What’s happening?
Ross Maclean is once again pushing the pedals for charity. The 68-year-old grazier from Baralaba in Central Queensland is taking on a coast-to-coast ride across Australia to support Beyond Blue, a cause close to his heart.
Ross will ride unassisted from Perth in Western Australia to Yeppoon in Central Queensland. He is doing it to raise money and awareness for Australians facing mental health struggles.
He said the cause is deeply personal.
“Beyond Blue is a charity close to my heart,” Ross said.
He said the ride will test him both physically and mentally, but the bigger goal is clear.
“This ride will challenge me both mentally and physically but ultimately achieving my goals of raising money and raising awareness of the amazing work Beyond Blue does for Australians struggling with their mental health,” he said.
Why it matters?
Ross said the fundraiser comes from painful personal experience and a strong belief in the value of support.
He said friends and family have lost their battle with mental illness. He also said two of his friends have lost loved ones in the past 12 months.
“It’s truly heartbreaking,” Ross said.
Ross also shared his own lived experience.
“As I have suffered from mental illness, you could say I have some skin in the game,” he said.
He said Beyond Blue plays an important role for people affected by mental illness.
“Beyond Blue provides support, resources and information to people affected by mental illness,” he said.
He also said the organisation is helping break down stigma, which stops many people from seeking help.
Local Impact
Ross’s ride puts a Central Queensland voice at the centre of a national mental health issue.
As a Baralaba grazier and grandfather, he brings a local and personal face to the campaign. His story may speak strongly to regional families and communities.
By sharing his own experience, Ross is also helping open up conversation around mental illness in places where people may stay quiet for too long.
By the numbers
- Ross is 68 years old, which makes this coast-to-coast bike ride a major personal and physical challenge.
- He has 10 grandkids, showing the strong family reason behind his drive to support this cause.
- In the past 12 months, Ross said two friends have lost loved ones, adding recent personal grief to his fundraising effort.
Zoom In
Ross said his support for Beyond Blue is shaped by both loss and lived experience.
He said friends and family who have lost their battle with mental illness have left a lasting impact on him. He also said two friends have lost loved ones in the past year.
Ross said Beyond Blue matters because it gives support, resources and information to people affected by mental illness.
He said the charity is also helping break down the stigma attached to mental illness, which prevents many people from seeking help.
Ross made clear that this ride is not only about reaching the finish line. It is also about backing a cause he believes can change lives.
Zoom Out
Mental illness continues to affect individuals, families and communities across Australia.
Ross’s fundraiser shows how personal stories can help bring wider attention to support services and the need for open conversations.
His ride from Perth to Yeppoon turns that message into action, stretching from the west coast to the east coast.
What To Look For Next?
As Ross prepares for his solo ride, the next step will be building support around his Beyond Blue fundraiser and message.
His ride also sets the stage for more people to back mental health awareness and the work Beyond Blue does for Australians in need.
“Please get behind me in supporting Beyond Blue, because we CAN make a difference,” he said.
