Executive Lee Whiteley gets back to his farming roots as leader of Rural Alive & Well

Lee Whiteley is a proud North-West Coaster who enjoyed a childhood immersed deep within the region’s vibrant and tight-knit farming culture. Here’s how he’s finding his new gig.

Socials: Future Tasmania event at Wrestpoint. Corey Petterson of West Hobart and Lee Whiteley of Burnie. Picture: Richard Jupe

Lee Whiteley is a proud North West Coaster who enjoyed a childhood immersed deeply in the region’s vibrant and tight-knit farming culture.

While a diverse career with the Elphinstone Group – and later Danish company Vestas Wind Systems – often took the talented manufacturing executive far from home, Mr Whiteley never lost his connection with the people of Tasmania’s rural areas.

Now, after more than 20 years working across a range of industries and time zones, Mr Whiteley is using his leadership skills to help build healthy and resilient regional communities as chief executive of not-for-profit Rural Alive & Well.

Rural Alive & Well chief executive, Lee Whiteley. Picture: RAW Tasmania

Mr Whiteley said RAW delivered an early-intervention suicide prevention service for Tasmania’s rural and remote residents, using practical and people-centric interventions.

“Our team are often living in the communities we are serving which provides authentic connectivity in a way that is otherwise difficult to achieve,” the registered charity’s new chief executive told the Mercury.

“Whether it is our rural programs – or in the seafood, forestry, or timber industries – our team are well-connected to those communities where the activities are embedded.

“So RAW is not a ‘drive-in, drive-out’ service. We are there for the journey, sharing in the good times and the hard times.

“We are there celebrating with rural and regional Tasmanians during the good times, so when tough challenges arise there are established relationships and trust.”

Rural Alive & Well president, Tom Windsor. Picture Chris Kidd

Mr Whiteley said while issues facing rural Tasmanians sometimes briefly made the news, the underlying challenges for residents remained for the long term.

He said that long after media attention had moved to the next story, RAW was still there in communities to offer assistance and support.

“It could be the harsh reality of a drought, the loneliness of living remotely, or the loss of a lifelong partner,” Mr Whitely said.

“Some of these challenges are not specific to rural communities, but they are often amplified by distance and separation.

“Something that I have heard many times in my first few weeks with RAW is that early intervention can often be the difference that changes the trajectory of someone’s story.

“The earlier you get into those conversations, the better the outcomes are going to be.”

As Mr Whiteley continues to crisscross Tasmania to support his team in every corner of the state, RAW president Tom Windsor told the Mercury that the Board felt incredibly fortunate to have the experienced operator at the helm.

“Lee has extensive experience leading change across a variety of high-calibre organisations and industries,” Mr Windsor said.

“Aside from his experience, Lee was also the candidate we felt best represented the essence and values RAW stands for.

“Having Lee as our CEO sets us up strongly to take another step forward and better serve and support rural communities across Tasmania”.

Mr Whiteley said his goal was to help build resilient communities that were increasingly better educated about mental health issues, and in accessing support when required.

“It’s a huge privilege to be working in an organisation that is so purposeful,” he said.

“But as my staff keep reminding me, it’s not about us, it’s about the people we work with.”

RAW’s services can be accessed by calling 1800 RAW TAS (1800 729 827).