BUSSELTON’S main street was filled with the roar of motorbikes on Saturday morning as the Black Dog Riders began their 3809km journey.
The 120 riders left from the Goose Cafe car park in the rain to join hundreds of other riders in Alice Springs tomorrow.
Students at Vasse Primary School were treated to a visit by one of the riders and parent at the school, Derek Poole. He showed off his Harley Davidson at the Friday morning assembly, where students dressed as black dogs in recognition of depression awareness.
Derek will also be recording his journey and sharing photos and video with the students.
Vasse Primary School principal, Brian Devereux, brought his BMW scooter that he took on the first leg of the Saturday ride, to the assembly.
He said he believed he had a responsibility to teach his students about depression and to raise awareness.
“It’s an important issue that gets kept a little bit under wraps,” he said.
“We try to teach students about the concept, and to understand that having friends is important.”
Today the riders will depart Port Augusta for Coober Pedy. The riders from Western Australia will have covered an average of 686km a day, travelling the furthest of all the riders.
Support is available by calling Lifeline on 131 114, Mensline on 1300 789 978 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
More photos here.