Newcastle networks greet the Conversation Convoy

hello • 7 September 2018











Local residents, business representatives, media and suicide prevention networks met in Civic Park this morning to hear how the power of conversation can change a life.


Luke Russell gave a welcome to country and provided insights into traditional greetings in local language. Timothy Crakanthorp MP shared his personal experience of losing a friend to suicide, and reminded others to ask “Are you OK?” whenever you spot the signs someone isn’t quite themselves, “Today and every other day make sure you look after your loved ones and if you have an intuition, ask them” he said.


Guests were encouraged to consider taking an hour out of their busy lives to participate in free suicide prevention training ‘QPR’ in conjunction with the Black Dog Institute. Everymind director, Jaelea Skehan, explained the local initiatives that are underway, “Let’s talk Newcastle is helping our community build a safety net for people. We want to empower our community. We are all in this together, there are plenty of people who are doing it tough. The more connected we are with each other, the more we can help each other” she said.


Special guests R U OK? Ambassadors, Casey Donovan and Tanya Hennessy, shared their personal experiences of anxiety and how checking in with loved ones can make a difference any day of the year. “Life isn't perfect. We all have life's ups and downs and we can all ask #RUOK. To be able to touch someone's life like that, I can't begin to put it into words”, Casey said.


Tanya shared her reasons for becoming involved with R U OK? “I'm involved for several reasons - I heard the stats and wanted to use my voice to do something about it. When you talk about it, it automatically is different. Being heard by my boyfriend, made a difference. It meant I got help.”


The Lions Club of Newcastle cooked a free breakfast for all those in attendance, and cuppas flowed whilst Munro, R U OK?’s guest black dog mascot, delighted all including representatives from The Way Back Support Service, headspace, Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Network and Life Without Barriers who gave advice on local support services.


Special thanks to the staff at Everymind for their unwavering support and guidance.


The Conversation Convoy continues its journey with next stop: Young (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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