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Dylan Iredale

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Grow a skullet, raise money for mental health

I've been growing a skullet for 6 months. Typically, I'd shave my head, maybe keep a moustache or beard. 

When I saw this initiative from the Black Dog Institute, I knew I had to participate and use my skullet to raise money for mental health. 

Since hitting my 30's, I've been learning a lot about the importance of wellbeing and managing my mental health. I've had support from family, friends and professionals and am very grateful that they have been there. 

There was a time when I felt like I couldn't open up to people about how I felt, and this caused me a lot of suffering when my parents had cancer and my Dad passed away. 

I've come a long way since then. I put a much higher value on my physical and mental health. I also strive to be more open and supportive of those around me. 

I want to do a good thing by fundraising money for the Black Dog Institute, and make some good out of this haircut. 

It would be pretty cool if you donated money too, so c'mon. Don't be stingy. 

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$2,486

My Goal

$1,000

Select amount to donate

$52
$104
$200
$500
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Donate

My Impact

This year I have helped provide

3,152

people with suicidal thoughts help when they need it most.

Funds raised over the years

My Achievements

X

Thank you to my Sponsors

$110.24

Ub

Great work Dylan, such a good cause!

$110.24

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$108.96

Shane Frazz

Hope your message reaches those in need! Keep it up Dylan!

$108.24

Allyse Cochrane

Well done Dylz! You're pretty awesome 😁

$104.24

Anna

Fantastic work Dylan

$104.24

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$103.72

Dr Rok

Frosted tips if you reach your goal!

$103.72

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$58.24

Anthony P

Amazing work mate. Happy to contribute to such a good cause.

$58.24

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$57.50

Tim Richardson

Good stuff Dylan!

$57.50

Lewis Pink

Well done brother!

$56.96

Newstrength

Proud of you my man. Keep showing up for yourself

$56.24

Jenny

Amazing job Dylan

$56.24

Jane Aspinall

$56.24

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$56.24

Maggie Phang

$56.24

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$56.24

Heath G

Great initiative mate. Hope this small contribution helps you on the way to your goal.

$56.24

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$56.24

Dylan Iredale

$56.24

Stephen Bailey

$56.24

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$56.24

Jacqueline Saddington

Go Dylan👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

$56.24

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$56.24

Sue Pendlebury

So proud of you. Go well 🌻

$56.24

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$56.24

Nic O

$52

Bianca Lewis

So great Dyl!

$52

David Vu

Rocking the skullet broski. Great work on a fantastic initiative! Hope to catch ya soon!

$52

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$52

Lucas Campton

Good on you Dill, much respect

$52

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$50

Brian Iredale

Well done Dylan

$50

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$43.24

Jamie Evans

Such a great cause, Dylan.

$29.24

Jake Howell

I'll tolerate the hair for the cause! Nice work mate.

$24.24

Jaxon Bernard

$19.24

Jody Mitchell

$19.24

Safety Mate Matched Contribution

$5

Adam

You’re an absolute legend

My Updates

Figuring out what I want

Tuesday 14th Apr
I've spent a lot of time riding my bike along the Fernleigh Track in Newcastle / Lake Macquarie. It's a former rail corridor that has been transformed into a walking and cycling path. While riding my bike, I've had two separate epiphanies about what I want out of life. 

The first one was during a time when I was experiencing high distress. My thoughts were erratic, moving very quickly and were associated with negative beliefs about myself and others. I finished my bike ride and found that I had barely noticed the environment around me and I couldn't remember much of the ride. It really worried and frightened me that I'd taken in so little of the experience and that I was so caught up in my own head. I decided I wanted to be more present. 

The second time, I'd been repeatedly fretting about my friendships. I was having trouble understanding why I was able to open up to some people and feel ok about it, while other people made me feel awkward, misunderstood or burdensome. My circumstances at the time were not great. I was grieving, which came with confusion, sadness and despair, so I (logically) told myself that such people may not be good at showing understanding or expressing compassion. That said, it still hurt to feel like they didn't care. I came to the conclusion while on a bike ride that what I really wanted were deeper and more meaningful friendships and that's what I would focus my energies on. 

I put a lot of value in choices and I believe we are accountable for our choices. These are choices I've made that I am trying to realise. To be more present, I've been meditating and using my breath in daily life to anchor myself in the present moment. To cultivate deeper and more meaningful friendships, I've tried to be more open and supportive of the people who understand me, and accepting of the people who don't.  

There's a lyric from a song featuring my favourite drummer which references a 90's cult classic film that I've committed to memory. It has to do with choices and choosing to live the life you want.

"Don't live life limited to the boundaries that you have created for yourself.
Choose to do as you please.
Don't give up.
Choose life."

Walking in two worlds

Tuesday 7th Apr
I work an office job for the government writing policy. It is at odds with my life outside of work because I love punk rock music, going to see live gigs and playing hard and fast on my drum set. 

I tell people I walk in two worlds because there is a side of me that is organised, career focused, committed and disciplined. But then there is another side that is chaotic, agitated, passionate, a little kooky and creative.

I know it's just me, but sometimes the two worlds clash and I end up in a very corporate environment in my white collar and a skullet. I get a few looks but I laugh, it is funny. 

I'm hoping to share my fundraiser with the people at work and get them involved to raise funds for mental health.