The Fleurieu Connections Alliance raised more than $3,500 through its annual Fly the Flag event for MATES in Construction on 9 September.

The funds raised surpassed last year’s figure and will help MATES in Construction to carry out critical work in suicide prevention within the construction industry.

The breakfast event was held at the FCA’s Aldinga Beach compound and attracted several hundred members of the workforce.

The event included a raffle draw with more than $17,000 of prizes on offer, which had been generously donated by FCA contractors and businesses associated with the project. All raffle proceeds will be provided to MATES in Construction.

MATES in Construction aims to reduce the high level of suicide in the Australian construction and allied industries. The organisation offers training to equip people with the skills to spot the signs that someone is struggling, how to have conversations about mental health and suicide, and how to point colleagues in the right direction for help.

The Fleurieu Connections Alliance received Mates in Construction accreditation in 2024. Currently, more than 300 employees have completed one or all of the levels of MATES training

Around 200 construction workers die by suicide in Australia each year. Construction workers are 8 times more likely to die from suicide than a workplace accident