SISTERS, Katrina and Cassandra Drake knew their father, Errol was struggling but no one could have foreseen the terrible outcome.
Errol was struggling with the impact of the worsening drought when he headed off to check waters in 2004 but the day wasn't unusual and no one was overly concerned.
A Dululu cattle producer, husband and father of two, Mr Drake, didn't check the waters, he pulled up just outside the local pub and sat quietly resting against the ute tyre.
His mates at the pub noticed him and thought he must have been waiting for someone.
They didn't hear the gunshot that ended Errol's life but ten years later, they, like his daughters, Katrina and Cassie are left with the heartbreak and questions.
"I'll always wonder what he was thinking and was he in pain?" eldest daughter, Katrina Brown said.
"I think he choose that spot so Mum and Cass wouldn't find him and I also wonder if he was hoping for someone to come out and stop him."
Suicide rates in rural and remote regions of Australia are significantly higher than the national average rate and researchers know there are a number of contributing factors including economic and financial hardship, easier access to the means to commit suicide and social isolation.
Policy, research and evaluation leader at Beyond Blue, Dr Stephen Carbone said suicide was still way too common in Australia and the figures were a national tragedy.
"There are many factors that contribute to our suicide rates but mental health and depression are probably the biggest."
The impact of droughts and the financial repercussions are well-known triggers for depression in rural Queenslanders and men like Errol Drake are susceptible to a fear of acknowledging a perceived weakness.
"A lot of people don't recognise depression, don't know what to do about it and can feel embarrassed about getting assistance," Dr Carbone said.
Put simply, prevention of suicide can be as simple as talking and in the absence of an abundance of professional counsellors in rural and remote regions of Australia, rural Queenslanders have got a range of solutions on offer including telephone and online counselling services.
"There are two parts to assisting people who may be doing it tough.
"The first is each and everyone in the community looking out for each other.
"We need to ask each other, are you OK?
"We also need people to realise for themselves there is help available and talk to someone."
Errol could have been a poster boy for struggling cattle producers and it's that why his death resonated across Queensland.
He was 45 years old at the time of his death and was survived by his then 41 year old wife, Judy, and 18 and 12-year-old daughters, Katrina and Cassie.
Born in Mackay and raised on cane farms near Mirani and Gin Gin, Errol and his brother, Iain, in partnership with the their parents, Gordon and Daphne realised a life-long dream and purchased Telemark, a breeder block at Eidsvold to start their own Brahman based breeding herd.
"Everyone was getting a start together," Mrs Brown said.
In 1987, seeking better country the family relocated to a brigalow block, Tandarra, near Middlemount.
"Mum and Dad have always worked off farm and run the cattle on the weekends but when Granddad (Gordon) died from a heart attack at Tandarra in 1998, Dad decided he wanted to be his own boss eventually and not have to keep contracting so in January 2014, we sold Tandarra."
The injection of more than a million dollars into his bank account and the subsequent twelve month search for a new block was some of the happiest memories the two Drake sisters have of their father.
"Dad was a millionaire with money in the bank.
"He put on weight and was just really happy."
The purchase of the 5000 acre block, Caringa near Dululu was the start of a stressful return to reality for Mr Drake but no one could foresee the impending tragedy.
"All of sudden there was a debt and it just seemed like everything was against them and that's when he stopping coping so well.
"We were pumping lick down cattle's necks and there was a lot of repair work to be done."
"Dad had to spend a lot more money than he wanted too but he felt he had no other choice."
Errol's daughters are finally comfortable enough to openly discuss the loss of their father and the devastating impacts of his death.
"These blokes have just got to start talking about their feelings," Mrs Brown said.
"Dad was in such a dark place that he couldn't see or think about us and how much we loved him.
"We could have helped him.
"Everyone has someone that can help them."
If you would like to talk to a counsellor for assistance or to discuss a loved one's struggle please ring 1300 22 46 36 or go to www.beyondblue.org.au.