Tracksafe: First ever Rail R U OK?Day takes industry by storm

Robyn Ward • 27 April 2015

On 16 April, the TrackSAFE Foundation and R U OK? initiated an industry specific R U OK? campaign for over 110,000 workers in the rail, transport and storage sector.

R U OK?Day takes industry by storm

The campaign was embraced by over 20 stakeholders in the industry, including broader involvement from companies with a direct relationship to the sector (such as Bluescope Steel and Volkswagen Australia).

As an industry affected too often by suicide and other trauma, Rail R U OK?Day was a great campaign to help remind workers about the importance of looking out for one another.

Events and activities took place in over 60 locations and at the heart of the day was a invitation to all staff to make ,meaningful conversations between workmates a way of life.

R U OK? Community Ambassador Justin Geange helped spread the message by sharing his story at a number of events in the lead up to and on 16 April. Justin, a former Queensland Rail worker, inspired many people with his own experience of surviving a suicide attempt and getting through a very challenging time in his life.

As the first industry-led initiative of its type, Rail R U OK?Day strongly supports R U OK?’s strategy to encourage regular, meaningful conversations 365 days of the year.

“R U OK? is committed to working with industry to ensure that everyone who has the capacity to ask “are you okay?” will do so,” said R U OK? General Manager Brendan Maher.

“This campaign was embraced enthusiastically by senior management and provides a great blueprint for other sectors to follow suit,” said Brendan.

“R U OK? Is committed to working with industry, communities and organisations to improve the connections we have with each other and reduce the tragic impact of suicide.”

To find out more, watch this video: https://youtu.be/ww0ekZ0J_Hs


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.
Michelle Heyman on the field.
8 October 2025
Matildas forward Michelle Heyman talks about how one of the most challenging transitions of her life became the most transformative, thanks to the support of her fiancée Christine.
Five R U OK? Community Ambassadors pose in park wearing black and yellow R U OK? t shirts
25 September 2025
It’s Mental Health Month. Here’s what you can do to connect with your community, look after your mental health and support someone who might be struggling.
Show More