ISUZU & GOTCHA4LIFE PARTNER TO BUILD MENTAL FITNESS

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) is delighted to announce it will be teaming up with the Gotcha4Life Foundation to take action in 2022. Gotcha4Life is an Australian not-for-profit foundation with a goal of zero suicides, taking action by delivering mental fitness programs that engage, educate and empower local communities. The foundation was founded in 2017 by long time radio favourite Gus Worland and seeks to build mental fitness, create meaningful mateship, emotional muscle and social connection in Australia. IAL Director and Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Harbison explained the motivation behind Isuzu Trucks’ involvement with the foundation. “Gus recently spoke to our team and his message resonated with many people at IAL. The last couple of years have highlighted the importance of mental fitness and the ability to acknowledge challenges, and this is particularly important in our industry which has been traditionally dominated by stoic men. "We’ve been privileged to be successful in the market for many years, with one of our key aims supporting Isuzu’s very loyal customer base,” said Mr Harbison. “While this has been focused on the operation of equipment in businesses, we also acknowledge the importance of supporting a healthy and thriving road transport industry in Australia—on and off the road. “We’ve chosen the worthy cause of mental health and the Gotcha4Life mission to highlight and amplify, not only for our industry, but for the greater Isuzu family too, including our staff, dealerships and national network.”

See you on the road

Isuzu Trucks is providing Gotcha4Life with a specially engineered Isuzu truck that will be used in a new campaign as it travels through Australia building mental fitness for all. The truck is designed to act as a gathering point for programs and events, powered by the foundation throughout the year. Recognising the importance of the design and build of the truck to this initiative, IAL called on the skill and capability of Service Bodies Australia (SBA), led by Managing Director, JP Shelburn. SBA is a long-term supplier to Isuzu Trucks and the manufacturer of the bodies featured on the highly successful Ready-to-Work Servicepack range of trucks. “We’re super excited to be a part of this great project—the mission of Gotcha4Life fits right alongside the way we do business and approach our culture of work,” commented Mr Shelburn. “When Isuzu Trucks first approached me regarding our involvement, I knew it was something we wanted to do. “We are fitting industry-best components and equipment as part of this build and automotive electrical equipment manufacturer, Redarc, is providing the all-important electrical nervous system to keep it all powered,” he said. “The truck will feature a widescreen TV, soundbar, fridges, coffee machines, and the ubiquitous Aussie barbecue. “We have relationships with the best industry equipment suppliers and we’re building a truck that will be a focal point for discussions at Gotcha4Life’s community events. “We look forward to seeing the truck on its mission for Gotcha4Life and Isuzu and wish the venture every success,” Mr Shelburn concluded. Following the tour, the truck will be raffled off to one lucky winner with all proceeds going towards achieving Gotcha4Life’s goals.

Building mental health

Gotcha4Life’s motto ‘zero suicides’ sums up their aims and shows the level of the organisation’s ambitions. “Our mission is to improve mental fitness in Australia, and we want everyone to have a Gotcha4Life Mate—a go-to person that you can rely on and talk to about anything when times are tough, so no one has to worry alone,” said founder Gus Worland. "We spread our message through presentations, workshops and training designed to build mental fitness and social connection, delivered to key contact points in the community including sporting clubs, schools, community groups and workplaces. “It’s a lived truth that prevention is better than cure and that’s what drives us to get those hard conversations started sooner, across the country,” Mr Worland said. Pictured left to right: IAL’s Andrew Harbison & Shura Taft with Gus Worland.

Keep on trucking

With almost one in four trucks registered with an Isuzu badge, IAL recognises its role as a leader in an industry that has been significantly affected over many years by the impacts of poor mental health. Many drivers cite a lack of quality personal relationships, isolation, time away from friends and family and public perception surrounding truck drivers as a major source of stress in their day-to-day lives. Mr Harbison commented further, “We readily appreciate the fact that Isuzu Trucks have a line of communication to a large proportion of the road transport industry across the country. “With the expertise of Gotcha4Life we can leverage this to help spread the message of improving mental health and getting people to open up about the things that worry them. “It’s a message we are passionate about promoting within our own ranks and will be taking full advantage of the resources provided by our partnership with Gotcha4Life this year,” he continued. “We want the wonderful, energetic people behind Isuzu at every level to know their health and wellbeing is a top priority for us.”