Bright idea helps raise awareness

WHAT started as an idea to get some attention on Sky Channel has blossomed into a huge mental health fundraiser for the Ipswich Turf Club.

The Ipswich barrier attendants have gone viral on social media recently for their bright coloured Hawaiian shirts in an attempt to start a conversation about the difficult subject of mental health.

While the bright shirts, worn by all full-time Ipswich Turf Club employees on Friday have a fun vibe, there is a much deeper meaning when it comes to getting people to talk out about their mental wellbeing.

“You’d look in and think everyone in racing is pretty happy with their life, and most of them are,” Ipswich Turf Club chief executive Tim Dunn said.

“But a lot of people won’t understand the struggles of needing to be on track at 3 or 4am, then going to the races and not getting home until late.

“It’s one of those things that can take a toll, and people on the outside looking in don’t really see what’s gone into getting a horse to the races.

“We are really trying to start some conversations, just to give people an outlet and it doesn’t have to be your best mate or someone at work – it can be someone in an anonymous space.”

The Trademutt shirts were started by a group of blue-collar workers who found they didn’t have an outlet when it came to discussing their mental health.

It was that idea that gave Dunn and the race club enough reason to get behind the cause donating money to Tiacs – a free mental health line available to anyone.

“The shirts we are wearing are really starting to start conversations,” Dunn said.

Sky Racing presenters Paul Joice and Nathan Exelby joined in at the Ipswich races on Friday to assist in raising money for the cause.