Help me create a mentally healthier world for everyone!
Hi my name's Rory,
I'm 26 years old from the Sunshine Coast Queensland but have recently been on a journey traveling around.
I have struggled with mental health, depression, anxiety and the feeling of just being lost to the world, for some time now. But now, over the last year now I have been growing in strength mentally and physically with the help of my friends, family and myself.
I previously took the path of using drugs and alcohol to mask and push down feelings but realised that all these do is send you deeper and deeper into your black hole. Covid has added to all the pressures, from interrupted travels, employment and no housing. Everyone who loves me and myself, has lived the destructive roller coaster of a ride I have been on. It took me nearly losing my own life in an accident to shock me and deeply motivate me to find out that there are different paths to defeating this state of mind and realising that there is so much more to life. Life can be beautiful and full of opportunities and possibilities. It is also full of challenges, I know. I'm learning to have a turn it around mind, not thinking about the things going wrong as just crap and aimed at stopping me from doing and achieving, but turning them into real positives or even just LETTING IT GO!
You can do anything you want in life, is how I feel now. The only person stopping you, is yourself. So, I thought I'd model just a bit of this. I know I'm at the right time in my life.I've found, as soon as you believe that you can do something, you will. There'll just probably be a few roadblocks and diversions along the way. I want to show that, that is ok. The true challenge is dealing with them with positivity and keeping going.
This is why I am doing this ride from Perth WA back home to the Sunshine Coast QLD, because I can. I don't want people to have to go through an accident like mine to realise that there are different paths to tackle life's challenges and that there are so many people out there that are willing to help you.
I'm standing up to join Team Black Dog to turn ground breaking research into life saving action.
Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Australians every year, with the most common being depression and anxiety. It is not surprising is it, considering the world we live in? Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life — individuals, families, workplaces and communities.
My trip is self-funded. But what I want to do is raise money and awareness of mental health for Black Dog. Please donate today!
Thank you to my Sponsors
$2.2k
Esther, Scotty & The Pocket Team
$52.75
Wayne John Prendergast
Hi Rory. We met you at Emmdale Roadhouse camping out the back. Hope you made it home safely and take care.
$52.75
Anonymous
$52.75
Jonathon Martlew
Great to chat this morning. Amazing effort
$105.50
Eli & Lucia
Huge effort buddy. Massive achievement and great cause. Congrats.
$105.50
Geoffrey Coleman
Congratulations Rory. A stand worth taking.
$21.10
Jacqueline Hardy
Hi Rory this is a fantastic journey and so happy to have the best coffee this morning x
$52.75
Lochie Ross
$52.75
Hugh & Charlie Powell
$105.50
Kate Broadbent
A mental health awareness requirement that is close to my heart with my son and a number of his mates struggling
$31.65
Leslie And Pete Jones
Woo hoo!
$31.35
Emily Rhodes
$105.50
Belinda Jones
$31.65
Heather T
Pedal on, Rory! What an amazing task for an important issue. ❤️❤️
$125
Mamma And Grandad Collishaw
So proud of you Rory, lots of love Mamma and Grandad xxxx
$52.75
Jim
Great to see you this morning.
$211
Rachel Nolan
Great to meet you today, Rory. All the best to you. Rachel.
$351
Dirranbandi Camp Ground
$401
Michael Kramer
Rock on rory. !!! See ya soon.
$52
Becker Building
Well done Rory, great cause 👏
$32.25
Morgan
honestly there’s no words, you are just incredible!! Amazing seeing so much dedication & discipline 👏🏻👏🏻
$30.30
Chloe
with all the love
$4.16
Avyameline
$157.50
Wade Carney
Ytb atb gtd
$31.50
Dee
Hey Rory, awesome work, safe travels back home Cheers Dee
$208
Sauvage Family
Your an inspiration mate. Such a great cause. Keen to welcome you home. From the Sauvage’s
$2.02k
Nuffin Butta, Pity Vincent, Kicked In Bickie Tin, Catching Salmon, Treehouse, Redwood Scoundrel, Chamber Lane, Dylan Crowe, Max Bryant
Hey brother On behalf of everyone from the Moffat Beach Backyard Gig, we would like to thank you and we’re sending our best wishes for the rest of your journey. It was a cracker night and everyone who donated was very generous, wish you could’ve been there! Keep spreading the good shit
$52.50
Rising Sun Hotel
$52
Port Wakefield Caravan Park
$50.50
Zach Camilleri
Top work brother! Much love and respect 🙏
$208
Wirrulla Hotel
Fantastic effort Rory, you are doing it for a great cause
$105
Gordana Russell
Well done mate ! Great achievement 👏👏
$20.80
Alkira Mullenger
Well done! Was great to meet you at half way to WA/ half way to SA Keep up the hard work! You are doing great things
$52.50
Ben O’donnell
Met Rory at the wa border. Inspirational stuff
$52
Christie Corbould
Awesome effort Rory!
$40.95
Di Collishaw - Mum
Wednesday 12th April 2023 Rory - 195km in a day from Norseman to Balladonia Roadhouse is an achievement in itself. Thank you to all the people you’ve met along the way and have chatted with you about mental health. Huge thanks for those that have shouted you a much needed meal or bed for the night. Keep going Rory😀
$21
Anonymous
$210
Angus Booker
Bloody legend!! 💪💪 I so admire your grit.. good luck!!
$104
Jack Goyder
Up the roz dog. Stay strong and bring it home brother. Lessgo.
$105
Brayden
Thanks for the drink. Good luck with the ride.
$52.50
Anonymous
$52.50
Paige
$31.50
Lily Jenkins
$30
Madeline Kim
Go Rory!
$4.02k
Anonymous
$21
Max Quirk
$52.50
Susan Skermer
Good Luck Rory what an achievement and great thing you are doing!
$52.50
Mikahla Ryan
You got this my friend! I’ll be ready to celebrate with on your return to Moffs! Xo
$10.20
James Rhodes
$10.50
Annabel
Yewwww. Doing the most Rory!
$10.40
Brianna Niebling
Such an amazing mission, Rory! Thank you for bringing awareness to such a deeply important cause 💛
$105
Molly Dawson
Goodluck !!! Have fun xo
$31.50
Logan Jones
On ya Rory. From Chris
$5.25
Samantha Rodgers
$52.50
Chris Mccloskey
$20.80
Tayla Collins
$21
Anonymous
$520
Diamondport Jewellers
Go well
$52.50
Jessica
Excited to see you crush it!
$50
Milly
Good luck😊
$515
Dennis Navan
We are good friends of Kev and I’m a passionate cyclist. Well done for what you are doing and good luck.
$52.50
Bianca Brown
You got this! See you on the other side for a wave 🙂
$52.50
Anonymous
Great cause and great way to make a difference, shows alot of strength! Good luck on your Journey.
$26.25
Laura Wasmer
i’ve heard a bit about your struggles last year through mitch and although we haven’t met, i’m rooting for you and happy to hear you’re turning things around for the better. best of luck & have fun!
$105
George Warrener
$21
Jordon Kelly
$52.50
Mel Firkin
Look forward to watching your journey. So grateful you found inspiration to keep shining your beautiful light. Miss ya
$52.50
Holly
This is amazing, go you!!! <3
$31.50
Shnitt
$500
Mitch Van Der Werf
Love ya man. You got this!
$52
Lindsay Robinson
☺️
$52
Gina Elvidge
Well done Rory. Keep on building that positive mental attitude. You will get there! Love from family in uk x
$20.80
Anonymous
Goodluck bud.... were all shining light on you!!! - fyi-make sure u stock up on water for the Nullarbor... the water tanks mentioned on wiki are empty. I tried on way through, a few servos though...take care, keep us all posted on your journey.
$104
Lou Fielding
$104
Anonymous
legend
$20.80
Jen
$52
Cheryl Braun
Your vulnerability is inspiring, Rory, as is your courage and your strength. Keep going. You got this!
$31.20
Christy Van Slobbe
$20.80
Jenny Scheimer
It takes strength to do what you have done and you will continue to build this inner strength as you continue on your journey.
$20.80
Maddy
$52
Amanda Kerby
Rory such a brave thing to admit Very proud of you
$52
Leslie And Peter Jones
Rory, so proud of you for taking everything on and moving forward for change!!
$52
George Warrener
$50
Shelly
Stoked to have you still here roz 💛
$20.80
Jack Leonard
$31.20
Mitchell Cassin
Yew
$31.20
Taylah Golden
Well done Rory 🚵🏼
$20.80
Nick Archer
Huge props mate, all the best!!
$50
Eliza Menzel
$52
Casey & Ella
$20.80
Mum
I’m thinking there are so many people out there that will really understand this son. Proud of your honesty and so much more. There needs to be so much more practical and timely help available.
Rory - we are so proud of what you've achieved. Thank you for raising our own awareness around an issue that touches so many. Here's to more open conversation and an ongoing support system for our community.