Olympic legend unveils first-ever community Conversation Corner

hello • 7 September 2016

R U OK? Ambassador and Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett will attend the unveiling of the first-ever community Conversation Corner at BRAG Park, in Bundaberg on R U OK?Day (Thursday 8 September).

Conversation Corners were first launched in secondary schools in 2015, and included a specially-designed R U OK? bench accompanied by an activation plan to bring students, teachers and carers together to design a space for the bench to feature in. The Conversation Corners initiative was designed by R U OK? to serve as an ongoing reminder for students to be there for one another.

Bundaberg Regional Council approached R U OK? about the possibility of partnering with the organisation to see the initiative introduced in the Bundaberg CBD area – a request R U OK? CEO Brendan Maher was delighted to support.

“We want to remind people every day that they’ve got what it takes to be there for someone doing it tough,” Brendan said. “We’re delighted that Bundaberg Regional Council has taken the initiative to help champion the all-important question ‘are you ok?’ in their community.”

“We encourage other communities to follow Bundaberg’s lead and to create more spaces for people to have these regular, meaningful conversations on R U OK?Day and throughout the year.”

Brendan said the Council has set the wheels in motion for other Australian cities and towns to follow.

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey said the bench represented the important role a simple conversation could play in helping a friend, family member or colleague cope with emotional and personal issues.

“We’re delighted to be the first Council to take this great initiative into the community,” Mayor Dempsey said

“I would encourage all members of the community to take advantage of the conversation bench and I hope it serves as a reminder of the great impact one simple question can have on someone’s life.”

Mayor Dempsey said he was thrilled R U OK? Ambassador Libby Trickett is visiting the region to unveil the bench.

“We can’t wait to welcome Libby to Bundaberg and we’re so pleased she’s volunteered her time to travel for this important iniative,” he said.

Libby said, “I’m really excited to be representing R U OK? in Bundaberg and to be a part of the unveiling of the first public Conversation Corner.

“It’s so important that we encourage our communities, friends, team mates and families to support each other and check in; this will certainly encourage more meaningful conversations.

“We live in a society that makes it so easy to disconnect or to lose touch with people, the Conversation Corner is a really powerful way to help combat that.”

The R U OK? Conversation Corner will be launched on September 8 from 11am to noon in BRAG Park, Barolin Street.

For support at any time of day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For more info, visit ruok.org.au.

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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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