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Gift of thanks to Magpies

The Wayne Gouge Cause has been set up by Jane Ebert and her family to support young men in the hope of breaking down the barriers attached to mental health.

Although suicide was not the cause of her brother Wayne’s passing, he did suffer severe bouts of depression throughout his life, according to Jane.

“We as a family found very few services that would or could help us,” she said.

“We are a very close family so watching someone you love going through mental health issues is heartbreaking and having no outside help made the situation even harder. Losing my brother was a total tragedy but what I do believe is that where there is darkness there is also light and that is what I hope the Wayne Gouge Cause will stand for.

“When girls have relationship breakdowns or they are in pain they turn to their friends and their mothers and they talk it through,” Jane said.

“Boys don’t do that...it’s not seen as ‘tough’ to say to your mate that you’re not coping. As the mother of four boys myself, I see how important sport is to young men. It’s a place where they can find friendship, confidence and camaraderie. Our family is a big sporting family and sport has been a saving grace for us.

“So the tracksuits [sponsored by Ebert Concreting] are a way for us to help give confidence to the boys and a way for us to begin the work of the Wayne Gouge Cause.”

Jane said the foundation dedicated to the memory of her brother is still a work in progress but that she had to start somewhere.

“Working full-time and raising six children, I find that time is very limited. I also find The Wayne Gouge Cause emotionally challenging but I need to do this as I truly believe that this cause could help so many young men out there and their families.”

The Eberts hope to hold a number of community fundraising events in the future to raise money and awareness for the Wayne Gouge Cause.

“I hope that this cause can also assist the loved ones of those suffering depression,” Jane said.

“The three most important things I have learnt is - listen, understand and love. Always listen when they talk, try to understand how they are feeling and love them unconditionally, no matter what.”

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Ebert Concreting