BLACK DOG RIDE - VIC 2016
"The Milk Run"

October 23rd - 29th

Black Dog Ride VIC 2016 Milk Run Logo Departing from Bendigo, join Black Dog Ride on our "Milk Run" as we ride to all the heartlands of dairy country in support of our dairy farmers and their communities. This will put the spotlight not only on mental health awareness and suicide prevention but how financial pressure can create higher levels of risk for mental illness.

As a fun part of our ride we are asking riders to get involved with the spirit of this ride by wearing a friesian cow onesie (easily available on eBay). Not only will this make us stand out on the highways but it will also attract a lot of media attention. Obviously dressing as a cow is not obligatory, but we would love to see you joining in the fun.

Registrations close 23rd September. Don't miss out!


Fundraising and Awareness Activities

Black Dog Ride Proudly Supporting Mental Health First Aid AustraliaBlack Dog Ride Proudly Supporting Lifeline AustraliaBlack Dog Ride is fundraising to continue our support of Lifeline Australia's Online Crisis Support chat service, and continue funding MHFA Australia's teen MHFA training in Australian High Schools.

Black Dog Ride's fundraising has doubled the hours of operation of Lifeline's Online Crisis Support chat service, and has already funded the training of over 700 Australian youth in teen MHFA.

You can help us continue to provide vital mental health support to the community by opening a fundraising page, and organising community fundraising activities.

Click here: http://www.blackdogride.com.au/fundraising2016 to get started!


Registration Information

Black Dog Ride uses Eventbrite for online registrations. You will need a credit or debit card to complete registration. If you don't have one, you can get a pre-paid one from Australia Post here.

You will need your bike registration (plate) number and next of kin name and contact number to complete registration. This is for safety purposes whilst on the ride so we can assist you in case of accident or emergency. Please do not use your pillion or visa versa as a next of kin contact. Use the details of a trusted person whom we can contact should you require assistance on the ride. We also need your date of birth for emergency services/hospitals in case of accident or illness on the ride. We need your shipping address to send out your Rider's Kit before the ride.

Please note - in order to participate in the full ride, you must join at the start. This is very important for reasons of safety and ride dynamics. No-one will be permitted to join the ride at any other point along the route unless they are registered as a Night Rider.

Register for the full VIC 2016 ride here: https://blackdogridevic2016.eventbrite.com.au

Register for up to 3 days on the VIC 2016 ride here: https://bdrvic2016nightriders.eventbrite.com.au

Registrations close 23rd September 2016


Ride FAQs

We receive a number of frequently asked questions about the ride and have collated them here: http://www.blackdogride.com.au/states2016faqs for your easy reference. Please read them before contacting your volunteer Ride Coordinator.


Coordinator Information

Coordinator: Ric Raftis
Email: vic@blackdogride.com.au
Mobile: 0407 412 100


Ride Flyers

Below are three types of flyers/poster for your download - General Flyers with ride info to share across social media and forums; flyers for communities to use to let people know Black Dog Ride is coming to town; personal rider flyers for sharing in workplaces, clubs etc. We've provided low-res JPEG and hi-res PDF for your convenience.

VIC 2016 General Flyers

Black Dog Ride VIC 2016 Milk Run Flyer ThumbnailFor sharing across social media and forums

Download low-res JPEG HERE

Download hi-res PDF HERE

VIC 2016 Community Flyers

For sharing in communities we'll be visiting

Download low-res JPEG HERE

Download hi-res PDF HERE

VIC 2016 Rider Flyers

For sharing in your workplace or club

Download low-res JPEG HERE

Download hi-res PDF HERE


Ride Itinerary

Bendigo to Shepparton - 2063kms

Black Dog Ride - VIC 2016 Itinerary v1Black Dog Riders begin to arrive in Bendigo on Saturday 22nd October. A social night will be held at venue to be arranged.

Below are the departure and destination points for each day of the ride. As more planning is completed, detail on each day's activities plus accomodation venues will be updated here and you will be kept informed by your Ride Coordinator.

Click on the map to view the itinerary of the VIC Milk Run on Google Maps.

Ride Day 1

Sunday 23rd October
Bendigo to Swan Hill - 217kms

Departing from the Chinese Precinct in Bendigo. Corner Park Road and Farmer Lane.
7.00am Mental health info, bacon/egg rolls, hot coffee with Lisa Chesters, MHR for Bendigo
9.00am Depart for Dingee
9.50am Morning tea with Dingee Bush Nursing Centre Auxillary at park near railway station
10.45am Depart Dingee for Cohuna
11.45am Arrive in Cohuna for community lunch with local Lions and Guest Speaker Di Bowles, a local dairy farmer. Event organised by the Shire of Gannawarra.
2.00pm Depart for Swan Hill
3.15pm Arrive in Swan Hill, refuel, settle into accomodation
Dinner: Lake Boga Lions are preparing dinner and there will be a campfire at the Pioneer Settlement.

Accommodation: Contact Thomas Buscheinen e: tombus99@hotmail.com

Ride Day 2

Monday 24th October
Swan Hill to Halls Gap - 250kms

8.00am DIY breakfast and refuel
10.30am Depart Swan Hill for Charlton
12.00pm Lunch in Charlton
1.30pm Depart Charlton for Wedderburn
3.00pm Depart Wedderburn for Halls Gap via St Arnaud
5.00pm Arrive Halls Gap, refuel, settle into accomodation
Dinner: DIY dinner in town, across road from caravan park

Accommodation 1: Halls Gap Caravan Park, Corner School Road and Grampians Road
Phone: Marilyn or Clarice (03) 5356 4251 Email: info@hallsgapcaravanpark.com.au
Website: http://hallsgapcaravanpark.com.au/

Ride Day 3

Tuesday 25th October
Halls Gap to Warrnambool - 300kms

Breakfast in town before leaving.
Ride to be led by Neil Wiltshire who has organised visits to dairies on the day.
Morning tea at Bessiebelle.
Lunch at Koroit and possible tour of Murray Goulburn Factory and a lunch.
Ride 5km to Crossley to watch an afternoon milking
Ride into Warrnambool to Callaghan Holden to say a hello to BDR Sponsors
Settle into accommodation.
Dinner will be at the Flying Horse Hotel with dairy farmers. Their meals will be sponsored.
Free courtesy bus to and from venue.

Accommodation 1: Figtree Holiday Village, 33 Lava St, Warrnambool VIC 3280
Phone: Ann (03) 5561 1233 Email: reservations@figtreepark.com
Website: http://www.figtreepark.com/

Ride Day 4

Wednesday 26th October
Warrnambool to Frankston - 225kms

9.00am Depart Warrnambool
10.45am Brief stop at Lavers Hill
11.30am Arrive at Colac for lunch with Lions
1.30pm Depart Colac for Queenscliff
3.30pm Arrive at Ferry Depot to check in
4.00pm Catch Ferry to Sorrento.
4.45pm Disembark and travel to Frankston to accommodation.
Dinner: Frankston Lions Club is hosting our evening meal.

All ferry bookings will be handled by Thomas Buscheinen: tombus99@hotmail.com

Accommodation: BIG4 Mornington Peninsula Holiday Park, 2 Robinson Road, Frankston
Phone: Paula (03) 5971 2333 Email: info@big4mphp.com.au
Website: http://big4mphp.com.au/

Ride Day 5

Thursday 27th October
Frankston to Bairnsdale - 340kms

7.00am Depart Frankston for breakfast at Tooradin
7.30am Breakfast at Tooradin
8.30am Depart Tooradin for Korumburra
9.30am Arrive at Korumburra for morning tea with the Lions
10.30am Depart for Foster
11.30am Informal lunch in Foster, own arrangements.
1.00pm Depart Foster and head to Bairnsdale
3.15pm Police escort into Bairnsdale.
3.30pm Arrive in Bairnsdale, refuel, settle into accomodation
Dinner: At the Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House, 27 Dalmahoy St, Bairnsdale.
Cost is $10 and balance subsidised by Ian McKenzie of the Big Garage in Bairnsdale.

Accommodation: BIG4 Bairnsdale Holiday Park, 139 Princess Highway, Bairnsdale
Phone: Janis (03) 5152 4066 Email: b4bdale@bigpond.net.au
Website: http://www.bairnsdaleholidaypark.com/

Ride Day 6

Friday 28th October
Bairnsdale to Wodonga - 300kms

7.00am Breakfast and fuel up
8.45am Depart for Omeo
10.30am Arrive in Omeo for refuel and refreshment break
11.00am Depart Omeo for Mitta Mitta
1.45pm Arrive in Mitta Mitta for lunch, own arrangements
3.00pm Depart Mitta Mitta for Wodonga
4.15pm Arrive in Wodonga, refuel, settle into accomodation
Dinner: Own arrangements in town

Accommodation: Wodonga Caravan & Cabin Park, 186 Melbourne Road, Wodonga
Phone: Clare or John (02) 6024 2598 Email: stay@wccp.com.au
Website: http://www.wccp.com.au/

Ride Day 7

Saturday 29th October
Wodonga to Shepparton - 328kms

6.45am Assemble for group ride led by Jim Redmond
7.00am Arrive at Breakfast hosted by Suicide Prevention Albury/Wodonga
9.00am Depart for Strathmerton
10.45am Arrive for morning tea hosted by Strathmerton, Barooga and Numurkah Lions Clubs
11.30am Depart Strathmerton for Echuca
12.45pm Arrive in Echuca for lunch with Lions
2.00pm Depart and travel through Kyabram and Tatura
3.00pm Regroup in Mooroopna for ride across the causeway into Shepparton
3.15pm Arrive at Overlander Hotel/Motel, settle into accomodation
Dinner: Milk Run Ride Finale Banquet with Guest of Honour - Victorian Dairy Farmers! Up to 50 dairy farmers will enjoy a free meal with Black Dog Riders and great night out thanks to the generous sponsorship of Goulburn Murray Credit Union. Special guest speakers will be in attendance and mental health info available during the evening.

Accommodation 1: Overlander Hotel, 97 Benalla Rd, Shepparton
Phone: (03) 5822 0404
Website: http://www.discovershepparton.com.au/accom_result1/overlander-hotel-motel/

Accommodation 2: Strayleaves Caravan Park, Old Dookie Rd & Mitchell St, Shepparton
Phone: (03) 5821 1232 Email: http://www.strayleavescaravanpark.com.au/contact.php
Website: http://www.strayleavescaravanpark.com.au/

Sunday 30th October

The organised part of VIC 2016 is now finished! You are free to stay on, tour the region, head home or continue travelling.

Thanks again for your support and commitment on this great two wheeled suicide prevention project!