Young mum left devastated as her partner leaves on a solo 'camping trip' - never to be seen again

A week after her daughter's first birthday, a pregnant Tess Goode, 33, said goodbye to her partner as he left for a solo camping trip. 

A happy family life beckoned with the man she planned to marry, daughter Ava and soon-to-arrive second baby.

But he never came home. 

Brendan Hancock, 33, known as Brenny, from Murphy's Creek in Victoria's west, died by suicide in the early hours of the morning on July 1.

Mr Hancock's family had reported him missing after he failed to show up at work and was unable to be reached.  

Friends have rallied around his heavily pregnant partner, Tess Goode, 33, and set up a GoFundMe Page to help ease the financial burden as she prepares to raise two kids under the age of two on her own. 

'Brendan was the sole provider for his family,' the page read.

'He was a devoted, loving partner and father, and a friend to all who knew him.

'He put others first, and would always lend a hand to anyone in need. He's certainly left a ginormous hole in so 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 could scarcely imagine how daunting it must be to care for two babies after experiencing such a horrible loss.  

'I know that Tess would be grateful for any help, even a small amount would mean so much,' Ms Taylor told Daily Mail Australia. 

'If a few people here and there give $5, that adds up.' 

Ms Goode worked as a nurse before becoming a stay-at-home mum, but now she has been forced to rely on Centrelink for the first time in her life.  

Mr Hancock was a shearer who worked tirelessly to provide for his family, but he often had to take on other jobs to make ends meet during the wetter months.

The pair moved in with Ms Goode's mother, where they planned to stay for a few years, while they saved for a wedding and a little home in the bush to call their own. 

Ms Goode hopes she will eventually be able to get that place where she will be able to raise her children.

'Tess is obviously really struggling,' Ms Taylor explained. 

'She's staring down the barrel of a single future, so she doesn't feel good... and having to deliver a baby without him there, it's all very sad.' 

Ms Taylor said she hopes to raise awareness about men's mental health to 'prevent any of our men losing their lives this sad way'. 

She also said 'there would have been many, many, many people that would have been there to help him' if they had known how much he was 'battling'.

'Eight Australians die every day by suicide - it's too many,' she said.

'We all need to talk to each other and check in with each other.'

She urged anyone struggling with their mental heath to reach out for support. 

'You can call a friend day or night... and some people might not have someone they think they can call but there's Lifeline and things like that,' Ms Taylor said.

'Just make the call. Let someone know. 

'Brendan was extremely loved, and had he had just 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 really missed'. 

'He was a really known member of the community out here and he had a wealth of knowledge of the area,' Ms Taylor said.

'He was just a really good young fella with his whole life ahead of him.'  

A funeral service was held at Murphy's Creek Fire Station on Thursday morning. 

For confidential 24-hour support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.