This year's Wollongong City Council's Lord Mayor's 2026 Recognition Reception will be held on World Suicide Prevention Day and RUOK Day and will recognise a local recipient for service to suicide prevention advocacy. 

On 10 September, Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown will recognise a number of Wollongong locals and Australian medal recipients including COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHNs’s Manager, Social Impact and Engagement, Jo Riley who has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), for her contribution to strengthening suicide prevention, community engagement and lived experience leadership. 

Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said it was an honour to acknowledge the incredible 2026 Wollongong OAM recipients today, including Ms Riley.  

“Ms Riley’s work for suicide prevention advocacy has made a positive impact within our communities, providing people with the tools, support, and leadership that can help save lives. She is a well-deserved OAM recipient, and I look forward to seeing what she does next".

Ms Riley said she hopes the Lord Mayor's Recognition Reception is an opportunity to encourage more community members to learn how to ask, listen and help connect others to support. 

"Completing Recognise and Respond, free online suicide awareness training developed by the Black Dog Institute, helps people identify when someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and provides practical guidance on how to respond safely, confidently and compassionately," said Ms Riley. 

Throughout her career, Ms Riley has championed approaches that prioritise connection, compassion and the inclusion of lived experience, including the work of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative. 

At COORDINARE, Ms Riley has played a key role in leading regional suicide prevention initiatives, including the Illawarra Shoalhaven and Bega Valley Eurobodalla Suicide Prevention Collaboratives, as well as the Goulburn and Region Suicide Prevention Network. Her work has helped strengthen local partnerships and improve community responses to suicide prevention. 

Ms Riley has also made significant contributions at both state and national levels. She has held lived experience leadership roles with the National Suicide Prevention Office and the Mental Health Commission of NSW and has previously worked with organisations including the Black Dog Institute, Suicide Prevention Australia and ReachOut.com. Through these roles, she has helped shape policy, strategy and broader sector approaches to suicide prevention.