Virgin Mobile: It’s time to put the voice back into conversations

Robyn Ward • 26 August 2014

Founder of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, says that a phone call is the next best thing to a face-to-face conversation and encourages all Australians to reach out to loved ones this R U OK?Day.

R U OK? A conversation could change a life

Virgin Mobile Australia is the R U OK? ‘Conversation Partner’ and wants to inspire as many people as possible to get in touch with someone they care about and rediscover the power of conversations.

The campaign is the latest example of Virgin Mobile’s commitment to ‘Making mobile better’ which launched in July.

The telco is offering their customers free national voice calls within Australia on R U OK?Day (11 September 2014), as well as running an integrated media campaign involving out of home, digital, rich mobile executions and commuter press. Live reads will also run on major national radio networks ARN, DMG and Southern Cross Austereo on 11 September.

Director of Brand and Communications, Nicole Bardsley, said this partnership will help the telco transform trivial mobile behaviours into something more meaningful.

“These days, we have a tendency to send a quick text or post to someone’s Facebook wall instead of picking up the phone. And while social media is amazing at facilitating regular contact with the people in our lives, the nature of the medium can sometimes get in the way of having powerful and in depth conversations, which can be so important to our relationships.”

Watch Sir Richard Branson's message for all Aussies here.

For more information on Virgin Mobile’s partnership with R U OK?, visit: makingmobilebetter.com.au.

Students reflect on meaningful connection through R U OK? National Student Art Competition

12 November 2025
Collages of life’s joys, portraits of loved ones, cultural celebrations, and reflections on the barriers to connection - the Creative Legends and Finalists of the R U OK? National Art Competition expressed creativity, vulnerability and individuality through their incredible artwork.
A montage of images of people in relationships

Why support matters when relationships end

30 October 2025
Relationships shape our lives so when any meaningful relationship ends, the loss can be deeply personal and painful. 

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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