Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer

The Riverland again hosted approximately 400 people taking part in a major fundraising relay focused on raising support for mental health.

The 2025 Ski For Life travelled through the region last weekend, with participants finishing the 456km relay at the Renmark riverfront on Sunday.

Ski For Life committee chairman Mark Facy said the event helped those taking part reflect on the impacts of suicide.

“For me it’s a pretty powerful journey, and there’s a lot that goes into moving 36 (boats) up the river safely,” Mr Facy said.

“That plus the cause, and why we do it, makes it a powerful event.

“We’ve always looked at Ski For Life as a very impactful time to spend with our family and kids. We have unfortunately been affected by suicide… so it’s that time to spend with like-minded people.

Mr Facey said raising awareness of mental health issues was particularly important in regional areas.

“The issue of suicide is massive nationally, and it doesn’t discriminate,” he said.

“Conversations that started through this event opened our eyes up to what was going on out there.

“Unfortunately we’ll never stop it, but what we have been able to do is reach into the communities we travel in and support them, and provide opportunities for support.

“It’s been an incredible journey, and it’s not over yet.”

Ski For Life ambassador Ben Pettingill said co-operation and coordination among participants was key to the event’s success.

“The full 456km was a team effort,” Mr Pettingill said.

“This year ’s theme was ‘Showing up for your mates’, and we needed to do that to get through the event.

“I can’t speak highly enough of this year’s event. It was awesome.

“All the community members coming down to support us, you can’t beat that… the whole river bank is cheering and screaming, and it shows the support Ski For Life has.”

Mr Pettingill – who marked his seventh Ski For Life this year – said utilising the event to illustrate the importance of mental health support was a goal.

“When you lose 98 per cent of your eyesight overnight at 16, there’s some mental health challenges and some dark times,” he said.

“I’ve lost mates to suicide, and it’s something that when it was pitched to me, I straight away said ‘absolutely’.”

Participant Dan Clifford – whose son Chase joined him for 150km of the journey – said the positive atmosphere created by Ski For Life was a personal highlight.

“This was my second time doing the whole way,” Mr Clifford said.

“It’s such a great cause. Promoting mental health is amazing, and it’s such a good atmosphere, so we just keep coming back because of it.

“It helps us promote the message… and raise money to help other people from being in those tough situations.”

Mr Facey said the efforts of volunteers were again crucial to the event’s operation.

“What I’ve watched (our volunteers) do over the last three days, in amongst the pressures of moving 400 people up the river, is just beyond imaginable,” Mr Facey said.

“They are volunteers, they are committed to the cause, and everyone has put in.” 

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This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 12 March 2025.