HARDI shines spotlight on mental health

HARDI was all geared up and ready to go in the Beyond Bitumen rally scheduled to be held on March 27 this year, when the coronavirus crisis hit and put a hold on the charity event, and pretty much every other event in the country.

South Australia based spraying expert, HARDI Australia, has been an avid supporter of the rally since 2018. This year would’ve been the third year the company would back an old school Datsun, dubbed the Hardi Datto, in the rally with Qantas pilot Andrew Edwards behind the wheel.

Beyond Bitumen is a fundraising event for Beyond Blue which supports millions of Australians living with anxiety and depression. Started several years ago by Peter and Trish Fehon who tragically lost their daughter, Beth, to suicide in 2005, the rally involves teams of driving enthusiasts cruising through the New South Wales central west region in a mix of old cars and modern 4WDs over the course of four days. Participants set up fundraising pages with the funds going directly to Beyond Blue.

With the rally put on hold, HARDI looked for other ways it can show its support for mental health initiatives. The company then decided to partner up with mental health service provider, Wellways, to print and distribute an information booklet titled

In addition to funding the printing of the booklets, HARDI also used its wide distribution network to distribute the free publication, whether it be at dealerships or through every machine sold by placing them in the gloveboxes.

The information toolkit features helpful tips on practicing self-care, ways to help someone in distress and some useful numbers to call for help.

HARDI said it was vitally important for the company to shine alight on an issue that is very close to its heart.

“Farmers have had it really tough especially in the past few years and it is such a lonely business,” said HARDI Australia Marketing Manager, Tatiana Delendik.

“Unfortunately, the suicide rates among farmers are mind-blowingly high and as a business servicing the rural community, we need to ensure our farmers are looked after.”

While COVID-19 hasn’t stopped the Australian agricultural industry from doing what it does best, that is to clothe and feed the nation, it hasn’t changed the fact that farming is still one of the most isolating jobs in the world.

“We as a society can feel the toll of social distancing because we feel vulnerable and less supported as a result of being by ourselves a lot of the time,” Delendik said.

“But farmers are in that situation day in, day out, so it's our duty to do something for that community.”

Beyond Bitumen organisers have announced new dates for the rally this year – November 12 to 16, and HARDI said it is keen to get behind it again.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone and a lot of good fun,” Delendik said.

“We're raising awareness for such a worthy cause and at the same time, we get engagement on our social media and people reacting positively to the photographs we put up.

“We'll certainly be working with them again.”

For more information on Beyond Bitumen and to donate, visit the event's website. To find out more about Wellways and its Growing Hope initiative, go to wellways.com.au