Hervey Bay embraces the R U OK? Conversation Convoy in beautiful Scarness Park

hello • 2 September 2018







Scarness Park was awash with yellow this afternoon, with the sounds of performers drawing a crowd to the waterside park.


Rotary Club Sunrise offered a free sausage sizzle while local community organisations welcomed residents and council representatives to the park. Flourish Australia, Red Cross, Relationships Australia, Mission Australia, My Health Record and other service providers talked with residents about the mental health and peer support services in the area, and gave out resources and freebies to take home.


Aunty Shirley Blake opened the formal proceedings with a welcome to country which included a minute silence to remember Elders who had passed. Deputy Mayor Darren Everard reminded residents that, “In rural areas, we need all the help we can get when it comes to encouraging our community to support and check in with each other.”

MP Keith Pitt representing the Division of Hinkler and Member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen shared their support of R U OK? noting that every day is the day to ask the question and encouraged a community that was committed to asking the question anytime it was needed.


R U OK? Ambassador Jacob Ridgeway got the crowd up and dancing as he reflected on music being his way to share stories and encouraged others to share theirs, especially in regional communities like Hervey Bay.


Local Invictus Games athlete, Daniel ‘Stix’ Parker, showed his support of R U OK? by participating in a moving Q&A. He described his depression as ‘hermit crab syndrome’ because, “I hid from everyone” he said. He shared that persistence and staying connected is important and to keep asking loved ones, “Are you OK?” even if those we care about are withdrawing. “A true friend will always be there and will listen” he said as he urged the youth of Hervey Bay to be true friends to each other.


Special guest R U OK? Ambassador, Luke Antony flew in from Sydney the morning of the event and performed a moving rendition of ‘True Colours’, for the crowd which included his mother and grandmother who’d travelled from Townsville to show their support. Luke explained how he stays connected even when separated from friends by distance. “I travel a lot but make sure I call my friends to check in, all the time” he said.


The afternoon concluded with colour and song courtesy of the choir and dance troupe of Xavier Catholic College who sang for the very first time live, the R U O K? song, ‘It’s OK!’ and another song titled ‘Cactus,’ which covered traits of resilience and acceptance of those who may be different.


Special thanks to Hervey Bay Council staff for their support and enthusiasm for the R U OK? Convo Convoy visit.


The Conversation Convoy continues its journey with next stop: Lismore (NSW).

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Announcement from the CEO, Katherine Newton

by Katherine Newton • 16 October 2025
After ten years of teamwork, partnerships, growth, and countless conversations, I will be stepping down as CEO from 1 December 2025. It has been an extraordinary privilege to contribute to the growth of this movement and to witness meaningful change before my eyes. Gavin Larkin founded R U OK? because he believed conversation has the power to change lives. One seemingly simple question, when asked with genuine intent and care, can start a meaningful and sometimes complex conversation. And that’s what Gavin wanted. For people to look beyond responses of “I’m fine” or “All good” and ask, “Are you really OK?”. The notion of going deeper with conversations, of asking a second time, of trusting our guts and moving past our hesitation - is being grasped and moving beyond one day to any day. Whilst saying “G’day how are you?” will always be a greeting - we can do more. When Gavin lost his father to suicide he wanted to try and protect other families from the pain his endured. He wanted to get people talking and having real chats about how they’re feeling with their mates, their family and their colleagues. In locker rooms, lunch rooms, and lounge rooms across the nation. But he approached it from a different angle. Gavin wanted all of us to have the confidence to support the people we care about who might be struggling with life. To make conversations a natural part of our behaviour, to openly show our signals of support. So as R U OK? generations continue to evolve, my chapter is coming to a close. How fortunate I am to have been part of the story. From hesitant glances during presentations in 2015 to queues of people waiting for a conversation in 2025. From yellow wigs in the office, to welcoming yellow-swathed Ambassadors to share their lived experience. From yellow coffee cups in a café, to yellow cars driving into communities nationwide. And yes, there’s been a few cupcakes along the way. Social change is happening, and we are all a part of it. No one organisation can prevent suicide, no one individual can save everyone - but the power of many can make a difference.
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