We would like to acknowledge all people of lived experience of suicide, families, carers and loved ones.
It is because of you that we meet today and together do our work, diligently and to the best of our abilities, transforming and improving the systems of support available for all of us, I especially wish to acknowledge those people who are unable to speak and be heard.
At RAW we enable our communities to tackle life stressors, stigma and isolation through innovative awareness, access and practical interventions.
We are passionate about delivering genuine and authentic, early-intervention suicide prevention for rural and remote communities.
RAW is a ‘non-clinical’ service providing genuine and non-intrusive one-on-one support using a person-centred shared goals approach. The service is confidential with no fees for participants with thanks to our generous supporters and donors.
RAW adopts a culturally sensitive, strengths-based, and collaborative approach to delivering services. Our team come from a range of backgrounds and receive training and ongoing support to provide evidence-informed care to people.
Rural Alive & Well is a registered charity, with donations over $2.00 being tax deductible.
All fundraising, sponsorship and donations received go directly towards funding RAW's support programs to ensure thriving rural communities for generations to come.
Lee, a Tasmanian-born and raised North West Coaster, has had a diverse career working in and driving success in high-level industry organisations.
Kristy manages our Outreach face-to-face support program. Kristy has worked in the Aged Care and disability industries and is trained in Mental Health First Aid and CORES.
Lauren is fiercely passionate about building strong communities. With a background in Events Management Lauren developed a love for creating connected and thriving community groups.
Leanne has a wealth of knowledge and experience working in not for profits managing and leading corporate service teams.
RAW’s journey began in 2006 when Founding Ambassador, John Jones OAM, convened several community forums in Oatlands, exploring the issue of suicide. He was concerned about the health and well-being of rural communities who were recovering from severe droughts, and the lack of early intervention and mental health support for rural people was having a detrimental effect.
In 2007, a Committee was formed to help farmers and rural community members who impacted by drought. The committee consisted of community representatives including the TFGA, Southern Midlands and Central Highlands Councils, Department of Health, Department of Primary Industries & Water, Salvation Army, local church groups, the 8x5 Wool Program, and other interested parties. The group continued to explore the issues around suicide, and educate the broader community on suicide prevention.
In 2009, Rural Alive & Well Inc. was officially incorporated, and soon after became a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity
Since founding the Mobart Mo Bros following the death of his father by suicide, Tom has advocated for mental health issues facing his community for almost 20 years.
Lucy grew up on a farm in North East Tasmania and now resides in a small rural community just outside of Launceston. She is an experienced director with over 10 years board experience and is a community and health professional and a leader in her field.
Hayden is a passionate Tasmanian with extensive experience in corporate strategy, finance and governance across the agricultural and utilities sectors.
Andrew is a Wool and Livestock Specialist with Wool Solutions P/L; (a Tasmanian Wool Brokerage Company owned by two of his Sons – Alistair & Rob). His involvement in the Merino and Wool Industry spans nearly 50 years.
Jan is a rural GP with a keen interest in improving the healthcare of Tasmanians. She has worked in her Launceston general practice since 1986. At the same time, she has developed an academic career with the University of Tasmania teaching medical students and undertaking health research. Both activities are aimed to improve the health outcomes of Tasmanians, especially those in rural areas. Jan’s extended family are Moriarty farmers.
As AMA Tasmania’s current president and local GP, John is a passionate advocate for the health of individuals living in rural communities.
Meg is a passionate advocate for agriculture and community, living and farming with her family in the Meander Valley. With extensive experience in business strategy and human resources, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her leadership role at Archer Agriculture, her family’s mixed farming enterprise.
Before taking on her directorship in the family business, Meg served as Associate Director, Staff Experience at the University of Tasmania, where she led initiatives in leadership development, performance management, and cultural change. Her portfolio included transformative projects in inclusion, diversity, and equity, such as the Athena Swan Gender Equity Pilot and the university’s flagship Leadership Development for Women program. Meg’s leadership in these areas has been instrumental in shaping a more inclusive organizational culture.
Her career spans human resource management and consulting roles in both the higher education and financial services sectors. Additionally, Meg is a dedicated community volunteer, contributing her time to a Launceston young women’s homeless shelter and holding multiple roles at the Midlands Pony Club.
Meg’s life experience is a source of resilience and empathy. She is a survivor of blood cancer, having undergone a bone marrow transplant, and she has faced personal tragedy, losing her father to suicide. These experiences shape her compassionate approach to leadership and community engagement.
Meg holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Tasmania and postgraduate qualifications from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
Sarah is a local farmer, jointly running the family farm in Copping for the past 9 years.
