AN AWARENESS of mental health issues through his local football club encouraged southern NSW Hereford breeder Scott Lewington to donate $4250 to beyondblue through a heifer auction.
The 13-month-old registered Hereford heifer Glendan Park Marina K059 was auctioned at the 50th anniversary Herefords Australia National Show & Sale dinner at Wodonga, NSW, on Wednesday night last week to raise funds for the charity.
The heifer, donated by Vic breeder Alvio Trovatello, Glendan Park Herefords, Kyneton, was bought by Mr Lewington and his wife Kim, Kymarney Herefords, Uranquinty, NSW.
The unjoined poll heifer was an ET calf by Otapawa Spark 3060 and from Burando Z47 Marina 5.
Mr Trovatello said he donated the heifer to raise awareness of the work done by beyondblue in rural areas and to reduce the stigma associated with anxiety and depression.
"It's not a bad thing to put your hand up and ask for help," he said.
Mr Trovatello paid $5000 for the Hereford heifer auctioned at last year's Wodonga National Show & Sale to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
Mr Lewington was happy to donate to a worthwhile charity, saying the heifer was a "bonus".
"Through the Good Sports program at our local football club, I have been made aware of mental health issues, and beyondblue provided a speaker to explain the pressures young people are under," Mr Lewington said.
"Glendan Park Marina is a sweet heifer and will make a wonderful addition to our herd with the money going to a really good cause."
Beyondblue ambassador Rebecca Moore, Rutherglen, NSW, said the charity was "incredibly grateful'' for the generous donation which would help stem the tide of six Australian suicides a day.
She said three million Australians suffered from depression and 2m from anxiety.
"Anyone in the rural community feeling isolated or suffering stress can phone the beyondblue counsellors 24 hours a day," she said.
