A week after her daughter’s first birthday, pregnant Tess Goode, 33, said goodbye to her partner as he set off on a solo camping trip.
A happy family life awaited her with the man she planned to marry, her daughter Ava, and her soon-to-arrive second baby.
But he never came home.
Brendan Hancock, 33, known as Brenny, from Murphy’s Creek in western Victoria, died by suicide in the early hours of the morning of July 1.
Mr Hancock’s family reported him missing after he failed to show up for work and they were unable to contact him.
Friends have rallied in support of his heavily pregnant partner Tess Goode, 33, and have organised a GoFundMe Page to help ease the financial burden as you prepare to raise two children under the age of two on your own.
“Brendan was the sole breadwinner for his family,” the page said.
Brendan Hancock (pictured left) took his own life on a camping trip earlier this month.
‘He was a devoted and loving partner and father, and a friend to all who knew him.
“He put others first and always offered a helping hand to anyone in need. He has certainly left a huge void in many hearts.”
Narelle Taylor, a friend of the couple, launched the fundraiser with another friend “to bring hope to a family in need.”
She said she couldn’t imagine how daunting it must be to care for two babies after experiencing such a horrific loss.
“I know Tess would be grateful for any help, even a small amount would mean a lot,” Taylor told Daily Mail Australia.
“If a few people here and there donate $5, it adds up.”
Ms Goode worked as a nurse before becoming a stay-at-home mother, but has now been forced to rely on Centrelink for the first time in her life.
Mr Hancock was a shearer who worked tirelessly to support his family, but often had to take on other jobs to make ends meet during the rainy months.
Mr Hancock (pictured) was a country boy who worked as a shearer and dreamed of buying a small house in the country for his family.
The couple moved in with Ms. Goode’s mother, where they planned to stay for a few years while saving for a wedding and a small house in the country to call their own.
Mrs. Goode hopes that one day she will be able to secure a place where she can raise her children.
“Tess is clearly going through a difficult time,” Taylor explained.
“She’s looking at a single woman’s future, so she doesn’t feel good… and having to give birth to a baby without him present, it’s very sad.”
Ms Taylor said she hopes to raise awareness about men’s mental health to “prevent any of our men losing their lives in this sad way”.
She also said that “there would have been many, many, many people who would have been there to help him” if they had known how much he was “struggling.”
“Eight Australians die every day by suicide – that’s too many,” he said.
“We all need to talk to each other and consult with each other.”
A fundraiser has been organised to help Tess Goode (pictured right), who is 32 weeks pregnant with her second child.
She urged anyone struggling with mental health issues to seek support.
“You can call a friend day or night… and some people may not have someone they think they can call, but there’s Lifeline and things like that,” Taylor said.
‘Just make the call. Let someone know.
‘Brendan was very well-liked and if he had made a call I don’t think this would have happened.’
The unexpected news of Mr Hancock’s passing has devastated his family and friends, who said he will be “deeply missed”.
“He was a well-known member of the community and had a great knowledge of the area,” Taylor said.
“He was a really good kid with his whole life ahead of him.”
A funeral was held at the Murphy’s Creek Fire Station Thursday morning.
For 24-hour confidential support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Mr Hancock’s life was honoured at a funeral on Thursday
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