Black Dog bites man in Douglas

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Paul Makin

Journalist

Email Paul
Last updated:
Keith Dickinson has some valuable advice for others on how to get rid of the ‘Black Dog’. Picture: Paul Makin

In the tight-knit community of the Douglas Shire, hockey enthusiast Keith Dickinson's love for the sport is unparalleled. It’s been a passion of his for most of the 60 odd years he’s been on the planet.

However, amidst personal challenges and a declining interest in the sport locally, Keith finds himself at a crossroads.  As an educator at Mossman State School, Keith strives to ignite a passion for hockey among the students. His dedication extends beyond the classroom, with plans to introduce the sport to other schools.

“On Fridays I’m at Mossman State School teaching the kids hockey during school hours and I’m hoping we’ll be able to get into the local Primary Schools to teach it after school hours,” he said.

If anyone can teach them hockey it’s Keith Dickinson as he represented Queensland in 2023 at the National Masters tournament in Perth, so he’s no slouch.

A devastating turn of events

Keith's fervour for hockey was overshadowed by a series of personal setbacks that sent the ‘Black Dog’ a calling.

The onset of depression was exacerbated by what happened at those Australian Masters Championships where Australian teams are selected for each age division to contest the following year’s scheduled international events.

When selections were made for the ‘A’ team Keith missed out and, in his mind, it was a kick in the guts he didn’t need as depression was on his doorstep anyway.

“It left a bad taste in my mouth, and I was essentially just licking my wounds and contemplating pulling out of the sport altogether,” he said.

In December 2023, Cyclone Jasper wreaks havoc on Mossman, flooding businesses including Keith's wife Margaret's shop, 'Oh Sew Crafty' costing the couple $30,000 in stock and a massive clean-up.

Amidst the chaos, a near-fatal car crash leaves Keith shaken and vulnerable.

“It was on Wonga Beach Road and as I indicated to turn right so I could reverse into my friend’s driveway, a Toyota Four Wheel Drive came through with a rather large bulbar and collided with the front end of our van,” he explained. 

Keith copped the pillar of the vehicle in the side of the head which left him dazed and shocked while his wife Margaret got out of the wreck unharmed.

The driver of the Toyota pulled over down the road and yelled out ‘Are you ok'?  Keith replied that he thought that was the case, but the driver then drove off without exchanging any details.

That’s when the ‘Black Dog’ really bit, says Keith. The cumulative effect plunged him deeper into despair, affecting his daily routines and social interactions.

“You lose a lot of motivation and end up going to bed early and getting up later and later in the morning and that effects your hygiene, and you don’t want to see anyone," he said.

Seeking light in the darkness

Keith's journey through the darkness offers a glimmer of hope. Encouraged by his wife's unwavering support, he learns to open up to others about his struggles and seek help.

His wife Margaret was a godsend during all of this.

“She never once put me under pressure and understood I was going through something very difficult so simple tasks around the house that I couldn’t complete, she suggested I may be able to do them the next day or the day after that, and it was such a relief that Margaret cut me that slack,” he said.

Seek help and admit you have a problem

His message to others battling similar demons is clear: seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Keith hopes this Newsport story will help others, especially blokes, chain up their ‘Black Dog’.

“It’s one step each day like getting out of bed having breakfast, having a shower, getting dressed and taking care of yourself and trying to do a little more each time, until you suddenly find life is easier,” he said.

Keith says he knows it’s not easy but you have to make a start somewhere.

“Instead of pulling back into your shell, it’s a matter of opening the door having a look outside and seeing the world isn’t against you, because no man's an island, and you’re going to resist asking for help, but don’t," he recommends.

Keith has reignited his passion for hockey and ‘Animal’ as he’s known to his teammates has been selected by Southern Cross Masters Hockey to represent Australia in the over 65 age group.

The competition will be held in the Netherlands next month. He’s paying his own way but has set up a GoFundMe page to raise expense money. 

For those in need of support, Lifeline and Beyond Blue offer 24-hour crisis counselling and assistance. Remember, you're not alone in this journey.

Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services on 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.  Beyond Blue can be contacted on 1300 22 4636.

Keiths GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-fund-my-representative-european-trip

The ‘Black Dog’ can attack at any time but there is help available. Picture: Supplied

Support public interest journalism

Help us to continue covering local stories that matter. Please consider supporting below.

Got a news tip?

Send a news tip or submit a letter to the Newsport Editor here.

Comments

Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.