| Held in Sydney by suicide prevention organisation R U OK?, 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.
The panel took the time to celebrate Ned’s significant contribution to suicide prevention work which has opened up the conversation for many.
“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 to 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?
“Ned’s work spreading the R U OK? message within the community has delivered real impact, encouraging others to have regular, meaningful conversations and invest more time in the people around them.”
Ned successfully completed the English Channel swim (34km) in 2017 before taking on the Catalina Channel (38km) and the Manhattan Island (42km) in 2018. He is the youngest male to ever achieve this ‘Triple Crown’ of open water swimming.
Ned completed these swims in support of R U OK? raising close to $45,000 in funds and generating significant awareness. Ned looks forward to taking on further swimming challenges in support of R U OK? after he completes his final year of school at Waverly College.
Ned gratefully accepted the Award with his proud father and coach looking on.
"The other nominees are such great people and what they've done for the R U OK? message is just amazing. For me to win the Award means so much to me and ultimately means more awareness raised which is just amazing," said Wieland.
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 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 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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