| R U OK? has honoured community champions from around the nation at the inaugural Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards in Sydney. The Awards recognise efforts to create a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide across five categories; Workplace, Education, Community, Conversation Champion and Young Conversation Champion.
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| “We were truly inspired by the work of all the nominees for the inaugural Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards. The support of the community is invaluable in helping us spread the R U OK? message and it’s important that we let them know how much we appreciate their contribution,”
said Katherine Newton, CEO R U OK?
Woolgoolga in NSW demonstrated the impact of a community coming together. In the lead up to R U OK? Day 2018, the entire town was encouraged to participate in their ‘Woopi Wears Yellow’ campaign. Shops and businesses dressed their windows, offices and staff in yellow and featured the question R U OK?
“Woolgolga’s ‘Woopi Wears Yellow’ campaign has delivered real impact, encouraging others to have regular, meaningful conversations and invest more time in the people around them.”
Lisa Nichols, attending with her son Jack accepted the Award on behalf of the Woolgoolga
community.
"It is so wonderful for Woolgoolga to have won this award and it shows what a great community they are. This award will bring much needed further attention to mental health and suicide prevention in our community," said Nichols.
The Awards also celebrated the life of Barbara Hocking OAM (d. 2016), one of Australia's leading advocates for people affected by mental illness.
“ Barbara’s leadership and achievements positively changed how people living with mental illness and their families are treated and regarded,”
said R U OK? Chair Mike Connaghan of Ms Hocking’s legacy.
“These Awards honour Barbara’s lifelong commitment to peer-to-peer support, highlighting the opportunity we all have to start a meaningful conversation with someone we feel might be struggling with life. She was the first person from the mental health sector who believed in the merit of the R U OK? mission to break down stigma and encourage more meaningful conversations.”
Details of all categories, finalists and winners for The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards can be found on the R U OK? website at www.ruok.org.au/barbara-hocking-memorial-award
About the Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards:
The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards are organised by suicide prevention organisation R U OK?, and recognise those who help create a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide.
Barbara Hocking OAM (d. 2016) was one of Australia's leading advocates for people affected by mental illness. Her leadership and achievements positively changed 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 boards 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 contribution 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.
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