Hungry Jacks: The year that was...

Robyn Ward • Sep 17, 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!


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