Black Dog Ride: Beloved Jim Kelly to be remembered in ride to Noonamah Tavern

As Berni Kelly parted ways with his Darwin security guard brother for the last time, he knew something was wrong. Find out how a Top End pub will help to raise mental health awareness.

Brothers Jim and Berni Kelly together for the last time at a pub in Airlie Beach.

The last time Berni Kelly saw his younger brother, he knew something was wrong.

Berni and Jim had not seen each other in six years when they caught up in January for an overdue schooner.

While enjoying their drinks in a North Queensland pub, Berni noticed his Darwin-based brother was upset.

“On the night I could see he wasn’t himself – we had a bit of a disagreement over nothing and I was actually pretty concerned about him,” Berni said.

Berni did not know that when they parted ways that evening, it would be for the last time.

Weeks later, Berni received a phone call which would “devastate” him.

“My nephew called me and told me Jim had taken his life,” he said.

Berni said Jim’s feelings of depression had not been known due his “hard exterior”.

Having gone through “tough relationships” and a challenging security career, Jim’s battle with mental health was only revealed when he died.

Mr Kelly pictured in 2017. Picture: Elise Derwin

“I don’t think he even told anybody about his depression,” Berni said.

“We found out later on that he did ring Lifeline a couple of times, and he did have two psych meetings, and that he also had a mental health plan.

“He was a beautiful bloke.”

Berni said Jim’s silent suffering may have stemmed from misconceptions surrounding male mental health.

“I think it was a bit of a man thing – ‘don’t tell anyone you have a weakness’ kind of thing,” Berni said.

“I ask myself the question – ‘Why didn’t I see the signs? Why didn’t he talk to me?’”

When Berni flew to the Top End for Jim’s wake, he learned that his younger brother had been a beloved member of the Noonamah Tavern.

“I couldn’t believe what they did for his service – they put money over the bar, food on, entertainment, they did everything,” he said.

“If it wasn’t so far away, I’d come back.”

Jim’s ashes will be buried with his mother – who, tragically, also died by suicide.

“My family have had enough of it,” Berni said.

“It doesn’t have to be that way.”

Black dog ride members of the Badass Silverbacks Daryl Hooton [centre] Sam Steane [left] and Shane Klien co-ordinator [right]. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Black Dog Ride NT co-ordinator Shane Klein announced this month’s annual ride would finish at the Noonamah pub in memory of Jim and others who have, and continue to deal with, ill mental health.

“We’ve offered our support to the people at the Noonamah Tavern because they’ve been so adversely affected by this tragedy,” Mr Klein said.

He said the purpose of the 200-person ride was to raise awareness and “avoid tragedies”.

“At least eight Australians take their lives every day and it’s a serious problem when you think about it in those terms,” he said.

“And if this awareness causes people to ask tough questions and have those heavy-going discussions then it was worth it.

“There is help available.”

On Sunday March 17, the Black Dog Ride will rally at 8.30am in front of the Beachfront Hotel, before commencing its convoy to the Noonamah Tavern.

Originally published as Black Dog Ride: Beloved Jim Kelly to be remembered in ride to Noonamah Tavern