Wheels keep rolling for mental health

February’s 2 Wheels to Wagin raised over $19,000 for mental health organisations as 271 motorcycle riders embarked from Perth for the annual two-wheeled pilgrimage to Wagin.

After leaving from Kewdale in the city, the convoy of riders stopped off in Henderson, Dwellingup and Quindanning before arriving at the Palace Hotel, where they showed off their wheels in a show and shine, had a dice-roll competition and gave mental health speeches.

A $5000 cheque was presented to Storn Petterson, a Wheatbelt hero who will travel anywhere and everywhere for blokes struggling with their mental health.

Regional Men’s Health Initiative’s Terry Melrose, a keynote speaker at 2 Wheels to Wagin, described the importance of the event.

“I acknowledged the 2 Wheels to Wagin group for two things — one, the funds that they raise, which is really important,” he said.

“But what I think is even more important is the awareness they raise. They help enable people to have a conversation, they get people together doing what they love, and whatever we do, whether it’s sport, cars or motorbikes, we have to invest in our passions.”

Mr Melrose said money donated to the Regional Men’s Health Initiative would be invested in mental health strategies in regional WA.

“Money donated to us goes into a separate fund, it doesn’t pay my wage or operating costs, it goes into a community grants access fund,” he said.

“One example is we fund the “talk to a mate” round in WA country footy.”