In these challenging times, more than ever, Roadside is committed to the well-being of its employees, its clients and its contractors.
For the past two years, Roadside Management and staff have participated in a number of activities to recognise the importance of checking in on mates, colleagues and friends. We are proud, that together with our staff, we have raised a few thousand dollars for the R U OK? Campaign.
This year, the R U OK? Campaign was marked on Thursday, 9 September, but the work of caring, is year-long.
At Roadside we believe that checking in on our colleagues, friends and loved ones is a duty we all take on board as part of our every day tasks. The safety of our team is paramount and every staff member is encouraged to keep an eye out on their team mates. The R U OK? day serves as a reminder that we are someone special to someone else. We care for each other.
This year the Roadside R U OK? campaign focused on staff sending us a photo and one sentence or a saying of what brings joy and happiness to their life … The theme this year, in our second year of COVID lock ins, lock outs, lock ups and lock downs is, “Together let’s spread hope for a brighter future”.
Our staff contributed numerous activities including time with family, at work with your colleagues, a hobby, reading and more. Their task was to share with their colleagues what makes them happy and photograph it.
Roadside management contributed $20 for each photograph and saying received. A number of staff also made personal donations to the campaign.
Roadside Services and Solutions Managing Director Craig Woods says, “When our team comes to work every day we want them to feel valued and know they are a significant contributor to the work we do to create a safer environment.”
“We know that making sure people feel valued in our company builds self-esteem and also drives our team to give the best of who they are and what they know.
“It’s been a great bonding activity the past couple of years getting involved with R U OK? day and we’ve been able to raise money for a very worthy cause,” Craig Woods said.
Here we share some of the responses we received:
Human Resources and Workplace Relations National Manager Catherine Vickers finds her happy space at the NGV: “I love going to the great hall at the NGV. I was lucky enough to wander through the gallery on my lunch breaks while working in the city for 15 years. I love the peace and reflection that comes from looking up at the beautiful ceiling. A happy place I look forward to visiting again.”
South Australia Sales Executive Justin Angus: “Seeing the positive disposition of a well-respected colleague come through the other side of major surgery has brought us all together to reflect on how positivity in adversity will get us through to the other side.”
Adrian Mueller from the Victorian Linemarking team: “In between work and family duties I like to go car racing with mates. I think everyone needs an outlet away from the normal day to day activites to refresh.”
Corporate Services Manager Andrea Dunkley: “My happy place is my caravan. My husband and I purchased this van in January 2021 with every intention of getting away with friends and family as much as we could. Of course Covid-19 has delayed that, but we still look forward to the day when we can escape in our van for adventures around Australia. The feeling of freedom that travelling brings and visiting new and exciting places is my happy place. Having recently gone through the very traumatic event of losing our house in the 9 June storms, it brings perspective to making sure you do the things that bring you joy and happiness.”
South Australia Civil Works Project Manager Dawyd Pinter: “The serenity of sitting on the beach watching the waves and rods waiting in anticipation. The feeling of adrenalin that pumps through your body when you see the rod bending for the water and someone yells out “Fish On!” is an experience not to be missed.”
Also a second place of happiness for South Australia Civil Works Project Manager Dawyd Pinter: “My pride and joy – 65 Mustang Fastback which I built from the ground up with my Father-In-Law over 7 years. The feeling I get every time I get in and drive always puts a smile on my face from ear to ear.”
Victorian sign making plant signmaker Moses Nanahj writes he’s OK on a signboard.
South Australia graduate engineer and estimator Ricky Low: “My source of tranquility are my bunnies, Mushi, Cornelius, Snowy and my late Mochi (now in an urn by my bedside). I come home every day from work feeling at peace, knowing that they are my fur babies to be taken good care of and it keeps me going in life knowing that sometimes it is the smallest things that matter the most."
Corporate Affairs Executive Manager Yolanda Torrisi finds sense and sanity in her garden: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow … It’s blooming beautiful being in the garden and it’s cheaper than therapy.”
ABOUT R U OK? Day
R U OK?'s vision is a world where we're all connected and protected from suicide. Our mission is to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with those in their world and lend support when they are struggling with life.
By inspiring people to take the time to ask "Are you OK?" and listen, we can help people struggling with life to feel connected long before they even think about suicide.
