The Black Dog Ride is a motorcycle ride running from all capitals in Australia to Alice Springs in August each year.  They also conduct one day rides in March each year. The purpose of the Black Dog Ride is to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention.

Many of the riders have been touched in some way either personally or through their friends and family. The experience of being touched by any health issue tends to make one take more notice, particularly if something can be done about it. These rides provide great opportunities for riders to talk to each other. Furthermore, because the Ride to the Red Centre travels through so many towns, riders have a great opportunity to meet with ordinary members of the community along the way. It's amazing how many open up and speak of their personal experiences. Some have never felt comfortable in talking about them previously.

This year, (2013), saw the Victorian contingent of the Black Dog Riders visit Wedderburn for a lunch stop.  Wedderburn have been great supporters of the ride as a town, having contributed well over $10,000 over the last three years.  Last year when the ride went to Charlton for lunch, many people from Wedderburn lined the street outside the Mechanics Institute to wave to the riders as they passed through. The ride also passed through Boort last year.

This time, with a scheduled stop at Wedderburn, the Wedderburn Community House and the Healthy Minds Network worked together to provide a great reception for the riders. Wedderburn Tourism was also involved and had several displays of what is great about Wedderburn and Loddon to encourage the riders to return on another visit. Lifeline also attended and provided information to people.

There was a great BBQ cooked by the Lions and the Community House had arranged for Adrian Panozzo to speak about his crossing of the Sahara Desert in a marathon race he competed in on two occasions. The analogy with the battle of depression was quite amazing.

It was great to see a good turnout of people from the community and the organisations involved.