The mullet run has returned to Forster Tuncurry, but it doesn't include nets or hauling in tonnes of oily bait fish.
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Instead, this mullet run is the often referred to business-on-top, party-at-the-back 80s hair style, which since the start of the pandemic seems to be making a comeback.
A group of local teenagers is embracing their inner mullet to help raise much needed funds for mental health research for the Black Dog Institute (BDI) which is encouraging men around the country to shape and grow a mullet.
According to BDI, suicide is the leading cause of death among Australians aged 15-44, and 60 per cent of Australians reporting symptoms of mental illness don't seek help.
Great Lakes College, Tuncurry student and Mullet Marauder's (the group's unofficial moniker) spokesperson, Angus Robertson said one in five experience symptoms of mental illness.
This is our way of raising awareness of mental health.
- Angus Robertson
"This is our way of raising awareness of mental health," he said.
The Year 11 student said many teenagers experienced mental health issues, and believed this was due to the stress of everyday life, and perceived people's expectations.
"I know people who have had mental health issues or someone in this group know of someone," Angus said.
"And, it is hard to deal with knowing people who are finding things hard."
Angus urged everyone to reach out and ask if they are okay.
"You can't always tell if someone is struggling; but it is a weight off your chest when they do tell you."
Angus said due to the pandemic the suicide rate had tripled.
"And a lot were kids like us at school."
Since the 10-member group, aged from 15-17 years, organised their mullet run in late August they have raised close to $4500 for the BDI's Mullet for Mental Health project, and the sum is growing daily.
Their initial goal was $1000.
"Then we raised that to $2000 and we smashed that, and now we have doubled that."
The teenagers and their parents, are understandably chuffed with their achievements.
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Mum, Julieanne Perrin said she was very proud of the boys.
"It's just awesome with the year we all have had that a group of young boys doing good with their time and raising awareness for a important cause, Julieanne said.
"They are good kids."
Members of the Great Lakes Vikings under 18s, the boys reckon their playing game also has improved.
"It (mullet) distracts the opponents," Angus said.
While the boys described the mullet as 'gross', they said it paled into insignificance to what a lot of young people were going through.
They gave a shout-out to barber, Grant Smith from Ian's Barber Shop, Forster who styled the group's hair without charge.
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