Breaking ground for mental health

WTC Group’s new TradeMutt print-wrapped machinery is starting big conversations on job sites across the shire, in a literally earth-moving collaboration for mental health.

The civil construction group’s motto is to “do more than just move dirt,” and managing director Will Childs says, “We get the job done but we need to have some sort of purpose for why we’re here, otherwise what are we working towards?”

Conversations around mental health aren’t exactly a norm on the job site, but that’s all changing thanks to social impact brands like TradeMutt workwear which has exploded loud vibrant gear worn by tradies across the site and across Australia.

After two men (Ed Ross and Dan Allen) from TradeMutt came to Narrabri and shared their story about losing a friend to suicide at a charity night, visions aligned, and a collaboration with WTC was born.

“I lost a mate to suicide last year, but over the past few years, we as a group were looking for something that makes sense to our business, and as a community gives us a reason to get up in the morning and give back,” said Mr Childs.

Of all Australians, 75 per cent of death from suicide is by men, a number that is more significant in regional communities where trade is a prominent occupation.

“Our industry is more geared towards men, we are transitioning into the female workspace, but we’re still associated with the Terry tough guy image, we drive big machines, we don’t talk about feelings we just get on with it, but that’s not the point fellas,” said Mr Childs.

“The lost confidence in people from the distance we’ve had in the last few years from COVID and people losing the self-confidence to approach people and talk to them face to face is a real issue.”

It was the This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS) charity started by TradeMutt that felt like the immediate response that Mr Childs thought could make a difference.

“We are seeing a lot more younger people going down this road,” said Mr Childs.

“Going directly to somewhere or something that can make an instant connection and talk to someone right away – then that’s where the real impact is.”

Through the free text, chat, and call back services staffed by mental health clinicians, the organisation is tackling the rate of blue-collar suicide, something that Mr Childs and so many others have taken a personal stake in.

Elli Schwager, Mick Parker, Brock Davis, Will Childs, Dylan Armitage and Morgan Van de Sande wear their TradeMutt WTC uniforms.

“The boys turned what felt like a losing battle into something that could start a conversation about feelings and the headspace in the tradie space using these bright flowery shirts,” said Mr Childs.

“When they got into depth on the free health lines where people can call or message anytime and someone would always be available, that made sense, people need someone immediately.

“I thought: this is for us, so I reached out and said have you ever done anything like this? and they said no but this is very cool.”

Now the heavy lifters have entered the “chat”, and since March, new WTC machinery wrapped in signature TradeMutt wrap has been the first of its kind seen getting around the region and sparking conversations on-site, and it doesn’t get more impactful than that.

“We told TradeMutt that we’re buying a new machine and excavator, and we want to make that a conversation starter on site,” said Mr Childs.

“It’s great because they get around on every kind of job site, not just a mine site, so you see them everywhere, they are always on people’s minds.”

A Caterpillar 325 hydraulic excavator was the first to arrive at the end of March and put straight to work on the Wee Waa High School development.

Then came two Volvo A40 G moxys, delivered in July, all three vehicles feature different TradeMutt prints, Ventura, Indiana Bones and Escher.

“I love the artwork. I was optimistic and nervous about how it would look because of course I still couldn’t help but not want to be judged, but when they put it on the machines it just looked so cool,” said Mr Childs.

The hard-to-miss vehicles have already made an impact because conversations have started.

“If it triggers conversation, then hopefully one day it triggers that it’s all about mental health, then we’re on the right track hopefully,” said Mr Childs.

“We had heaps of curiosity with the moxys at the Namoi Jobs and Trade Show and the Mudgee Field Day.

The TradeMutt print wrap on WTC Group machinery is starting conversations on job sites.

“Everyone talks about it at the Wee Waa High School – the guys that come down and do specialised works all ask about them and I’ve heard people at the Tourist Hotel asking about the cool machines with the ‘graffiti print’ on it.”

But it’s not all about talking, the working vehicles will be a way for WTC to give back, for every hour of work their big CAT does on-site $10 is donated to TIACS, and every successful year of donating will come with an annual celebration.

The two moxys and any new machinery purchased will work at $3 an hour given back, resulting in an estimated $57,000 donated by the end of the next two years.

The money donated will add to the $695,000 in mental health support that TIACS has already raised to assist over 4000 tradies to get help with mental health support.

Internally, the cause has hit home, with the whole WTC team happy to share the camaraderie, jumping onboard Funky Shirt Friday and a monthly barbecue, adding to the donation jar if they forget to wear their TradeMutt shirt.

“The TradeMutt mission is really working – our people are all onboard and as pumped up for it as we are, it’s getting through to people,” said Mr Childs.

“The best thing about our experience is that most of the crew either knew our friend or they’ve been down that path with other family members or friends.

“As a business this has made us more whole, we’re growing together and looking after the mental health of our staff too, as we’re all very aware of social conscience and talking about mental health.

With their 10-year anniversary bash coming up in November, the crew will also honour the cause further by donating all charity golf proceeds to the TradeMutt organisation and starting a new annual tradition of WTC charity golf days.

“Unfortunately, sometimes it’s the tragedies that happen which lead to a more purpose-driven and meaningful path to making a change,” said Mr Childs.

“This movement is definitely a conversation starter but we’re making the point that you can start having conversations, find common ground, and start having conversations about the way you are feeling.”