Michael Harding (left) and Patrick Doheny (right)

Victoria’s newest 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 broad range of machines, trucks, trailers, utility vehicles while seeing global brand names like CJD Equipment, William Adams, CRE Group, Verkan Group, UAA, Solution Plant Hire, Kubota, Hitachi Construction Australia and Porter Group.

A highlight of the inaugural day is 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 uncover the world champion.

The inspiration for Dig Deep evolved from a conversation between event co-founders Patrick Doheny and Michael Harding from CRE Group who wished to provide an opportunity for the industry to come together and connect.

Michael and Patrick were both born in Tipperary, Ireland but only met when they were working on a pipeline project in Queensland. A friendship formed and they have since been in business together for eight years and are determined to give back to the industry that has given them so much.

The Dig Deep committee comprises a passionate group of people working within the civil construction industry who have an audacious goal to raise one million dollars 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,” Patrick says.

Tragically 190 construction workers take their own lives per year which equates to one person every two days and Dig Deep wants to stop this needless loss of life.

Construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than an accident at work.  For young construction workers, the facts are that they are twice as likely more likely to take their own lives than other young Australian men.

According to Beyond Blue, 27% of their calls in the 2020-2021 financial year were males aged 15-54.

Based on population, this demographic is underrepresented, and the starting point is educating males around signs and symptoms and helping to break the stigma around reaching out for support; exactly what events like Dig Deep is aiming to do.

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,” Michael explains.