Suicide Prevention Awareness Network - Central Victoria

Suicide Prevention Awareness Network - Central Victoria Without the commitment and dedication of these organisations, businesses and individuals the annual walk could not happen.

The Suicide Prevention Awareness Network - Central Victoria group is made up of volunteers committed to holding an annual Bendigo awareness walk each March and working to increase community education around suicide and mental health. The Suicide Prevention Awareness Network - Central Victoria group was formed to plan and host an annual walk through the streets of Bendigo each March for people impacted by suicide and the community to support them. The concept of the walk is to raise community awareness of suicide and give those who have lost a loved one, friend or work colleague a chance to honour and remember them. The SPAN Central Victoria group is made up of volunteers from organisations, businesses and individuals in Bendigo dedicated to raising awareness about suicide. Organisations involved include the City of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Advertiser, Bendigo Community Health Services, Lifeline Loddon Mallee, StandBy, Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, Victoria Police, Dewar Audio Systems,
GriefWork, Ride 4 Life, Country Women's Association.

R U OK? Day 2026 is Thursday, 10 September 2026, serving as Australia's national day of action to remind people to conne...
10/09/2026

R U OK? Day 2026 is Thursday, 10 September 2026, serving as Australia's national day of action to remind people to connect and ask "Are you OK?"

September is Su***de Prevention Month in Australia, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and sharing ...
07/09/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month in Australia, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and sharing support.

Get Immediate Support.

If you or someone you know needs help, support is available 24/7
Lifeline: Call 13 11 14
Su***de Call Back Service: Call 1300 659 467.

13YARN: Call 13 92 76 (crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636.

What a fabulous turn up for the last hour of the 24 hour walking event around Lake Weeroona.Words taken from Walk and Ta...
19/04/2026

What a fabulous turn up for the last hour of the 24 hour walking event around Lake Weeroona.

Words taken from Walk and Talk Bendigo organiser Tim McKern.

What an incredible 24 hours.

Still trying to process it all and catch up on everything, but we just wanted to say how grateful we are for everyone who showed up, supported, donated, and got around it.

We’ll be catching up on messages over the next few days but for now we’ll be at the Belmont having a few celebratory beers

If you still want to support, the Gofundme is still open. You can donate below 👇

https://www.gofundme.com/f/walk-talk-24-hours-for-mental-health

The Walk and Talk Bendigo event has begun.There are 23 teams walking either in relay or some legends are aiming for the ...
18/04/2026

The Walk and Talk Bendigo event has begun.
There are 23 teams walking either in relay or some legends are aiming for the whole 24 hours.

Mayor Thomas Prince’s opening speech was an engaging reminder to take notice when greeting people.

“Hi how are ? “ can be a quick “I’m fine” or it can be an honest answer where the listener is open to support if that answer is “ I’m really struggling “.

Be someone who listens .

Tim McKern spoke about knowing the next 24 hours will have some really tough moments along with the highs.
Like any mental health crisis these low moments can pass especially when you are supported by others.

Come down to Lake Weeroona and show that support, walk a few laps or just encourage those who are walking.

This year at the SPAN Walk we had our very first Youth Ute Show. 🛻🛻🛻🛻Special mention to Jett-Boort Ute Show and Patrick-...
07/04/2026

This year at the SPAN Walk we had our very first Youth Ute Show. 🛻🛻🛻🛻

Special mention to Jett-Boort Ute Show and Patrick-2025 winner of the Heart and Sole category at Boort Ute show for making the event possible. 🙏🙌👏👏

The Boort Ute show was inspiration for Patrick to come up with the idea for the very first SPAN Youth Ute Show, and what a show it was. 😎😎

We had young people from all over central Victoria travel to attend the Ute show with a special dedication to their mate Brock who won the people’s choice award at Boort Ute show 2025-who sadly passed away recently. Thank you to Brocks Mum and Brother for showing Brock’s beloved Ute. ❤️❤️❤️

Special thanks to our Mayor of Bendigo Cr Mayor Thomas Prince who addressed the participants about how important youth engagement is in our community and how they will help to shape the future.
He spoke about exposing himself to vulnerability, studying psychology and showing young people it’s ok to ask for help. It was heartwarming for Thomas see so many young people show up and support the significant event in the heart of our community.

When you give young people an opportunity to share their passion, it is amazing to see the connection and support they provide each other in their own unique way. 🙏🙏

We met some incredible young people who travelled from far and wide to support the message of hope and reaching out for support when you need to. 💙💙💙
Congratulations to Patrick and Jett for your amazing efforts in bringing everyone together to start the conversation. Its ok not to be ok. 🙌👐🫶

Congratulations Cody on receiving the “Heart and Sole’ award, your passion and commitment from the age of 6 is truly inspirational. Special recognition to your parents for being so supportive. 🚙🚙🚙

Cody’s Cracking Ute journey.
My Holden HX mixed with a HG when I got it. It was just sitting in a paddock. I was 6 years old when I got the HQ, dad paid for it then I got the Holden HX later on. By 13 years old I was working for my parents to get money and kept putting it back into the Holden.
I stripped both cars down and made one car out of it. I then fixed all the rust and got it painted. It has a 308 with a turbo 350 gearbox, extractors, hot dog mufflers and big tips.
The tray was custom built by my dad and he made it from scratch. My Dad helped me with the whole car but he made me do a lot of the work so I understood how cars work and learned about my own car.
Thank you to everyone for your support on the day.

Each year we walk together for the SPAN Walk as our community comes together to walk for healing and hope. 🦋🙏🦋Everyone w...
07/04/2026

Each year we walk together for the SPAN Walk as our community comes together to walk for healing and hope. 🦋🙏🦋
Everyone who shows up to support the event have their own significant reason to attend. We love how our community comes together as one to support each other. 🙌🫶🙌

It was wonderful to have Jed Zimmer as our guest speaker this year to share his story of courage and strength. 💙🙏

Well done to Dave and Stu from Dewars who show up each year to provide specialist sound equipment for Mez and the wonderful entertainment. 🎵🎤🎼🎶

Great work from Rachel and Emma from Standby support after su***de and Julie and Lisa from Lifeline Loddon Mallee who through connections and support bring our community together. 💙💙💙

It was amazing to see Lucas, Kaleb and the team from Bendigo Fight Centre show their appreciation to the SPAN committee, by attending on the day and providing our community with a different option to support your mental health and wellbeing through physical fitness. 🤸‍♀️🤸🤸‍♂️🏋️‍♀️

We appreciate the support from Amanda and the students from Catherine McAuley College Bendigo who show their support each year to assist with the walk. 👫👭🧍‍♂️🧍🧍‍♀️

Congratulations to Dean McKay-Chair of SPAN for your significant contribution to the committee and our community.
***de

Get behind this event.A simple concept to walk and talk each fortnight has grown to this 24 hour event to raise awarenes...
07/04/2026

Get behind this event.
A simple concept to walk and talk each fortnight has grown to this 24 hour event to raise awareness of su***de prevention and encourage us all to check up on your people.

Thanks for your support on the day.
07/04/2026

Thanks for your support on the day.

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Bendigo, VIC

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