R U OK? Conversation Convoy rolls in to Kalgoorlie for two events

hello • 16 August 2017

THE mining town of Kalgoolie was the latest to host R U OK?’s Conversation Convoy. The Convoy consists of four yellow SUV’s along with Rural and Remote Mental Health who have collaborated to join the convoy.

The Evolution Mining Group had an early morning event where R U OK? CEO Brendan Maher spoke about the need for colleagues to check in and support each other particularly given the nature of Fly-in Fly-out work.

He also noted that 75 per cent of Australians who take their lives were men and reinforced the need to stay connected with family and friends given they were the people who generally acted as our support network when we were doing it tough.

“There are plenty of ways to keep our social circles tight, especially as we get older. Women seem to be a bit better at maintaining their connections than men,” he said.

“If we haven’t spoken to a mate in a while, we can normally go back to where we left off, but the longer we leave it, the harder it can be to make that call.”

“If you’re travelling in a car put your mate on speaker and have a chat, make an effort to keep those friendships active.”

“We often forget we have the resources within us to support a mate who might be struggling, these are our eyes, ears and mouths and being prepared to ask the question if we notice someone doesn’t seem their usual self.”

The second community event was held at Kingsbury Park where mental health support services turned out to showcase ways they can support their community.

Organisations participated like headspace, Mens Shed, Mates for Mates, Anglicare, RedCross, YMCA, Hope Community Services and Oasis Rec. Centre.

The Conversation Convoy will head off from Norseman Wednesday, Aug 16 and cover the Nullarbor Plain before arriving in South Australia

The Conversation Convoy finishes on R U OK?Day, 14 September in Cairns, Queensland, with ‘R U OK? Rocks Cairns’, a concert featuring some great Aussie talent and ambassadors such as Ben Lee and Travis Collins, to celebrate the end of their journey on R U OK?’s biggest day.

Head to www.ruok.org.au/conversation-convoy to track the journey or find a local event

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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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