By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
CRAIG Membrey took the moments leading up to the 2016 Berwick Show Truck Pull to share the story of his son.
Rowan was 17 years old when he took his life in March of 2011, leaving behind a devastated family and wide circle of friends.
“I just didn’t know how bad it was,” he told those gathered at the Akoonah Park main arena on Saturday 27 February.
Every year since 2012, Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire has sponsored the truck pull, with all proceeds directly donated to beyondblue.
For Craig, the event is an opportunity to tell the story of his son, encourage those in need to seek help and raise vital funds.
“But however bad it seems, there is help available. There are people that care about you,” he said.
“My son didn’t think anyone cared about him, and 2200 people turned out to his funeral.”
This year, four teams were each tasked with pulling the Rowan John Membrey memorial truck 30 metres, with the fastest time taking home the trophy and the honour of truck pull champion.
The 2016 entrants were the Pakenham, Beaconsfield and Narre Warren North CFA brigades, and a team of mountain boarders who had put on a display earlier in day. For the fifth year in a row, Narre Warren North CFA came away victorious, Pakenham second, Beaconsfield third and the mountain boarders in fourth.
Beaconsfield CFA member Jason McKenzie said the truck pull was about spreading the message of awareness.
“We’re here to support a really important cause. The CFA is all about the community, so it’s natural that we would participate in something like this.”
See some of the action from the truck pull in our video:
