What’s happening?
As Australians prepare to mark R U OK? Day on September 11, nonprofit educational organisation Toastmasters is encouraging Queenslanders to use the opportunity to check in on those around them. The organisation is highlighting how communication and listening can support wellbeing across the community.
R U OK? Day was founded in 2009 and is held annually on the second Thursday in September. It encourages Australians to ask the simple question “Are you OK?” as a way of supporting anyone who may be struggling with life or just needs to be heard. The initiative demonstrates that everyday conversations can be a lifeline for those experiencing difficulty.
For Toastmasters, which has been teaching confidence and communication for more than 100 years, the message resonates strongly with its mission of building stronger speakers, listeners and leaders.
Why it matters
R U OK? Day is a reminder that a single question can change a life.
Brisbane Toastmaster and PR consultant Anthony Fensom said the day is an important cue to reconnect. “R U OK? Day is an important reminder for all Aussies that starting a conversation and allowing someone to be heard can make a real difference in the lives of those around us,” he said.
“This important day reinforces how powerful open and meaningful conversations can be – something I’ve grown more confident in through my experience with Toastmasters, whether at work or with friends and family.”
Club Growth Director for District 69, Shubi Chatterjee, said asking the question is a powerful skill. “Asking ‘R U OK?’ is one of the simplest yet most powerful questions we can ask,” Ms Chatterjee said.
“At Toastmasters, we help Queenslanders build the courage and skills to start that conversation, and just as importantly, to listen with empathy.”
She added: “Communication is not just about delivering a speech. It’s about creating trust, showing empathy, and giving people the confidence to be heard. On R U OK? Day, those same principles are at the heart of every conversation.”
Local impact
Queensland boasts more than 140 active Toastmasters clubs across the state, in locations such as Townsville, St George, Tara, Bundaberg, Brisbane, Hervey Bay, and Maryborough. The clubs are part of District 69 of Toastmasters International, which also includes the Northern Territory, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Pacific Islands.
To learn more about District 69 please visit: https://www.toastmastersd69.org/
Meetings take place in in-person, online and hybrid formats, making it easier for Queenslanders to connect, learn and support one another.
By the numbers
- R U OK? Day was founded in 2009 and is held every year on the second Thursday in September.
- Toastmasters International has around 270,000 members across more than 14,200 clubs in 148 countries.
- District 69 of Toastmasters International includes over 140 active clubs in Queensland, as well as clubs in the Northern Territory, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Pacific Islands.
Zoom in
Beyond public speaking, Toastmasters offers a supportive community where members practice active listening, provide and receive constructive feedback, and grow together. These qualities align closely with the goals of R U OK? Day, where empathy and genuine connection can play a lasting role in mental health and community resilience.
Zoom out
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organisation founded in 1924 and headquartered in Englewood, Colorado. Through its global network of clubs, members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback in supportive environments.
R U OK? is a national suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that builds the motivation, confidence and skills of people to have meaningful conversations with others who may be struggling. Its work encourages people to stay connected and strengthen informal support networks of friends, family and colleagues.
What to look for next
With communication and listening skills becoming more important, Toastmasters says there has never been a better time to join a club. On R U OK? Day, Australians are reminded that asking “Are you OK?” can be the start of a life-changing conversation.
