Connections and conversations as Convoy rolls in to Tassie
The current Tourism Tasmania campaign of ‘Come down for air’ set the scene for an important three weeks of conversations and connection as the R U OK? Conversation Convoy rolled off the Spirit of Tasmania and into Devonport for a 20-day trip around the island.
Linking up with local service providers, charities, and grassroots mental health and wellbeing initiatives, the Tassie leg of our Spring Convoy connected with community groups, councils, schools, TAFEs and more.
From Smithton in the Northwest to St Marys and St Helens in the Northeast near the Bay of Fires, and then down to Hobart before doubling back to Launceston, Burnie, Ulverstone and Devonport, more than 25 formal events were held throughout Tasmania, and many more drop ins, aimed at connecting with locals and encouraging R U OK? conversations.
Starting with a Locals Know Best workshop at the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation in Smithton our opening events saw more than 200 people attend, including wind farm engineers, artists, the crew from the local Men’s Shed, school groups, council members, Mayors past and present, local Aboriginal Elders, social workers and even a celebrity butcher of Master Chef fame – Josh ‘Pezza’ Perry - got in on the act providing sausages for the BBQ.
R U OK? Community Director Lach Searle said while it may have been a wet and windy start to the Tassie tour, the welcome from the locals couldn’t have been warmer.
"Less 10 days ago the people of Smithton and the wider Circular Head area were dealing with damaging storms of 80km winds, blocked roads due to fallen trees, hundreds of calls to the State Emergency Services and some residents still hadn’t had power reconnected to their homes. For R U OK? to receive such a warm welcome was a great way to start our Tassie leg of this Conversation Convoy and to connect with people in their hometown is always a special privilege, especially when you start to hear how much suicide impacts the community at large," said Lach.
"At St Marys District School we were invited to speak to all students from Year 7 to Year 10, breaking them into small groups for in-depth conversations about what it means to have an R U OK? culture at school, before then meeting parents and teachers at a School Open Farm Day, where the ‘Taste of Tassie was definitely on display in their paddock to plate set up."
"To hear of how so many students are benefiting from the practical learning of the farm skills and hospitality courses on offer, shows just how hard the school community is working to engage and encourage students in the Northeast of the state."
Students at St Marys District School had conversations about what it means to have an R U OK? culture at school
In Hobart the Convoy started with a presentation by R U OK? CEO Katherine Newton at TasTAFE for more than 150 trade and nursing students, supported by our partners Spirit Super and the ‘Be a Mate!’ campaign, before setting up the full activation at the world-famous Salamanca Markets on the Saturday.
Spending time with workers at the Bega Site Factory in the Lenah Valley was also a highlight, with Katherine joined by Maryanne Larkin for a Q&A, as well as a Workplace Champions Breakfast for more than 60, followed by Assembly Talks and Workshops at Sacred Heart College in Newtown for Year 7 to Year 10.
“From chatting with teachers and students at TAFE Tasmania, to meeting locals and tourists at Salamanca Markets, it’s been lovely connecting with people her in Tassie, and very special to have Maryanne join us as well for this part of the Convoy,” said Katherine.
“To see the level of engagement and connection from workplaces in particular, is just another strong indicator that an R U OK? culture is becoming more and more common across the country. And that only happens thanks to the leadership and support from people like Matthew Richman (Tasmanian Emergency Services), Alice Morris (WorkSafe Tasmania) and David Roberts (Spirit Super) who were guests on our Workplace Champions Breakfast panel.”
Council workers in Ulverstone, Tasmania, joined for R U OK? for a BBQ breakfast
From Hobart the Convoy headed north to Launceston to link up with the team from Stay Chatty for a session at Prospect High School and then an event in Ulverstone with the crew from Mr Perfect and Men Care Too Northwest Mates Community BBQ Lunch.
Linking up with R U OK? Community Ambassador Greg and the team from ‘Men Care Too’ was a great way to start our last Sunday in Tassie with what’s believed to be an R U OK? first with the local bakery creating a ‘Conversation Pie’ … with yellow filling.
Public BBQs organised by the Welcome Cultural Services in Devonport, and Central Coast Council rounded out a hugely successful Tasmanian Conversation Convoy.
From spring lambs to ‘Conversation Pies’ a huge thanks to our volunteer R U OK? Community Ambassadors, Chris, Greg and Mitch for their ongoing support and help in encouraging R U OK? conversations in their communities, and a special thanks also to Maryanne Larkin and all the crew and staff for the conversations and connections made in Tasmania this year.
See where the Conversation Convoy is headed next here.
