Rozelle Interchange Project building an R U OK? Culture

The Rozelle Interchange Project has received the Workplace Award at the R U OK? 2023 Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards. 

The awards recognise those who help create a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide and are presented in five categories: Workplace, Education, Community, Conversation Leader, and Young Conversation Leader. 

The judging panel recognised the outstanding contribution The Rozelle Interchange Project is making to suicide prevention work through building an R U OK? Culture within its workforce. 

The Rozelle Interchange Project is an infrastructure joint venture between John Holland and CPB Contractors. Both organisations have committed to address challenges of mental health and suicide prevention for staff, sub-contractors and their families. The Project recognises that ‘prevention is better than cure’ and focuses on three pillars; trained mental health first aiders, trained management, and all of project personnel engagement. 

Across The Rozelle Interchange Project there are now 230 trained Mental First Aiders who wear uniquely colourful high-vis shirts and provide on the ground peer support. 

In parallel, training has been held with the Project’s management team to ensure they are able to identify and respond appropriately to staff needing further support. 

Announcing the award as a virtual ceremony, R U OK? Community Ambassador, Mostapha Kourouche, congratulated The Rozelle Interchange Project team for their workplace efforts. 

“The Workplace Award recognises organisations that are building a culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and encouraged,” said Mr Kourouche. “The Rozelle Interchange Project has helped those at John Holland, CPB Contractors, and their families feel more supported and connected when they are going through a tough time, and we commend them for their work to build an R U OK? Culture on the site.” 

In 2019 R U OK?Day was among the first initiatives to engage all of project personnel on site and since then the project has marked R U OK?Day, Movember, Mental Health Awareness Week and Mates in Construction as part of ongoing efforts to promote an on-site culture of making every day the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’. 

The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards were first presented in 2019 in memory of the late Barbara Hocking OAM. 

“Barbara was a fearless mental health advocate and campaigner,” said Katherine Newton, R U OK? CEO. “Her leadership and achievements had a positive impact on how people living with mental illness and their families are treated and regarded in Australia. 

“These awards honour her lifelong commitment to peer support by highlighting the opportunity we all have to make a difference to those in our world.  

“Barbara was one of the first leaders in the mental health and suicide prevention sector to recognise the merit of the R U OK? mission in breaking down stigma. Our nominees demonstrate the values she lived by every day.” 

Details of all categories, finalists and winners for The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards can be found here.