| Held in Sydney by suicide prevention organisation R U OK?, the Awards recognise efforts to create a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide across five categories; Workplace, Education, Community, Conversation Champion and Young Conversation Champion.
The panel took the time to celebrate Stephen Dowling’s significant contribution to suicide prevention work which has opened up the conversation for many in regional, rural and remote communities.
“We were truly inspired by the work of all the nominees for the inaugural Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards. The support of the community is invaluable in helping us to spread the R U OK? message and it’s important that we let them know how much we appreciate their contribution,”
said Katherine Newton, CEO R U OK?
“Stephen’s work spreading the R U OK? message within regional, rural and remote communities has delivered real impact, encouraging others to have regular, meaningful conversations and invest more time in the people around them.”
Raised in an isolated mining town, Stephen saw firsthand the impact of mental illness in remote locations. Stephen is passionate about building the capacity of individuals, families, organisations and communities to provide peer to peer support.
Working with National Rural Independence, Stephen has been able to identify high risk farming communities around Australia and respond by running R U OK? Mateship and Mental Health First Aid workshops. Since 2018, workshops have been delivered at Lake Bolac, Toowoomba, Port Lincoln, Eyre Peninsula, Dry Creek, York Peninsula and Esperance.
Stephen gratefully accepted the Award with his proud wife Kimberlea looking on.
"As we all know, achievements are never individual achievements. Over the years I've been supported by many people across Australia, in cities, regional and remote areas. Importantly for me, I'd like to thank my wife Kimberlea and our daughters Sarah and Rachel, espeically for the times when the phone rings, as it regularly does, across weekends, meal times and after hours. Kimberlea, Sarah and Rachel proivde me with the love and support which enables me to help many others," said Dowling.
"Whilst I'm proud to win this Award, I look forward to continuing to share and learn with others with one single focus in mind, that is, to continually reduce the risk of suicide, and encourage help seeking behaviour in the many communities that we serve."
The Awards also celebrated the life of Barbara Hocking OAM (d. 2016), one of Australia's leading advocates for people affected by mental illness.
“ Barbara’s leadership and achievements positively changed how people living with mental illness and their families are treated and regarded,”
said R U OK? Chair Mike Connaghan of Ms Hocking’s legacy.
“These Awards honour Barbara’s lifelong commitment to peer-to-peer support, highlighting the opportunity we all have to start a meaningful conversation with someone we feel might be struggling with life. She was the first person from the mental health sector who believed in the merit the R U OK? mission to break down stigma and encourage more meaningful conversations.”
Details of all categories, finalists and winners for The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards can be found on the R U OK? website at www.ruok.org.au/barbara-hocking-memorial-award
About the Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards:
The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards are organised by suicide prevention organisation R U OK? and recognise those who help create a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide.
Barbara Hocking OAM (d. 2016) was one of Australia's leading advocates for people affected by mental illness. Her leadership and achievements positively changed how people living with mental illness and their families are treated and regarded. Barbara was the first full-time Executive-Director of SANE Australia - a national charity working for a better life for all people affected by mental illness through education and support, applied research and campaigning for improved services and attitudes. As well as being a Director of SANE Australia, she also served on the boards of Mental Health Australia and R U OK?
The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards aim to:
- recognise and celebrate the people and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to support R U OK? in their community
- inspire others to support R U OK?
- encourage others to have regular meaningful conversations and invest more time in the people around them.
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