Rail R U OK?Day 2019

hello • 17 April 2019

It’s official, the numbers are in, a grand total of 51,370 rail employees from across Australia and New Zealand participated in this year's Rail R U OK?Day held Thursday 11 April.




The TrackSAFE Foundation and R U OK? were delighted to hear all the ways in which the day was celebrated; from morning teas, BBQ’s and free massages for employees to trivia, team building exercises and special visits from therapy dogs.

Most notably, TrackSAFE learnt of the numerous reports from rail employees sharing their own stories of being genuinely supported by work-mates and how that helped them negotiate tough periods.

Stories were also shared by those who had reached out to others and asked the question “are you ok?”. These stories cement the notion that trusting your gut instinct and starting a conversation with a work-mate who you feel might not seem themselves can be life-changing. By giving rail employees the skills and confidence to see the signs a work-mate is struggling and reach out to them, we hope to strengthen the scaffolding around those who are going through tough times and help them access appropriate support long before they’re in crisis.

The Foundation places so much importance on this major initiative for this very reason and TrackSAFE and R U OK? are proud to see Rail R U OK?Day become such a success. While Rail R U OK?Day is over for another year, the messages and conversations don’t stop; they should continue to thrive all year round.

Let’s make everyday Rail R U OK?Day.



Quentin on the Rail Conversation Convoy

In the eight-week lead up to Rail R U OK?Day, TrackSAFE and R U OK? sent ‘Quentin’, an interactive digital question mark on a relay-style trip, travelling across to New Zealand and to every Australian state and territory.

Quentin was busy issuing educational and informative challenges to encourage conversations between work-mates. Quentin started his journey in Auckland New Zealand, visiting Transdev Auckland then travelled to Queensland to visit Bombardier.

Following this Quentin visited Roy Hill in Welshpool Western Australia then Pacific National sites at Tighes Hills, Parkes, Wollongong, Rockhampton, Mackay, Bowen, Newcastle and Gunnedah.

Quentin then made a stop at Rydalmere NSW visiting Thales followed by a visit to Sydney’s CBD with Transdev Sydney. Quentin ended the conversation convoy with Sydney Trains taking him to over 30 of their sites.

From the many photos shared with TrackSAFE it is obvious Quentin had a wonderful time helping to connect individuals within workplaces and generate meaningful conversations.

Take a look at the range of materials available at https://tracksafefoundation.com.au/rail-ruok-day/

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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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