Accredit my site

MATES Program

News & Media

MATES Social

WA

14 November 2026

The Big Dig 2026

14 - 15 November 2026


The Big Dig 2026: Breaking Ground for Suicide Prevention in WA's Construction and Mining Industry


In 2016, WA local hero Goran Utjesinovic started The Big Dig with a small group. Today, it’s a powerful annual fundraising event. Every year, individuals and teams from across the industry - including original legends from the very start - dig a one-metre trench by hand for 24 hours straight. No machines - just shovels, sweat and heart.


Now celebrating it’s 10th year and supporting MATES in Construction WA for the first time, The Big Dig will be bigger than ever!


This community-driven initiative has grown significantly since its inception, mobilising hundreds of diggers, moving thousands of tonnes of sand, and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local support programs.


Every dollar raised through The Big Dig 2026 directly supports the vital, life-saving work of MATES in Construction WA.


Register, Sponsor and find more information here: The Big Dig 2026


Training Events

Our training events equip workers with the skills to recognise warning signs of mental ill-health and suicide, and to take safe, practical steps to offer support. Through sessions like General Awareness Talks (GAT), Connector and ASIST, participants learn how to build a stronger, more connected workplace where help-seeking is normalised and stigma is reduced.

See more

Host a Fundraising Event

Hosting a MATES fundraising event is a powerful way to support suicide prevention and mental health in the construction industry. Whether it's a BBQ, fun run, raffle, or community challenge, these events raise vital funds while bringing people together to start conversations, reduce stigma, and show that we’re stronger together. Every dollar raised helps MATES deliver life-saving training and on-site support across worksites and industries.

See more