Vic construction event raises awareness for mental health

Wednesday, 11 May, 2022

Victorian machinery and construction show Dig Deep is raising funds and awareness for mental health in the construction industry, with all profits going to Beyond Blue.

Dig Deep will include a showcase of Australian and international earthmoving equipment, with exhibitors displaying the newest construction machinery, attachments, simulators, safety and technology, with expert advice and information. The event will engage visitors with a range of machines, trucks, trailers and utility vehicles, with global brand names like CJD Equipment, William Adams, CRE Group, Verkan Group, UAA, Solution Plant Hire, Kubota, Hitachi Construction Australia and Porter Group to attend the event.

The event will also feature the William Adams 2022 Global Operator Challenge preliminary finals, where Victoria’s best machinery operators will undergo a unique combination of events designed to put their agility, resilience, versatility and technology skills to the test. The winner will advance to the regional finals, with the chance to progress to the Global Operator Challenge finals at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in Las Vegas, where Caterpillar will reveal the world champion.

Dig Deep aims to provide an opportunity for the industry to come together and connect. Event co-founders Patrick Doheny and Michael Harding met when they were working on a pipeline project in Queensland, and have since been in business together for eight years. The Dig Deep committee comprises a passionate group of people working within the civil construction industry who aim to raise $1 million for Beyond Blue.

“We want to create an event that can both support and give back to the people within the construction industry. This year, our machinery show is focused on supporting Beyond Blue and mental health awareness in construction,” said Doheny.

Beyond Blue says that 27% of its calls in the 2020–21 financial year were males aged 15–54. Based on population, this demographic is under-represented, and the starting point is to educate males around signs and symptoms and helping to break stigma around reaching out for support. “It’s a big industry and with the help of our sponsors and exhibitors we are confident we can make it happen and make change by providing our hard-working people with the vital mental health support they need,” said Harding.

The family-friendly construction event will have something for everyone and is targeted to kids big and small, interested in equipment of all sizes.