Drive Against Depression unites the automotive community on the Great Ocean Road

The 2026 Melbourne (Geelong) Winter Drive Day hosted by Drive Against Depression (DAD) brought together 130 registered attendees recently for an event which proved to be much more than just a road trip.
Hosted by DAD in proud partnership with Women in Automotive, the capacity event successfully merged a shared enthusiasm for motoring with life-saving conversations about mental health.
Gathering under clear skies at the Norlane ARC auditorium, the day began with coffees poured from The Tipsy Colt’s Kei truck, generously covered by Women in Automotive.
Before the engines turned over, attendees heard from Nerissa O’Keefe of Talked Therapy, who highlighted the vital importance of human connection and accessible pathways to mental health support.
With spirits high, the convoy embarked on the first stage of the journey, heading west along scenic country roads toward the historic town of Winchelsea.
A morning tea inside the Winchelsea Town Hall featured DAD-branded treats from Daniel’s Donuts, courtesy of Vanessa Guedes, sparking new friendships and giving familiar faces a chance to catch up.
From there, the route shifted to the region’s renowned inland stretches. Drivers navigated the highly engaging and technical Deans Marsh–Lorne Road through the lush Otways before descending toward the coast.
Joining the iconic Great Ocean Road, the group cruised through to Anglesea against one of Australia’s most recognisable maritime backdrops, with photographer Mitchell Oke of Digital Fuel Productions positioned perfectly to capture the fleet.
The driving component culminated at the Anglesea Bowling Club, where attendees were treated to a spectacular lunch prepared by Laneway 73 and kindly donated by Euro Panels.
The afternoon program brought a new layer of engagement with a Q&A session featuring Eleanor Baillieu and Patricia Valeri-Mellior from the Paddock 43 Podcast.
The duo seamlessly blended their automotive expertise with a candid discussion about the realities of life behind the scenes.
They offered a poignant reminder that while life in the automotive world can look glamorous through a social media filter, the reality is often raw, challenging, and far less polished.
The afternoon was capped off with a friendly Paddock 43 Formula 1 quiz, featuring prizes generously donated by Honda Australia.
“A day of this scale is only possible through the support of a committed group of people and organisations. They turned interest into action, and came together to help achieve meaningful community impact,” DAD Executive Director and Co-Founder, Sarah Davis, said.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Women in Automotive team for working alongside Drive Against Depression to bring the event to life. The partnership helped create a welcoming and inclusive day that reflected the shared values of both organisations.
“We also thank our collective partners for contributing an outstanding range of raffle prizes, including Euro Panels, Uniden Australia, Ford Australia, M&R Distributors, Fix Auto Collision, Deus Ex Machina, Mobil, and Honda Australia.
“Most importantly, thank you to all the attendees who registered and joined us.
“Whether you came with friends, family, colleagues, or arrived on your own, your participation helped create the open, supportive atmosphere that these events are designed to provide.
“Drive Against Depression exists to create opportunities for connection through a shared enthusiasm for motoring. The 2026 Melbourne Winter Drive Day was a strong reminder of what can happen when the automotive community comes together with a genuine willingness to support one another.
“Thank you for being part of it, and we can’t wait to see you at the next one.”

For more information, visit www.dad.org.au