If you get down to the Yarra Glen Showgrounds this weekend be sure to check out the Car & Bike Show on Saturday, organised by mental health organisation ‘She Won’t Be Right Mate’.
Billed as ‘more than just a car show’, it aims to raise awareness and understanding around mental health issues, particularly in men.
Still a young event, first started in 2019 in Chirnside Park, organiser Marcus Reeves says he is hoping to see it bring the local community together.
It will be the third year in a row now it has been hosted in the Yarra Valley.
“I started the event due to my own personal experience with depression, drugs and alcohol,” Marcus tells Unique Cars.
“I thought if I felt how I did during that time, then there’s a hell of a lot of people that don’t come out the other side like I was lucky enough to.
“As a young bloke I loved cars, bikes and music, so I thought it’d be cool to get an event going along those lines. I thought if there’s other people who feel how I do I want to show them it’s okay and there’s help out there. If it can help save a kid, an old man, a son or a daughter, whoever it may be, that’s what the event is all about.
“It’s not just about cars – they’re what we love and blokes that are into them can start to open up on the day which is amazing.
“We’ve got half a dozen mental health organisations in the background in case anyone wants any info or knows a mate who needs help. It gets them armed with advice and knowledge.”
There are already hundreds of cars that Marcus expects to show up, but the day isn’t just about the cars, but supporting mental and physical health causes.
They will be raising money for Eastern Health, which goes back to helping out Maroondah Hospital and the patients there.
Previously the funds raised have gone towards bringing in sporting and gym equipment, and even sending families with patients at the hospital away to a retreat.
Marcus says they will also be supported by the Victorian Hot Rod Association, who are joining the show for the first time.
“When we spoke to them they were keen to get behind it,” he says.
“They’re big believers in causes devoted to mental health. It’s 99 per cent made up of blokes who have gotten behind other health causes. Hopefully it’s the start of a growing relationship.”
If you want to donate on the day, you can do so on the day, otherwise you can also go directly to the Eastern Health website.
“On the day there’ll be donation buckets,” Marcus says.
“Otherwise we can direct them straight to the Eastern Health website, and they do it straight through there. Hopefully this turns into my own charity next year and we can impact people’s lives and help some families out.”
In addition to the cars on display, there will be plenty of activities and entertainment to get around.
There will be raffles and giveaways held, which Marcus says has been made possible by the generosity of a number of local businesses.
Former Richmond Tigers player Dale Weightman and boxing legend Barry Michaels will be in attendance as a part of the sports memorabilia auction, so make sure you don’t miss it if you’re a sports fan.
There will also be food trucks and live music from the Screamin’ Eagles.
For the kids, there will be jumping castles, a petting zoo, slot car racing and more.
If you’re interested in attending, you can still buy tickets online or pay cash on the day.
“This is the third one in a row at Yarra Glen and it’s going to be huge,” Marcus says.
“We’re hoping we can shut down the Yarra Valley in a good way with hundreds of show cars and hot rods.
“In the other areas of the Yarra Valley there’s other shows which get heaps of cars turning around so we’re expecting a pretty big attendance. I’m checking the weather every morning, but it’s going to be sunny and hot at this stage!”