The 2023 Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards

Recognising those in the community who help create a world where we’re all connected and are protected from suicide

Barbara Hocking OAM

Barbara Hocking OAM (d. 2016) was one of Australia's leading advocates for people affected by mental illness.

Her leadership and achievements leave a lasting legacy in how people living with mental illness and their families are treated and regarded.

Barbara was the first full-time Executive Director of SANE Australia - a national charity working for a better life for all people affected by mental illness through education and support, applied research and campaigning for improved services and attitudes. As well as being a Director of SANE Australia, she also served on the Board of Mental Health Australia and R U OK?

The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards aim to:

recognise and celebrate the people and organisations who have made an outstanding effort to support R U OK? in their community
inspire others to support R U OK?
encourage others to have regular meaningful conversations and invest more time in the people around them.

The 2023 awards recognise outstanding contribution to suicide prevention across five categories:

Workplace
Education
Community
Young Conversation Leader
Conversation Leader

2023 BARBARA HOCKING MEMORIAL AWARDS VIRTUAL CEREMONY

Congratulations to the 2023 Barbara Hocking Memorial Award winners.

We’ve been inspired by the efforts of all the nominees who have encouraged people to meaningfully connect, have R U OK? conversations and lend support to the people in their word who may be struggling with life’s ups and downs.

The 2023 Barabara Hocking Memorial Award Winners

2023 WINNERS

WORKPLACE

Winner

Rozelle Interchange Project

Finalists

HVTC Group
Jamie Mallinder
Michael Cristiano

COMMUNITY

Winner

Nigel Gould

Finalists

James Alexander
Feros Care
Sunnybank Men's Shed

EDUCATION

Winner

Allendale East Area School

Finalists

Nikole Brooks
Naracoorte High School
Tenison Woods College

CONVERSATION LEADER

Winner

James Maskey

Finalists

Ally Orr
Lachlan Spark
Katie Bennett-Stenton

YOUNG CONVERSATION LEADER

Winner

Kohbi Barrow

Finalists

Ian Buckingham and Will Neisler

READ THEIR STORIES

Moonee Ponds local honoured for community work

SA school recognised for championing the R U OK? message

Gunnedah teenager named Young Conversation Leader

Former first responder honoured for suicide prevention efforts

Rozelle Interchange Project building an R U OK? Culture

R U OK? IMPACT

R U OK? vision is a world where we're all connected and are protected from suicide. Our mission is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life.

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Breathtaking colors of our planet

R U OK? is an Australian suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe

R U OK? acknowledges Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. We are an inclusive organisation and respect people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

R U OK? is an Australian suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe

R U OK? acknowledges Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. We are an inclusive organisation and respect people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

R U OK? is an Australian suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times.

R U OK? acknowledges Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. We are an inclusive organisation and respect people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.

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