Thousands made their way to Poidevin Oval for the rugby event, organised in memory of the wellloved Hugo Cunningham, to raise awareness of suicide and the importance of mateship.

“I thought the day was absolutely outstanding and it was very humbling to see so many people there in support and on the same wavelength,” Mrs Cunningham said on Monday.

Goulburn Mates Rate Day 2014 | Photos

In what was icing on the cake for the Cunningham family, both Goulburn rugby grades notched convincing wins against the Yass Rams.

Second Grade, which included Cunningham brothers Oscar and Giles (in their first time playing alongside one-another), won 39 to nil, while the firsts dominated with a mammoth 74 points to five.

Some $6570 was raised throughout the day in gate-takings, donations and the post-game auction.

Funds will go towards the provision of hour-long OzHelp alert training for members of the Goulburn sporting and trades community over various dates, to funding next year’s Mates Rate day and to providing financial support for local families in need.

“If there are some young men who want to play rugby that are young in the Tablelands’ agegroup and there is financial hardship then we can provide support for that person through the mates rate to engage them into sports,” Mrs Cunningham explained.

About $4500 of the total takings was the direct result of a popular auction in the afternoon, where the specially designed second grade jerseys were sold to the highest bidder.

“The heat is on now for next year’s jersey… They were hot property,” Mrs Cunningham said.

The jerseys featured ‘Mates Rate 2014’ on the front and ‘In memory of Hugo Cunningham’ on the sleeve. The snakes and ladder design, while light-hearted in appearance carried a more serious undertone.

“I suppose life is very similar to a board game of snakes and ladders,” Mrs Cunningham explained.

“It’s easy to go down that snake which is curving and quick but it’s a hell of a lot harder to climb back up the ladder. The Club holds that ladder and it’s allowed us to basically climb back up. The snakes and ladder thing does have a bittersweet message.”

While the money raised will be put to good use, Mrs Cunningham said financial takings fall secondary to the message of the day – learning signs of struggle and lending support to your mates.

While the event might be over for another year, the message is timeless.

“This was really heartening because it was the second year and sometimes you think that when a tragic event happens time goes on for people whether you like it or not but the message is still strong and clear about the taking of your life and the repercussions that it has, and its far reaching.

“All we want to do is have enough to roll over, support local ventures, keep the momentum going and the dream alive.”