100 TRUCKS, gleaming and impressive, drove in convoy from Woolgoolga to Coffs Harbour C.ex International Stadium on Saturday, 12 November in commemoration of truck drivers Mark Haines and Tom Seccombe, who took their own lives in 2021.

The Grinding Gears Burning Diesel convoy, now an annual awareness raiser, draws attention to the challenges of truck drivers and how their mental health can become low-to-suicidal through the job they do, in part the loneliness of long-distance driving.

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Supported by Lifeline North Coast, the Grinding Gears Burning Diesel convoy was created by Ian ‘Eno’ Taylor who spoke at the event in Coffs.

“The second Grinding Gears Burning Diesel was a hugely successful day, and a huge statement was made,” Eno told News Of The Area.

“There was a huge turnout of truck drivers, families and their friends ready to show that they want to be there.”

This is not like other convoys or truck shows.

There is no prize at the end.

“It is about a community coming together for one reason.

“I made a big effort to walk around and talk to as many of the drivers as I could,” said Eno.

“The sad thing was that a lot of them had a similar story to me, that they have lost someone who they know through suicide or have been a doing things hard.

“And with the conversations I had, I knew that the day was a huge success.

“If I can help just one truck driver from taking his or her own life, or I can get support for the friends and families that have lost someone through suicide I know that Grinding Gears Burning Diesel can help many more.”

Angela Martin, Acting CEO for Lifeline North Coast told NOTA, “Lifeline North Coast wishes to thank Eno for the incredibly contribution that he has made to our community through his role as Ambassador for Lifeline North Coast, for continuing to raise awareness of suicide prevention and encourage others to speak up if needing help.

“Eno brought together our team at Lifeline North Coast as well as volunteers from the community to create this Grinding Gears Burning Diesel Lifeline Convoy.

“If there is something causing you distress, it is really important you speak to someone about how you feel.

“Please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 and speak to one of our telephone crisis supporters who will listen, provide support, and refer you to services you need,” she urged.

Tony Judge, an ambassador for Lifeline North Coast, spoke on how all of us can help a friend or a workmate who is struggling.

“Please take the time to ask how that person is feeling and be prepared for them to tell you that they are not OK.

“The key from there on is listening and encouraging them to talk and share their thoughts – not to minimise their problems or tell them that everything will be OK, but to really listen.

“It’s natural for us to want to offer hope or suggest a solution, but we should focus instead on just listening and encouraging them to talk.”

By Andrea FERRARI