Jason’s full

By Nicole Williams
Jason Waugh started the Knight of Metal band night while still at high school, and part of Dandenong’s Muso Network, after getting his nose out of joint about the lack of heavy metal gigs in the area.
The band night became an annual event in Dandenong but there were no plans to hold another gig this year.
At 21, Jason was battling mental illness when he committed suicide in February, and his friends from Muso Network will hold the heavy metal gig in his memory again next week.
All money raised will be donated to One in 5, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness for mental illness.
Jason’s sister Rachael and friend Rachel Monty have been the driving force behind the upcoming event after the idea was planted by friends.
“I was talking to friends and everyone said we needed to do Knight of Metal for him,” Ms Monty said.
“So here we are.”
Ms Waugh said Jason was a larrikin and very outgoing but in the months before his death he battled bipolar type two and depression.
“He changed from a larrikin to being really quiet,” she said.
“He started to get down and wasn’t himself.”
Both said the event was important, not just to honour Jason, but for other young people who might be suffering.
“We felt it was important to hold the event because as you get older you don’t talk about those ‘bad mood’ feelings as much,” Ms Monty said.
“People will come to the event for the music but we will say that you’re here for a reason.”
While organising the event, friends from their time with Muso Network have pulled together to make sure the all-ages event goes off without a hitch.
“We’re so humbled that everyone has pulled together,” Ms Monty said.
“The support has been wonderful.”
Ms Monty and Ms Waugh wanted to thank the support of the Muso Network, City of Greater Dandenong Council for donating the venue, Insight Security for providing security services and the bands for donating their time.
Knight of Metal will be held at 7pm on Saturday 20 August at The Castle in Dandenong.
The drug and alcohol free event will include performances by Death of Art, Divine Ascension, Silent Rose, Bury the Fallen and Cold Divide.
Entry is $10 and all money raised will be donated to One in 5.
Anyone feeling depressed or alone should call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (1800 18 7263).