R U OK? rolls in to Townsville for second last event on the Conversation Convoy
R U OK?'s four yellow SUV's rolled on to the lawns of Strand Park in Townsville today for the second last event in a six-week convoy that has taken the suicide prevention charity nearly 14,000 km across Australia.
The Convoy was greeted by balmy ocean breezes and sunny skies in the tropical far north Queensland, town.
CEO Brendan Maher welcomed around 120 guests to the event that included activations based on embedding the four steps to starting a life changing conversation.
Ask, Listen, Encourage action and Check in.
Mental health service providers like Townsville Suicide Prevention Network, VVCS, Mates in Construction, Healthecare, Standby, and Rural and Remote Mental Health had stands at the event to highlight services available to anyone locally who might be going through a rough patch.
Other guests included Professor Gracelyn Smallwood, JCU Townsville Fire basketball team members, Invictus Games team member Davin Bretherton and the Army’s 1RAR band.
The local Townsville Northern Suburb Lions Club kept the masses fed and watered with a BBQ.
Maher spoke about the importance of checking in with friends and loved ones, especially in towns where services were sometimes difficult to access. He said the R U OK? team wanted to show all Australians they have a set of resources at hand to check in with anyone they might be worried about.
“We already have assets available to us, those being our eyes, ears and mouths which are sometimes held hostage by fear and stigma,” he said.
The event was officially opened by Councillor Les Walker and Mayor Jenny Hill welcomed the Convoy to Townsville.
Cr Hill reiterated the importance of the Townsville community asking the question of anyone they might be worried about to reduce the rising rates of suicide in Townsville and across Australia.
Maher then conducted a Q&A with R U OK? Ambassadors ‘Commando’ Steve Willis and former local comedian and actor, Steven Oliver.
The Convo Convoy will hit the road to Cairns tomorrow for their final event which will culminate in a R U OK? Rocks Cairns concert at Soundshell on the Esplanade in Cairns on R U OK?Day, Thursday September 14.
The event will kick off at 7.30am and conclude around 11am.
For support at any time of day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Lisa Minner: [email protected] or 0456 475 033
