Hopwood Gardens was turned yellow and black for the R U OK? Conversation Convoy. Pictured are Ashish Prajapati, Sana Duwal, Ranjana Duwal, Sabin Prajapati and Sacra Prajapati.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The R U OK? Conversation Convoy stopped by Hopwood Gardens, Echuca, with games, food, and a simple message for the community.
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“At the moment, we’re encouraging everyone to ask ‘are you okay?’ any day,” R U OK? marketing manager Rebecca Wood said.
“It’s something that is really, really important to do throughout the year. We encourage people to ask early and ask often if they are worried about someone in their life.”
R U OK? team members Brie Moradi, Luke O’Sullivan and Rebecca Wood.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The convoy has been on the road for six weeks, setting out from Sydney and travelling as far afield as Kangaroo Island before stopping in town on Tuesday, October 14, to promote the initiative.
Feedback from each regional area is sought, which Ms Wood said was shared with local support services in a collaborative effort.
Cath and Beau Metcalf at the Lifeline stall.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Dave Wells and Geri Gallivan playing checkers.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
At the Echuca lunch, representatives from headspace, Lifeline and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local were behind information kiosks set up for attendees.
“It’s incredible to have headspace and Lifeline in these spaces here to help share the message that everyone should look out for each other,” Ms Woods said.
“If someone is really struggling, they can connect them to local services on the ground.”
Phil Morris, Darryl Grayling and Brad Worlley.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Bailey Rossborough, Damon Cleary, Brad Worlley, Phil Morris and Joel Awry.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
While R U OK? is not a support service, it does offer workshops for communities by request, often working with councils to tailor the content based on an area’s need.
Community members, councillors and staff from Campaspe Shire Council, and Vivid participants attended the barbecue, which had chess games and free food on offer.
Julie Thornton, Jasmine Noske, Jess Ibbeson and Narelle Betts.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Campaspe Shire Crs Luke Sharrock and Tony Marwood.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Ms Woods said she was thrilled with the number of attendees, and was glad to see a range of demographics and ages at the event.
The suicide prevention charity promotes asking, listening, encouraging action and checking in if someone a person knows isn’t behaving how they normally would.
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