  Steve Ingram EMAIL
  • Kalgoorlie - Coordinator required - please contact  Steve Ingram  EMAIL
  • Perth Metro - John Hitchcock
  • Pilbara - Coordinator required - please contact  Steve Ingram  EMAIL
  • Port Hedland - Coordinator required - please contact  Steve Ingram  EMAIL

Winston – Mascot

Winston was Steve's companion on the inaugural Black Dog Ride around Australia in 2009 and has been on every single Black Dog Ride! He also travels to agricultural shows, public forums and speaking engagements.

Winston has proven to be a brilliant tool for engaging the community of all ages about mental health awareness. You will see Winston on the bikes of Black Dog Riders right across the country. You can purchase your own Winston in our online shop.

Black Dog Ride's Mascot is named after Sir Winston Churchill, who famously diarised about being hounded by the "black dog of depression".

"Black Dog" is a powerfully expressive metaphor that appears to require no explanation.The combination of 'blackness' with the negative connotations of 'dog, noun and verb, seems an eminently apt description of depression: an ever present companion, lurking in shadows just out of sight, growling, vaguely menacing, always on the alert; sinister and unpredictable, capable of overwhelming you at any moment. - Paul Foley