Mental health charity the Black Dog Ride's coffers have been boosted by another $26,000, with the auction of a Western Australian Angus heifer at the Royal Melbourne Show.
Semex general manager Jim Conroy led the winning bid on behalf of a five member syndicate that bought the heifer, Little Meadows Wilcoola P7 (AI).
The syndicate included P.J Cattle Co, Hamilton, Fernwood Angus, WA, Clift Angus, NSW, and Eurozone Ltd, WA.
Tony Golding, Little Meadows Angus, Dardanup, WA, said he was pleased to offer one of his heifers for the auction
The sale was part of the Royal Melbourne Angus Feature Show.
"A big drive for me, behind this, was depression and suicide, in rural Australia, with what's going on with the drought," Mr Golding said.
He said he was also moved by the plight of the dairy industry.
"The hardship it has put on livestock producers and their families is immeasurable and sadly its ongoing," Mr Golding said.
Wilcoola was given the tag Clementine 6, after the wife of the late British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, who coined the phrase "the Black Dog", when referring to depression.
Sired by Pathfinder Genesis G357P out of Coonamble D252, Wilcoola had a birthweight of 5.6 kilograms, 200-day weight of 54kg, 600-day weight of 129kg.
Wilcoola had an eye muscle area of 7.9 square centimetres, rib fat of 0.9mm rump fat of -0.1mm, retail beef yield of +0.9 per cent and intramuscular fat of +1.2pc.
Peter Milton, Black Dog Ride said the fundraiser began as a one off, when he sold steers at the Perth Royal Show.
Black Dog Ride began in 2009 to raise awareness of depression, evolving into a national charity involving thousands of Australians.
"We raised about $8000 and it was supposed to finish then," Mr Milton said.
"It's kept going and we are now around $100,000 and I can't stop.
"I've met so many wonderful people, I have met sad people, I have met survivors, I have met people who are struggling.
"I have met people who have admitted to me they have had an issue, before they have told anyone else."