Limestone Coast joins mental health ride

BEING there for a mate in need – that is at the heart of the Black Dog Ride and why Limestone Coast ride organiser Carla Mashado wanted to provide a local ride.

That ride is this weekend, heading from Mount Gambier to Naracoorte – the first time the region has been part of the mental health campaign.

“I have been riding motorcycles for a little over five years now, in which time I have met a variety of other riders on charity rides, social rides and at motorcycle rallies,” Carla said. “It seemed a common trend that many riders shared how they found peace on their bike and a sense of belonging amongst the social motorcycle community.

“My partner and I had the opportunity to be a part of a Black Dog Ride a couple of years ago in Victoria, and we loved it. This was a ride organised by riders, taking the favourite back roads of their region, sharing the kilometres that made them feel good, and raising money for a great cause that the same time.

“Straight away I wanted to help make it happen here. With everyone’s busy lives, not everyone can travel to events. We have a lot of riders in the Limestone Coast region, and unfortunately, also a lot of people effected by depression and suicide.”

It has seen Carla and her organising committee setting up the Limestone Coast ride, running in conjunction with rides Australia wide to shine a light on mental health and suicide prevention.

And the support locally to help set it up has been profound.

APCO has provided the Mount Gambier starting point for the riders this Sunday, Acky’s Takeaway in Millicent for being prepared for the rush of people after refreshments, Naracoorte Lions Club for catering the riders’ arrival for lunch, along with all the other incredible volunteers that are set to make the day possible.

A day that has a number of aims including engaging and collaborating with local communities; raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention; building important social links for riders; linking riders to mental health support services; building the capacity of the Black Dog Ride; supporting local business and community groups and raising vital funds for mental health services.

In mental health, the ‘black dog’ is a widely recognised, enduring metaphor for depression.

“It symbolises the dark, heavy, and sometimes ‘invisible’ nature of the condition, representing feelings of deep melancholy, loss of motivation, and persistent low mood,” Carla said. “It is used to externalise the illness, making it easier to discuss and manage.”

Riders can register right up until the day and Carla was encouraging as many locals as possible to get involved in Sunday’s ride.

“Sometimes it takes an entire tank of fuel to clear your head, then, inside your helmet, you find peace,” Carla said.

You can also head to the Black Dog Ride website to donate to the cause – it is the 16th year the ride has been run.

To date, more than $4million has been raised by Black Dog Ride and its various community initiatives across the country to help raise much needed awareness about depression and suicide prevention within regional communities

March 15 Limestone Coast Itinerary

Check in at APCO from 8.30am

Briefing is at 9.15 am

Stand up at 9.30am

Heading through the wind farms and head to Millicent

Millicent for a coffee at Acky’s takeaway from 10.30-11am

Lucindale toilet break from 12pm to 12.15pm

12. 45 – 1pm finish the ride in Naracoorte at the MacDonnell Street park.

Locals who want to register or donate, can head to:

Limestone Coast: https://www.123tix.com.au/events/51801/limestone-coast-sa-black-dog-ride-1-dayer-2026

Make a donation: https://www.blackdogride.org.au/view/donate

Buy some Black Dog Ride merch: https://shop.blackdogride.com.au/