R U OK? A simple question often difficult to answer
It was ‘R U OK’ day last Thursday – It’s a simple question, with often a more difficult answer, made up of only three words that aim to spark a conversation that could change a life. Four letters that empower people to meaningfully connect with those around them who may be struggling with life.
It’s a day in the past that the team at Load 28 have held important events and breakfasts with industry as a way to provide support and encourage discussion on the very crucial and critical topic of mental health.
But those three words have meant more to me in the past month than they ever have before.
On August 18th my family’s lives were rocked to the core. My eldest son Mitchell, who is also a valued and much loved member of the Load 28 family, was involved in a serious speedway accident at the Darwin ‘Chariots of Thunder’ on opening night.
This accident, which myself and much of our family witnessed, left Mitchell in a critical condition at the Darwin Hospital ICU with severe head injuries.
The complete shock that this could happen to Mitchell, who always seemed so untouchable, left me in a state of utter confusion and disbelief. Much of his first week in ICU was spent with us coming to terms with the severity of his situation. Like most head injuries, not one doctor or brain specialist could provide us with reassurance that Mitch would be okay. In fact, much of the news they were delivering was quite the opposite.
R U OK? Was a question at that time that was difficult to answer.
Over the past month, I have witnessed my son go from a comatose state with assisted breathing, to walking with a walker and holding conversations. In true Mitchell spirit, his sheer determination as he relearns these basic functions at the Repat Centre in Daw Park is nothing short of miraculous.
What myself and my family could not have expected was the outpouring of support and love from those around us. From family and friends, to the Speedway community, to those who have never met Mitchell or our family, who prayed with us and for us.
R U OK is a question I often ask, but if I’m honest, is rarely asked of me. As leaders we are often looked to for guidance and support, seen as people that have it all under control and somewhat untouchable. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mental health touches everybody and nobody is immune. In my moments of quiet reflection over the past month, I have been reminded just how important those three words are, and thankful for the many who have asked me and supported our family.
Many have asked me how I am managing the stresses of every day life and the running of the business when faced with this adversity and I tell them the following:
– I have leaned on others
Observing the managers and team at Load 28, including my sister Fiona who works diligently in the business, pull together to ensure our business was running smoothly made me very proud and meant I could be by my son’s side.
– Not allowing myself to get overwhelmed
I did this by focusing on one step at a time, one day at a time. I relied upon my strengths of structure and organisation to keep on top of tasks.
– I saw it as it was, but not bigger than it was
This is the first step in my ‘Do You Need a Lift’ mental health strategy, and one that was the hardest for me to draw upon, however, I remained optimistic, whilst being realistic, knowing that as a strong family unit, we can get through anything.
Mitchell still has a long way to go, but he is well on his way to recovery. And with the ongoing support of family and friends and industry and colleagues, we know we are going to be OK.
You can read more about Mitchell’s recovery in the Advertiser HERE.
Marcus Rigney
Managing Director | Load 28 Crane Hire | Victor Harbor Cranes
Biggie vs Barney
Load 28 teamed up with Jordan ‘Biggie’ Stephens for its 2023 campaign with ‘Barney the Starlight Crane’. Using our innovative thinking, we decided on a goal to get Biggie to attempt to physically pull Barney.
Jordan was amazing to work with – as big a character as his name suggests! Before long we had set a campaign with big goals, including a Guinness World Record. The campaign covered three stages;
Stage 1 – Biggie had his first attempt to pull Barney. We teamed up with Built, engaged the construction workforce, and the CFMEU, and collaborated to raise vital funds for Starlight. We leaned upon our ethos of ‘Giving Back More Than You Expect to Receive’ – promoting comradeship in the workforce and creating a ‘feel-good’ environment.
Stage 2 – Jordan entered himself in the Guinness Book of Records and succeeded!
Stage 3 – We travelled to the Royal Adelaide Show and engaged the public in our campaign, again raising much needed funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Check out our video above for all the details!
50 Grenfell Street
Built Environs contracted Load 28 to provide and operate our MCH125 Tower Crane, and construction material hoists to service their 150 Grenfell Street project.
The unique part of this tower crane is its electric over hydraulic machine, making it very cost effective to install and operate. Load 28 also provided mobile crane hire during the building’s demolition.
Watch our video to learn more.
West Beach Caravan Park
Here’s Luke, our Crane Coordinator discussing our recent lift at West Beach Caravan Park.
The team spent four days lifting 14-ton modular buildings into place for our valued client Centina, using our Liebherr LTM 1130 crane.
The weather was kind to us and the project was delivered successfully.
Giving Back to the Industry
The team at Load 28 felt privileged to sponsor the Master Builders SA Building Excellence Awards in August.
Giving back is an important ethos in our business and we could not have been prouder to support this outstanding event.
Judging also forms an integral part of the process and our own Managing Director Marcus Rigney, alongside his partner judge, worked tirelessly over a 7-week period to judge across a number of categories.
They said of the experience that they were consistently blown away by the high level of workmanship of all the entries they had the privilege of visiting, which made their judging process very difficult.
Load 28 congratulates all the winners and entrants from the 2023 Awards.
The AGI & AFS Partnership
The team at Load 28 worked tirelessly to support valued client Built in precast installation, crane work and closing the facade on the AFS project.
Our team’s diversification and vast experience allowed us to tackle multiple work fronts efficiently and safely throughout this project.
We were challenged on multiple fronts, in particular battling weather conditions through winter, so we combined our forces, working seven days a week, including nightshift, to reach the last floor of the façade installation in early July.
Level 28 was the final floor! A lucky number indeed.
Check out more on this project in our video above.
Zac for President
Here is Load 28’s first ever employee 13 years ago, and still very much valued member of our team, Zac, working with ‘Barney the Starlight Crane’ and our innovative ballast beam, built in-house by Load 28.
We are very lucky to have Zac, who is such an integral part of our business, with his attributes of consistency, loyalty, respect, honesty and integrity.
Great job Zac!
