Current Covid lockdowns have thrown the annual Black Dog Ride into jeopardy.
Black Dog Ride Australia (BDRA) recently met with all state ride coordinators to discuss the situation, but agreed it was too early to make the call to cancel plans the Red Centre Ride 2021.
They will convene again next Tuesday (13 July 2021) for a final decision which will be relayed to all participants no later that noon the following day to allow time to change or cancel accommodation bookings if required.
“The health of our BDR participants is of the utmost importance, and to this end, each state coordinator is working with their teams to put in place a workable plan B, just in case the worst happens and we face state border closures,” a BDR statement says.
If the event is cancelled, BDR assures participants there will be “a range of suitable refund options”for ride registration fees.
BDRA raises awareness and funds for mental health issues.
West Australian automotive marketer Lawson Dixon took over in February as general manager of the Perth-based organisation.
BDRA was started by Steve Andrews after his solo ride around Australia in 2009. His shock retirement in 2017 was followed by a series of changes in leadership, board membership and administrative staff that the organisation admitted in 2019 had left them “in a state of flux”.
The Black Dog Ride Australia (BDRA) organisation which raises awareness and funds for mental health issues this year installed a new leader and now needs three new board members.
West Australian automotive marketer Lawson Dixon took over in February as general manager of the Perth-based organisation which hosts annual rides to raise awareness of mental health issues.
BDR boss Lawson Dixon
BDRA was started by Steve Andrews after his solo ride around Australia in 2009. His shock retirement in 2017 was followed by a series of changes in leadership, board membership and administrative staff that the organisation admitted in 2019 had left them “in a state of flux”.
Now the organisation is seeking to fill its board wth professionals who are “genuinely committed to raise the awareness of mental health issues and suicide prevention”.
In a press statement, the BDR says they are “committed to diversity in the make-up of the board as well as the role that diversity plays in driving high performing and sustainable organisations.
If you are interested, the board needs candidates with skills in risk and safety management; PR, marketing and media; or sponsorship and fundraising.
Skills and experience in sponsorship and fundraising will also be highly regarded.
Board members should be aware that they may be financially and legally liable for board decisions.
To apply, send a covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria listed below and a copy of your resume no longer than three pages.
Applications must be received by email to [email protected] before 4pm on Friday 30 April 2021.
Board Criteria
General requirements:
Knowledge of corporate governance and board processes;
An understanding of the NFP environment and working with volunteers;
A willingness to join and/or lead board committees;
An ability to constructively engage and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders;
Excellent communication skills and strategic thinking;
A strong corporate ethics foundation;
Sound judgement, influencing, negotiating and decision-making skills;
A strong sense of connection with the mission of the organisation;
A collegiate and inclusive style; and
An individual who will invest time with the organisation and key staff. It is important that they have the commitment and capacity to strongly participate in and contribute to the board and the organisation’s next stage of development, as well as alignment with its culture.
Essential skills required in one or all the following areas:
Risk and safety management planning and implementation; or
After the 2020 Black Dog Ride was cancelled due to the pandemic for the first time in its 11-year history, the event will return to the Red Centre in 2021.
The BDR, which raises awareness and funds for mental health, was started by Steve Andrews after his solo ride around Australia in 2009.
Since then, most rides have been to the Red Centre with one ride around the country and even a ride across the USA.
For those who couldn’t make the epic annual trek, there were also one-day red events.
In its first decade, more than $3million has been raised by Black Dog Ride with funds passed on to organisations such as Lifeline, Mental Health First Aid Australia and the Black Dog Institute, as well as many many small community based volunteer groups and not-for-profits.
However, this year’s event in August was axed and registrations refunded in full.
Organisers say registrations are now open for the 2021 epic Red Centre ride.
“Of course, we want this ride to be all about mateship and fun, and of course, raising awareness of mental health and suicide prevention, as we stop and talk with people along the way,” they say.
The following ride groups are making the trek.
NSW/ACT through South Australia, and up the centre to Alice Springs.
WA through South Australia, and up the centre to Alice Springs.
SA around SA and up the centre to Alice Springs.
Vic/Tas through inland New South Wales and Queensland, then across to the Northern Territory and south to Alice Springs.
The Qld/NT ride group will travel through inland Queensland, then across to the Northern Territory, picking up Territorians before heading south to Alice Springs.
To find out more CLICK HERE to visit the Red Centre 2021 website.
From there you will also find links to the registration portal for each state/territory group.
Beyond 2021 the organisers say they have new destinations in mind for future years.
So the 2021 ride may be the last opportunity to travel with BDR to the Red Centre for some years to come.
Richard Brown of Black Dog Ride Australia says they are “focussing heavily on making sure that people who come on the ride feel very welcomed, and that they have fun”.
“Positive social connection/social relationships are very important when it comes to maintaining our mental health,” he says.
“We want this experience to be a good example of the spirit of mateship for all who participate.”
10 years on
Brian says the 10-year celebration dinner in Alice Springs should be “a real hoot”.
He says they don’t have the money for a “lavish” dinner, but participants will feel “a great sense of accomplishment for having made the journey”, formed “some really nice relationships” and “feel part of something really special”.
The following ride groups will join the Red Centre Ride:
The NSW/ACT ride group will travel through inland New South Wales, south through South Australia, and up the centre to Alice Springs.
WA and SA ride groups will both travel through their respective states, then meet up in Port Augusta to travel the rest of the way to Alice Springs as a combined group.
The Vic/Tas ride group will be travelling north through inland New South Wales and Queensland, then across to the Northern Territory and south to Alice Springs.
The Qld/NT ride group will travel through inland Queensland, then across to the Northern Territory, picking up Territorians before heading south to Alice Springs.
To register, go to the Black Dog Ride Red Centre 2020 page and click on the state or territory group you’d like to join.
Primary focus
Black Dog Riders head north
“Our primary purpose is raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention, so we plan to focus heavily on this,” Richard says.
“That means riding into towns and either attending a pre-organised community events, or simply parking down a main street and talking with community. Often people wandering by will ask ‘what’s this all about?’ or ‘what’s with the stuffed dogs?’
“So our participants literally get talking about mental health. Between all our state groups there will be just over 160 different town stops along the way.”
There is no fundraising target and participants are not required to raise extra funds.
Over the past 10 years, more than $3million has been raised by Black Dog Ride with finds passed on to organisations such as Lifeline, Mental Health First Aid Australia and the Black Dog Institute, as well as many many small community based volunteer groups and not-for-profits.
Richard says they have new destinations in mind for future years, so 2020 could be the last opportunity to ride to the Red Centre for several years.
Tickets are now available for the third annual Black Dog Ride to the World Superbikes at Phillip Island in 2020 to promote mental health issues.
Black Dog Ride Australia Victoria co-ordinator Bernie Garvey says riders get to see some spectacular scenery, participate in a parade lap of the circuit and promote mental health issues.
2019 World Superbikes at Phillip Island (Image: Jamie Morris/Geebee Images/2SNAP)
“In past years we had riders come from Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, WA, NT, QLD NSW and ACT,” Bernie says.
“Numbers build each year and we expect to offer 150 registered riders the experience this year.”
One of their more recent activities is the ride to the WSBK, costing $200-$440, depending on how many days you attend the event. Click here for the full details.
“There are two starting points at Marysville, Victoria, and Queanbeyan, ACT,” Bernie says.
Bikes line up in Marysville
“Both ride groups leave the Tuesday before the weekend and meet in Sale for a group dinner the Wednesday night before our group ride to Philip Island Thursday.
“The NSW group, takes a route over Mt Kosciusko through to Wodonga for a group and community dinner, and then over Hotham down to Sale. A wicked ride with some of the best roads and scenery.
“The Victorian group comes around Eildon, down through the King Valley to Bright.
“After a group and community dinner at Bright Hotel the next morning they head over the gap to Falls Creek, stopping at The Blue Duck Inn, before continuing down to Omeo, and then to Sale. Endless corners for the day.”
After lunch on Thursday at the Inline 4 Cafe, riders have exclusive access for a parade lap on the racetrack in the afternoon.
And who knows who they will meet!
Riders meet WSBK legend Troy Corser
Promote issues
Bernie says it is a “great mates’ escape” and fundraising is not their priority.
“Promoting a positive experience and facilitating an awesome group ride environment for riders is our goal,” he says.
“We also have a stand in the expo tent where we promote our rides and our charity message of raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention with positive messages and encouragement.
“We do a little tin rattling at the track over the weekend.
“Above all else, this ride’s priority is to promote positivity, an adrenaline injection, and a ride experience like no other.”
Veteran dementia charity fundraisers Ken Eaton and his dog Chloe joined the recent 10th anniversary Black Dog Ride around Australia that raised more than $60,000 for depression and mental illness.
BDR manager Richard Brown says 100% of funds raised will be given to community based groups and not-for-profit service providers via their new Community Grants program.
He says there will be about $150,000 in funds available and he invited groups to apply for grants of $1000 to $5000.
Ken and Chloe
Meanwhile, Ken says he excited to be able to share his experiences with other mental illness sufferers and survivors and help the Black Dog Ride.
Ken Eaton, of Joondalup in Western Australia, and Chloe have ridden about 200,000km on their BMW R 1200 GS raising money for dementia research through their Ride With Chloe To Fight The Black Dog.
“My motorbike travels started after losing my wife, and Chloe’s mum, to younger onset dementia 12 years ago after a downward spiral that lasted six years,” Ken says.
“After my wife Sue passed away, my daughters gave me an option of either buying a motorbike, a lifelong passion of mine, or getting a girlfriend. I bought a motorbike.
“I would miss Sue’s little companion dog, Chloe, each time I would ride so quickly developed a little travel pod for her and we have travelled the roads together ever since.
“Motorbike riding is a wonderful place to reflect, and along with involvement with the fantastic group of the Ulysses Club, I have happily survived a dark period of my life.
Ken and Chloe also host a travel blog and have published a book, Who Are You – reflections of a dementia survivor.
Black Dog Ride
Riders at the end of the Around Australia ride in Busselton, WA
Richard says this year’s BDR around Australia was a celebration of 10 years since Steve Andrews did his solo lap of the nation to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention.
“Ride groups engaged in conversation about mental health through pre-organised community connection events, and impromptu gatherings,” he says.
“One example of a pre-organised community connection event was our Black Dog Ride stall at a market in Broome on 24 August, which gave our Around Australia Riders the opportunity to meet locals and talk about mental health.
“Typically, when people see our banners and our mascot, Winston, many people stop to ask what we’re all about.
“It’s hard to put a figure on how many community members we talked to about mental health, but between all our ride groups this year we stopped in over 250 towns across the country.
“With a mixture of large, pre-planned, community events and the impromptu discussions, it’s likely that we have reached many thousands of people through our long distance rides this year.”
Win a Bobber
Indian Scout Bobber
As part of the BDR mission to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention, and raise funds, BDR is this year raffling an Indian Scout Bobber valued at $19,950 ride away.
The future of Black Dog Ride Australia (BDRA) events to raise awareness and funds for mental health issues is assured, despite recent staff, funding and cost problems, the organisation says.
“We have had three CEOs, three acting chairs and several changes to our board members,” the email says.
“These changes have meant that BDRA has been a little rudderless, and the organisation has incurred a rapidly growing cost structure that was not sustainable.”
However, BDR spokesman Richard Brown says they will still run the same events across the country.
“We are restructuring so that we can come back bigger and better,” he says.
“Previously there have been planning issues and communication issues.
“We are taking this as an opportunity to come up with better ways to plan, coordinate, and communicate.”
Here is the full text of the BDRA email.
Changes to Black Dog Ride Australia
Firstly, we wanted to acknowledge the range of reactions to the news that Fiona Duffield is no longer a paid employee of Black Dog Ride Australia (BDRA). We also acknowledge that our initial statement gave limited information, though we emphasis the statement was to ensure the community were informed of this change from BDRA and not indirectly through other sources.
We also acknowledge there was no statement on Erin Hope’s departure who after a short tenure is also no longer a paid employee of BDRA. Our statement was not meant to give an overview of staff member changes rather it was to let everyone know of the significant change surrounding Fiona as a long-standing member of the team.
As many of you will be all too aware, since the retirement of our founder Steve Andrews, BDRA has been in a state of flux, we have had 3 CEO’s, 3 Acting Chairs and several changes to our board members. These changes have meant that BDRA has been a little rudderless, and the organisation has incurred a rapidly growing cost structure that was not sustainable.
In fact, as of the start of May this year we were incurring approximately $22,000 per month in fixed operating costs (approximately $264,000 per annum). Of that, approximately $15,900 per month was going to wages and office rental costs combined (approximately $195,000 per annum).
At that level of expenditure, and assuming the Around Australia Ride and state rides hit their budget, we only had enough funds in the `operating’ account to run BDRA for 5 to maybe 7 months.
We do also have an entirely separate `gift’ account for the collection of donations and charitable fundraising dollars. As a registered charity organisation we are required to operate this separate fund which is primarily to be used to return funds to the community to support mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. The gift account can and will be used to distribute funds to deserving initiatives through our new community grants funding model. More news on that later in this newsletter.
However, with limited operating funds available, we took the difficult decision to make Fiona Duffield and Erin Hope redundant in line with the provisions of their award. This is never a good situation and this was not a decision we took lightly.
Redundancy arrangements were formulated in consultation with a Perth based Human resources consultancy. It is not appropriate for us to disclose details that are of a private nature (private to Fiona and Erin). But what we can say is that on the day (Tuesday 14th May) we had Richard Brown attend to represent Black Dog Ride together with the Human resources consultant, a Social Worker for employee support, an IT consultant to start working on IT changes, and a security guard to provide access for transport companies quoting on relocating merchandise and equipment.
Beyond the reduction in salaries and rental costs we are also reviewing the ongoing costs around bookkeeping, insurances etc.. We are also looking at the costs within the Around Australia Ride budget and areas this can be reduced/maximised.
Further on in this newsletter we will outline what operational changes we are implementing within BDRA and talk a little about the plan moving forward. Though we want to highlight here that prior to recent years BDRA has run a very lean operation, calling very much on the knowledge, skills and expertise of its volunteer community and we will be looking to get back there, as we should being a charity organisation.
It may not be apparent from the outside, but there has been a lot of work going on over the past 3 to 4 months with the new board in place. We could all start to debate who caused the problems we’re now working our way out of, but we have decided that would only take us away from the critical list of jobs we need to complete to get us to where we want to be.
Beyond the AAR, State Rides and 1-dayers we are also working on revenue raising initiatives that if successful will be announced over time. Also, with the strengthening undertaken over the last 3 to 4 months on our Corporate Governance structure we are almost in a place where we can start formally applying to corporate foundations for regular grants.
We stress however, that any business initiative does not happen overnight, and we will need 6 to 12 months to really get things back on track.
Lastly, though definitely not the least, BDRA is you – our community. We hope you will stand by us as we work towards a stable and growing organisation that is really making a difference.
Sincerely, BDRA Acting Chair, Jo-Anne Harrison
Operational Plan – The Next 12 Months
There are many things we could talk about as far as our current list of things to do. It will take some work for us to get where we want to go, and things won’t be perfect for a while, but here’s a brief overview of what we have planned in the short term.
Staffing
For the next 12 months (or less) Black Dog Ride Australia will operate with a Manager (at .5FTE) and two Administration Officers (both at .6FTE). Richard Brown will act as the business Manager, paid at a rate of $42.50 per hour on a 12 month contract. The two Administration Officers will be paid at a rate of up to (depending on experience) $33.06 per hour on a 12 month contract. A special government wage subsidy will apply to the two administration employees, which will greatly reduce our wage costs. With this arrangement in place the total salary cost to the organisation for the 1.7FTE will be budgeted at $5375 per month, or $64500 per year.
Office location
It is our intention to either sub-let or surrender the Perth office. The current managing real estate agent in Perth is being quite helpful with this process, so we are hopeful that monthly rental costs for the property can be minimised within the next two months.
We do not intend to establish a dedicated Black dog ride office during the coming 12 month period. As an interim measure the 1.7FTE staff will share an office area which has been provided to us for $500 per month, $6000 per year.
Short-term goals
Critical objectives for the next 12 months include, but are not limited to,:
Keeping Black Dog Ride operating – this should go without saying.
Seek opportunities to simplify operations, streamline processes and reduce costs. For example, Black Dog Ride merchandise is costly because it is labour-intensive and it ties up money in slow-moving stock. It will be necessary to reconsider what merchandise items we continue to stock, and the way we handle our merchandise across the country.
Seek opportunities to increase our revenue. We are currently working on obtaining corporate sponsorships and government funding, but these funding avenues generally take a long time to come to fruition, so we may not see a great deal of revenue through these sources within the next 12 months. We are also working on opening a Black Dog Ride membership program which is something we should do anyway, but may also provide the organisation with a little extra revenue.
Develop more effective ways to communicate with our volunteers and Black Dog Ride community. We are working on a few ideas at the moment that we hope to trial over the coming months.
Plan and coordinate long-distance rides and 1 Dayers, allowing long planning lead-times.
Facilitate disbursement of donated funds. A long long awaited community funding model should be released very soon. We’ll talk about this a bit more later in the newsletter.
Expand Black Dog Ride. We would like to establish new 1 Dayers across the country, and will consider the viability of adding some new activities to the calendar.
If you’d like to contact Richard he can be reached via email at [email protected]
Key stakeholders of Black Dog Ride have previously met for strategic planning sessions during 2017 and 2018. The result of those meetings was an initial rough draft three-year strategic plan.
A project specific board sub-committee was formed on 5th February 2019 to review and amend the draft strategic plan for adoption by the board as soon as possible. This committee was made up of Rachel Carter, David Lovell and Richard Brown, and was also tasked with making recommendations on the future structure of BDRA, and the future recruitment of a new CEO/General Manager/Business Manager.
Members of the project specific strategic planning committee have undertaken a significant reformatting and revision of the draft strategic plan over the past three months. The committee has also formed the opinion that this strategic plan should be adopted as a five-year plan, reviewed and adjusted annually.
Please take a good look at our new strategic plan. This plan will be put into a more presentable form with some new graphics and published on our new website which is due to be launched in July – more on our website later.
Please feel free to e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions, concerns or feedback on this plan.
The community Grants funding model was proposed over 18 months ago. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, not a great deal of work had been done on this until early this year. Between January and now Michael Young has put in a lot of work drafting a proposed new community Grants funding model, application form, and decision criteria with some input from Jo-Anne Harrison and Richard Brown.
We know this has been talked about for a long time now, but we really are getting very close to being able to launch this new initiative. Although our operating funds are low, we do have money in our “gift fund” account to provide to local community initiatives. Please stay tuned.
New website
In December 2018 the board commissioned the development of a new website by Perth-based Millstream, a long-time supporter of Black Dog Ride. Millstream have been working on our new website ever since and we are hopeful the new site will be ready to go active in July this year.
This new website will give a fresh new look and work better on handheld devices (phones etc.). We also expect this to be much easier for us to update (as the old one was complicated).
