- This event has passed.
2023 Spring Drive Day
October 22, 2023
Registration closes 12:00pm Thursday 19th October, 2023
Event date: Sunday 22nd October, 2023
Why We Drive
DAD drive days are always about connection and community. They hold the intention to normalise mental health problems and mental illness, promote conversations around these and offer pathways for seeking further support.
We use driving and the shared enthusiasm for cars and great roads as our way of connecting and escaping downward emotional spirals. We know that connection is vital for mental wellbeing, and DAD events deliver this in spades.
DAD isn’t a club, it’s a community. Please don’t feel you need to have a particular model or age of car to attend – if you love it, bring it.
Our drive days are strictly social and non-competitive. We use open roads and carefully plan our drive routes to make them as safe and logical as possible, while using engaging roads with new scenery for a great day out.
We advocate for using DAD drive days as an inclusive environment to start your mental health conversation where you feel comfortable to do so, however DAD drive days are not a crisis service and keeping everyone safe on the road is of utmost importance.
What’s Happening for the Spring Drive Day?
When: Sunday 22nd October 2023
Arrival from: 8:15am
Start location: Mernda McDonalds carpark – 1405 Plenty Road, Mernda
Important participant briefing: 8:45am
Setting off by: 9:15am
Morning tea break: Heathcote Visitor Centre
Lunch and event finish: Maldon Hotel and group lunch
The full event details and drive route pack will be emailed to registered participants in advance of the event.
Group Lunch
The team at the Maldon Hotel has reserved a space for our group and is putting on a two-course set menu lunch for $35 per head. This will be served in an alternate-drop fashion, with all dietary requirements catered for (please be sure to add these details when registering). Lunch options will be fish and chips or roast of the day, with either pavlova or sticky date pudding for dessert. Drinks will be available for purchase over the bar.
To ensure we can secure places and manage the group booking, lunches are pre-paid upon registration. Getting together to catch up after the drive is always a most enjoyable part of our events, we hope you’ll join us there.
Event Partner
For each event, we invite partnerships to create shared impact and help make sure our drives hit the road. As a volunteer-run registered charity, we operate based on the commitment of our wonderful team, and we are seeking financial resourcing to support that.
We have witnessed the capacity of DAD events to change lives. We know what it means to our community to have these safe spaces and opportunities for connection in a way that isn’t offered elsewhere. We have big plans for supporting our community and creating lasting impact, and partnerships help significantly with our capacity to achieve that vision.
If you or your business are interested in discussing partnership opportunities or understanding more about the options (of which there are several), please contact Sarah via sarah@driveagainstdepression.com.au
How to Participate
Pop the date in your diary and gather your mates!
Registrations are now open, please complete the details below.
The donation and registration fields are below for your use, and event terms and conditions are at the bottom of this page.
As a registered charity we are proud to offer tax deductibility for your donations, and thank you for your generosity which allows us to provide these important events.
*If you’re interested in supporting as a DAD Local Legend or sponsor, please let us know in the “Additional Comments” section on the below form.
Register for the Event
Registrations for this event are now closed. Please feel free to contact us for any information relating to this event.