Tyler Redway
EX-Australian Greens Member for Barker Rosa Hillam has landed a new role as the regional ‘1 Dayer Black Dog Ride’ coordinator for the Limestone Coast and Mallee regions for 2023.
Ms Hillam said she decided to step away from the Greens party after nearly seven years because she wanted a break from the field of politics and wanted to provide an independent voice.
She also said she always wanted to be a part of the Black Dog Riders, a national charity which raises awareness of depression and suicide prevention, as she had previously been an advocate for mental health and a founder of the Conversations Matter Lakes Suicide Prevention Network in the Coorong.
She also revealed what inspired her to take part in the organisation’s cause in the first place.
“I had the privilege of doing the Black Dog Ride to the [central Northern Territory] Red Centre in 2021 and was very impressed by both the ride the riders and the Organisation and felt it was something that I could be a productive part of,” she said.
“In my role as regional coordinator it is my job to plan all the events in my region, mapping rides, meeting with organisations, fundraising talking to people about depression and suicide prevention to break down stigma and letting people know it is perfectly okay to not be okay.”
She said the Black Dog Riders usually hold a yearly national ride where all states join up to ride together in August, with the location over the last few years being the Red Centre.
“The last few have been to the red centre, next years is in progress now and will be a different destination,” she said.
Ms Hillam also said there were plans to bring the ‘1 Dayer’ event to the Limestone Coast in March of 2023.
The ride is planned to begin in Naracoorte and can be booked on the Black Dog Ride website.
