So this just happened: From behind the scenes to centre stage

This morning I was presented with TheMHS Learning Network Inc. Award for Exceptional Contribution at their annual conference.

I didn't take my notes on stage but I think I managed to say most of what I had written down which was:

"A huge thank you to TheMS Conference Judging Committee for the personal recognition and recognising a profession that is usually behind the scenes not centre stage! Shout out to marketing and communications professionals across the country who are an integral part of getting mental health services, research, lived experience and community voices seen and heard. Congratulations also to fellow nominees, highly commended and Award winners today - so motivating to see your work acknowledged and celebrated.

Last month was my ten-year anniversary working in mental health. Thank you to Sue Murray OAM now CEO of Zero Suicide Institute for taking me on at Suicide Prevention Australia all those years ago. Thank you to everyone who has mentored, inspired and collaborated with me since.

I started my comms career in law firms. I remember a lawyer once saying to me, 'Borrowdale, you're not just great at prettying up PowerPoints. You're the pain in the arse I didn't know I needed.' And that, friends, still pretty much sums up the job of a communications professional today – yes we need to have the technical comms skills but it is also our job to be asking you the tough questions, thinking about unintended consequences, considering whose voices are at the centre of your work - and whose are missing.

I’d like dedicate this award to my Auntie Kaye, who is the reason I switched sectors years ago. I know my family, watching online today, is not alone in knowing the pain of suicide loss.?I’m not alone in wearing two hats when I come to work each day.

Thank you to all who bring both their professional and personal expertise to the table. I’m honoured to play a part in sharing your work and stories with the world. We’ve come a long way, but we have so far to go and so many more stories to tell together. So enough about me, let’s get back to work! Thank you.”

I’ve been a one-woman communications consultancy business for six years now. You see much of the work I do through my clients’ projects and campaigns where my role spans everything from co-design and workshop facilitation to podcast storyboards and communications strategy development.

Thank you to the likes of R U OK? SafeSide Prevention LivingWorks Australia Rise Foundation Australia SANE Zero Suicide Institute ReachOut Australia 33 Creative glue communication and many more who regularly invite me to collaborate on projects.

Thank you to the CEOs and senior leaders who invite me in behind the scenes as their trusted advisor. I’ve enjoyed helping many of you connect the strategic dots, work through tricky issues and build and coach your teams. I appreciate you being open to a sounding board who will give you their honest opinion even when it’s not a popular one – yes, I’m still often that pain in the arse.

To have a chat about how I can support your organisation's communication needs, get in touch via [email protected]

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