Probus and Black Dog Ride Together

The recent announcement of a collaboration between Probus and Black Dog Ride has been received with excitement.

In a great show of support, Black Dog Ride appreciate that Probus Club members are social, active, and engaged. These benefits keep retirees both mentally and physically healthier. In recognising this, Black Dog Ride are working with Probus to bring even more retirees into local Probus Clubs, so that they too can be socially engaged and active retirees.

The commitment from Black Dog Ride is an endorsement of the amazing benefits of joining a Probus Club knowing that this dramatically reduces the risks of social isolation.

During the pandemic, the world was learning how to stay connected; proudly, many Probus Clubs found inventive and innovative ways to stay in touch and keep active with their Probus friends As lockdowns eased and we became free to gather again, Probus Clubs rejoiced!

The last year has seen Clubs introduce a surge of new activities and interest groups, happy to once again be able to enjoy these activities. Clubs have embraced new sports like bowling, bowls, bocce and croquet, with so many Clubs now enjoying monthly sporting competitions – all in the name of good fun, of course.

Most Clubs participate in weekly walking groups, with more ambitious groups like mountain biking, hiking, e-biking, kayaking and swimming starting to pop up in some Clubs. There are more coffee and book groups getting back into local cafes, and Clubs venturing out to try new and different restaurants in their communities.

Travel has well and truly opened back up, and it seems like domestic travel is popular, with so many Clubs opting to explore our beautiful, sunburnt country and surrounding islands and some also venturing overseas.

Probus members have reported that, even with all these amazing activities filling up their calendars, the best thing about being part of a Probus Club is the amazing, lifelong friendships they have made. Being able to participate in these varied endeavours with like-minded Probus friends, it seems only natural that belonging to a Probus Club would leave you not only busier, but also happier and healthier!

This is what Black Dog Ride and Probus want for more retirees across the country: to stay engaged in their communities and take adventures with their likeminded Probus friends. Black Dog Ride have always placed emphasis on engagement. In fact, travelling around the country and creating involvement within communities in every state is one of the pillars of their first ride.

With Black Dog Ride collaborating with Probus to introduce more retirees to an active, happier retirement, we thought it was only fair to introduce Black Dog Ride to our Active Retirees.

About Black Dog Ride

In 2008, Black Dog Ride Founder, Steve Andrews, witnessed two close friends’ families rocked by depression. In both cases, he felt shocked as he had no idea it was happening. These friends were suffering in silence.

In 2009 Steve embarked on the inaugural Black Dog Ride: a loud and proud rebellion to bring light to a war waged in silence. He rode 15,000 km from Busselton, WA around Australia for mental health awareness. Although the primary function of the Ride was – and still is – to start a conversation, people were very willing to donate funds to the cause. Soon after, Black Dog Ride was formed. Funds raised now go towards resources and programs to help people with depression, the primary goal remains to raise awareness of a disease that spreads silently.

On the 3rd Sunday of March each year, rides take place in each state of the country to involve communities, start conversations and bring awareness to depression and suicide prevention. These one-day rides are the primary activity of the organisation: The One-Dayers.

These rides support the mission of Black Dog Ride by:

• Engaging and collaborating with local communities Australia-wide

• Raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention in communities involved with the rides

• Building important social links for riders, community members, and community groups

• Linking riders and community groups to mental health support services

• Building the capacity of Black Dog Ride volunteers around Australia

• Supporting local business and community groups

• Raising vital funds for mental health services.

Why the “black dog”?

The symbol of the black dog is one synonymous with depression. Winston Churchill coined the term “black dog” to describe his struggle with mental health issues: like a faithful companion, sometimes out of sight, but never far away.

When Steve Andrews completed his first ride around Australia, he took with him a black dog named Winston.

Winston is still the organisation mascot and has been used to break the ice and start conversations about mental health for over a decade now.

When looking for a clear way to represent what the organisation is about, it had to be the black dog Winston on a motorcycle.

What brought Black Dog Ride and Probus together?

Since the Covid-19 pandemic first surfaced in 2020, “social isolation” – although playing a role in fighting Covid – has had a negative impact on the mental health of our nation. Retirees were particularly affected. Older Australians were more susceptible to the virus PLUS they had the added disadvantage of their social lives being classified as nonessential.

While working Australians had contact with colleagues and employers (in offices or working remotely,) and people at low-risk were encouraged to step out in order to do grocery shopping and buy necessities, older Australians were told to isolate themselves as much as possible. This isolation manifested in ways that affected the mental health of many people.

In 2023, the ripples of this are still being felt. The older demographic who are not socially engaged are still at increased risk of loneliness and depression.

But do you know what portions of the retired population have markedly lower risk of loneliness and poor mental health? Retirees who have remained socially active, engaged, and have continued to contribute to their communities. All things Probus members are!

Black Dog Ride have recognised how socially connected Probus members are, and the positive results on the mental health this has, and they have pledged to help PSPL attract more new members into the Fun and Friendship of Probus!

With their help, Probus has expanded its marketing ventures to introduce even more retirees to a life enriched by new friends, enlivened by interesting meetings and fascinating guest speakers and invigorated by exciting trips and outings.