Gold Coast Local Pedals His Way to Suicide Prevention Award
Gold Coast local Matt Hockings has received the ‘Conversation Leader’ Award at the 2025 Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards.
The awards recognise efforts to create a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide across four categories: Workplace, Education, Community and Conversation Leader.
The judging panel recognised Mr Hockings for his outstanding contribution to suicide prevention, particularly through his grassroots cycling campaigns, personal outreach, and unwavering commitment to the R U OK? message.
Over the past four years, Mr Hockings has cycled thousands of kilometres across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. He has raised over $30,000 for R U OK?, handed out more than 4,000 yellow wristbands, and sparked countless conversations in regional communities. His rides have taken him through towns such as Boonah, Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and Paynesville, where locals have welcomed him with community barbecues, school cheers, and heartfelt stories.
Mr Hockings’ journey began with a simple gesture: handing out R U OK? wristbands. That act of connection grew into annual cycling challenges, including his most recent 2,000km ride from the Gold Coast to Melbourne. Along the way, he has stopped at workplaces and schools, sharing the R U OK? message and encouraging people to check in with one another year round.
In announcing the award, James Maskey, a previous Barbara Hocking Memorial Award recipient and member of this year’s judging panel, spoke to the significance of Matt’s efforts.
"Matt Hockings lives the R U OK? message every day. His rides are more than physical challenges, they are journeys of connection, compassion, and courage," he said.
"Through every wristband handed out and every conversation started, Matt reminds us that asking, ‘are you OK?’ is a conversation for any day, and that regular meaningful conversation really can, and do, change lives."
