We’ve spoken up and shared for a positive experience

Speak and Share sessions a great success across our operations

OneSteel Manufacturing wrapped up its three Speak and Share sessions with good numbers and great engagement across the mining and steelworks sites.

The sessions, one at South MIddleback Range (SMR) and two at the steelworks, were attended by more than 60 employees in total. The Speak and Share initiative was part of the City of Whyalla’s Mental Health Matters Round (MHMR) held during August.

Steelworks Senior Emergency Services Officer, Jaimie Talbot said the two sessions at the steelworks Visitor Reception Centre on August 21 had generated a lot of positive feedback.

These exercises at OneSteel helped expand Mental Health Matters Round even further and spread the mental health message to even more people in Whyalla

Chloe Fisher

The format was interactive and chat-based in a safe, confidential space that included team activities, speaking opportunities and various learning exercises.

“Everyone that attended was actively engaged with a lot of smiling and laughing throughout,” Jaimie said.

With speaking and non-speaking exercises, it really emphasised the importance of communication within our workplace and generally in life.

“We learned more about ourselves, how to help our mates and how to talk about things affecting our lives, positive and negative.”

Manager Health and Safety Iron Ore, Jen Ormsby said the SMR session on August 20 was very well received by all involved including the Speak and Share conveners Ben and Abbey.

“Ben and Abbey were really pleased with how the respective groups engaged and participated throughout,” Jen said.

“They were impressed that, given it was an optional exercise, the plants continued to run while people were participating.”

City of Whyalla Community Activation Officer, Chloe Fisher congratulated all those involved in facilitating and attending the OneSteel sessions and thanked everyone for contributing to Mental Health Matters Round.

“It was great to be able to share these sessions, that we are running at sporting venues and around the community, with the OneSteel operations,” Chloe said.

“Mental Health Matters Round started as a sport initiative and has now spread to the wider community and industry, so it is fantastic to now involve our city’s major employer.

“These exercises at OneSteel helped expand Mental Health Matters Round even further and spread the mental health message to even more people in Whyalla.

“It is a continuation of the cooperation between the City of Whyalla and OneSteel that is developing into a fantastic partnership we hope to keep building with scope for even more initiatives that benefit our community.”

Started as a sporting-based mental health initiative with the Whyalla Football League, MHMR has grown to incorporate netball and soccer, schools, community groups and now industry with the OneSteel Manufacturing (Administrators Appointed) (OneSteel) sessions at SMR and steelworks.

Main picture and top right: Participants at the SMR Speak and Share session undergo one of the exercises. Above right: Steelworks participants at the Speak and Share session.