Hungry Jacks: The year that was...

Robyn Ward • 17 September 2015
Hungry Jacks and the year that was

Where has 2015 gone? We say it every year but it really seems to have flown by. Before the R U OK? team breaks for the festive season, I wanted to pause and reflect on the year that was.

R U OK? has had an incredible year – with support and participation in the campaign continuing to grow. The simplicity and effectiveness of asking, “Are you okay?” is resonating with millions of Australians, keen to do more to look out for one another and support each other through life’s ups and downs.

Here are just a few of our good news stories and achievements in 2015:

A new relationship with the AFL Players Association to run workshops with emerging leaders to strengthen peer-to-peer support in professional clubs.

A new partnership with Sensis Australia, with R U OK?’s ambassadors featured on the front page of 5 million Yellow Pages booklets distributed across Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

The launch of 60 'Conversation Corners' in schools across Australia (a park-bench and supporting activation materials); with thanks to funding from Sensis.

The extension of R U OK?’s partnership with Bristow Helicopters, including a number of site visits around R U OK?Day and the development of a booklet to help managers check in with staff working away from home.

A collaboration with the TrackSAFE Foundation and the Australian Rail Industry for Rail R U OK?Day on 16 April, now to be an annual event.

The engagement of hundreds of supporters running to raise funds and awareness for R U OK? in events such as City2Surf, Run Melbourne,

Bridge to Brisbane, and Canberra Marathon.

A new community partnership with Bondi Icebergs club.

Collaboration with the Australian Legal Profession to develop R U OK? at Law, encouraging members of the legal profession to look deeper to support a colleague.

Involvement as a Youth Forum Partner at the 2015 Garma Festival, thanks to support from the MLC Community Foundation.

A media conference with Sir Richard Branson, promoting the Virgin Mobile partnership and free calls on R U OK?Day, and the global relevance of the R U OK? message.

We travelled across Australia on the R U OK? Thanks for Asking bus tour. We visited and ran community events in Perth, Baldivis, Rockingham, Mandurah, Bunbury, Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Ceduna, Port Augusta, Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston, Ulverstone, Melbourne Yarrawong, Wagga Wagga, Gundagai, Canberra and Sydney. Thanks to our Principal Partner Hungry Jack’s, we heard and captured many inspiring stories, like Mark’s:

People often express surprise that R U OK? is comprised of only three full-time and three part-time staff. While this keeps us all incredibly busy, much of the team’s ability to succeed can be attributed to the amazing pro-bono support we get, and the crucial financial support of the Australian Government, Hungry Jack’s, Virgin Mobile, Bristow Helicopters and the community.

Everything we are able to achieve is underpinned by significant generosity and goodwill.

Importantly, R U OK?’s capacity to develop campaigns and resources that are effective, safe and empowering owes much to the incredible expertise we receive from our Scientific Advisory Group, Conversation Think Tank and our Creative Hub. Thank you to these individuals who provide their time freely and add real substance, depth and credibility to R U OK?’s initiatives.

I would also like to thank R U OK?’s Board for their support and guidance.

Finally, thank you to the incredible R U OK? team, who punch well above their weight – Rebecca Lewis (Campaign Director), Anastasia Symons (Campaign Manager), Fiona Nearn (Media and PR Manager), Lindy Hodgson (Community Engagement Manager), Louise Mullane (Office and Project Manager) and Dimitri Tricolas (Campaign Support). I also want to acknowledge the support of Maryanne Larkin and Anne-Marie Lewis who volunteered many hours during the busy months in the lead-up to R U OK?Day.

We recently bade farewell to Louise, who has twins on the way, and Fiona Nearn, who will be exploring new horizons. Both have made an outstanding contribution to R U OK? and will be sorely missed.

As we move into 2016, we look forward to a year where we will continue to inspire more Australians to have regular meaningful conversations and move closer to our vision of a world where everyone is connected and protected from suicide.

In the meantime, enjoy the festive season and have a wonderful break filled with genuine conversations with friends and family.

See you in the New Year!

Caring for yourself and others following traumatic events

14 December 2025
The recent incident in Sydney has left many feeling distressed and overwhelmed, and you may notice the children in your life are struggling too. Below, you’ll find advice from mental health experts on caring for your own wellbeing, and providing meaningful support to others in the days and weeks ahead. Talking to children about traumatic events Children are likely to have seen and heard distressing information about this incident. Ongoing news coverage, images and discussion can intensify feelings of anxiety, sadness and anger. The Child Mind Institute has published a practical guide to help parents and carers talk with children about traumatic events. The guide offers practical age-specific advice and has been developed by experts in child psychology, you can access this guide here . Events involving violence or serious harm can be especially difficult for children to understand or discuss. The guide focuses on helping children feel safe, supported and reassured, and encourages parents, carers or guardians to: Provide comfort and reassurance, including physical affection Remain calm and measured when discussing the event Maintain regular routines to restore a sense of normality Encourage play, connection and time with others Share honest, age-appropriate information from trusted sources Limit children’s exposure to news, especially younger children Listen patiently and validate children’s feelings Recognise that fear, anger, sadness or guilt are all normal reactions Looking after yourself, and supporting others Rachel Clements, R U OK? Advisor, and Director of Psychological Services at Centre for Corporate Health, said strong emotional reactions are normal and healthy for people of all ages following public acts of violence, even among those not directly impacted. “Some reactions that are incredibly normal are concern, shock, horror, disbelief. When that wears off sometimes, people experience stronger feelings, sometimes anger, despair, sadness, anxiety or fear-based behaviour."  Ms Clements advised that connecting with friends, sporting clubs, or workplace networks, and simply asking ‘are you OK?’, can play a key role in supporting people experiencing distress. "This event will disrupt the nervous system. One of the most important things we can do is stay connected, talk to each other and lean into supportive conversations,” Ms Clements said. She suggested starting a genuine conversation by asking questions such as: 'it's been tough watching this information coming to light, how are you feeling about it?’ “Then, all you’ve got to do is listen with empathy, without judgment or interruption, and just allow someone to talk about their experience and how they are feeling. When it is the right time in the conversation, you can then gently guide someone towards supportive actions, like doing some gentle exercise, staying connected with friends and family, or maintaining regular routines.” Ms Clements emphasised the importance of checking in again to ensure people have continued support. If you notice someone’s distress is ongoing for several weeks and begins to affect their work or social life, professional help should be encouraged. If you or the children in your care are experiencing ongoing distress, consider speaking with a doctor or another trusted healthcare provider. Free and professional 24/7counselling services are available, find contact details here . If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000. Ask R U OK? Any Day.

2025 with R U OK?

11 December 2025
This year, Australians continued to grow their confidence and capability to ask, 'are you OK?' any day of the year - reminding us how real connection and meaningful conversations can happen in the most ordinary, everyday moments. Across every age and stage of life, people helped normalise these important check-ins by looking out for one another, reducing stigma, and driving genuine change. Thanks to our supporters, awareness continues to expand in schools, workplaces, sporting clubs, and communities in every corner of Australia. Thank you to everyone who started conversations, and to everyone who supported the mission and work of R U OK?. Below is a short video which shares a glimpse of the activity made possible through collaboration. *Voice-over by former-CEO, Katherine Newton.

Connecting generations through conversation and storytelling

10 December 2025
From growing up on farms to a shared interest in history, Australians, young and old, are discovering just how much they have in common, and how storytelling can connect generations in unexpected ways. What’s bringing them together is 'Heart and Soul Story', a social enterprise that fosters intergenerational connections. Through its programs, young people and older generations come together in aged care homes and schools to share stories, build life skills, and prevent loneliness. At a recent session which encouraged everyone to Ask R U OK? Any Day, students visited an aged-care community with R U OK? Conversation Bingo cards, which feature prompts to spark humour, curiosity, and connection.
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