General News
18 March, 2025
Charity cyclist reaches Victorian border
A former shearer is pushing his body, and mind, beyond their limits to raise much-needed awareness and funds for mental health.
Lenny Deacon is riding his recumbent trike through the Wimmera this week as part of a winding journey across Australia.
Motivated by the powerful message, ‘You are not alone,’ he hopes to raise $1 million for the Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation.
from Bordertown in South Australia, Mr Deacon was excited to cross the border and embark on the final stages of his charity ride.
“The ‘You Are Not Alone’ bike ride kicked off on November 2 2024 from Bunbury in Western Australia,” he said.
“I’ve been blown away by the support and encouragement I’ve received from complete strangers along the way.”
Mr Deacon is no stranger to amazing feats.
In 2022 he raised $45,000 by shearing for 24 hours straight, driven to push himself after losing his mate Simon ‘Dippa’ Wheaton to suicide a year earlier.
“Dippa was a shearer just like me,” he said.
“[During Covid] a lot of people who travelled got isolated from their families.
“Others weren't able to go away where they normally work, so a lot of people probably lost work.
“It affected all of us.”
Trying to make sense of the loss, Mr Deacon started a Facebook group ‘Doin it for Dippa’ with the aim of encouraging people to have conversations about mental health.
“No one is immune. Mental health doesn't discriminate,” he said.
“I've been lucky; I've had my struggles in my dark times.
“After I couldn't shear any more due to injuries and, you know, stuff-ups here and there, it can get you down a bit.
“I had some really good people around me and they got me through it.
“This is also a bit of me just trying to give back.”
Mr Deacon admits the idea for a charity ride across the country was born after “probably a couple too many beers” but he’s not complaining.
“There wasn't much time between coming up with the idea [of riding across Australia] and actually putting it into play," he said.
“I'm not a cyclist at all. Never have been.
"I sort of came up with this idea and told the world before I even sat on one of this type of bike.”
He describes a recumbent trike as a “lounge chair with wheels”, which suits him fine after having shorn for more than 25 years.
“It's got a relatively wide seat and it's fairly ergonomic,” he said.
“The only thing I would add to it is a headrest.
“I got the trike a few months before I left… but I'm also not one for training much either, so there wasn't a hell of a lot of riding.”
Mr Deacon openly admits he’s been buoyed by his support crew that follow him on the road each day.
“I've got an old 12-seater school bus that's been decked out to camping,” he said.
“We got big side flashing lights and two-ways.
"I've got an earpiece so we're on Channel 40 with the truckies.
“I've got a couple of mates who do trucking and stuff and they've been spreading the word among their crew, and that helps.
"The majority of them have been amazing.”
With a two-way radio and an earpiece, the crew can communicate if a truck is coming so Mr Deacon can safely get off the road.
He said the radio was good for banter too.
“I think it was just out there by myself, I’d be inside my own head too much,” Mr Deacon said.
“I've noticed some of my drivers, we get people who have had a bit going on in their life recently, but they've walked away totally different people.
“Even just that puts a smile on my face.”
From Esperance to the Yorke Peninsula, Mr Deacon has stopped in numerous small towns to meet with communities and share stories.
“We meet some amazing people on our stops,” he said.
“A few people stop and pull us over, like maybe slip us $10 or $20 in donations.”
Over time he’s learnt that people find it easier to open up to strangers rather than to their peers.
“A lot of people find it hard to have the same sort of conversations with close friends or family, or even in their hometown,” he said.
“My goal is to try to get people to talk with each other about these issues and feel comfortable doing so.
“There’s a little bit of self motivation too, because it helps me just as much as it helps other people.
"It gives me a feeling of self worth.”
Breakthrough chief executive John Mannion said Mr Deacon was a vital voice for the foundation.
“His story resonates with many Australians, and through his adventures he sheds light on the urgent mental health crisis,” Mr Mannion said.
“While many share his struggles, he is one of the brave few leading the conversation, breaking down stigma and inspiring change.”
Donations can also be made directly at www.breakthroughfoundation.org.au, supporting vital mental health research and initiatives.