Say it Now 2026: Celebrating 10 years!
Tobin Brothers Managing Director, James MacLeod OAM introduces Say It Now for its 10th year.
Tobin Brothers Managing Director James MacLeod founded the Say it Now initiative in 2016, urging Victorians young and old to celebrate the important people in their lives. 2026 marks the 10th year anniversary.
James has been a funeral director for 38 years. Over the years the one main thing he has consistently heard in funeral celebrations and in particular from those delivering tributes and eulogies to a loved one were expressions of regret – “I could have”, “I should have”, “I wish I had told them what they meant to me”.
This initiative is all about ‘saying it now’ to those people today. Don’t let that be you living with regret or waiting until a person has died to tell them what they really mean to you.
Whether it’s a family member, an old friend, or someone who was influential in their lives, Tobin Brothers is urging people to use #SayItNow to tell that special person about the impact they’ve had on their life and what that has meant to them.
Say It Now 2026 Begins!
From 15 to 21st March, Tobin Brothers Funerals is inviting people across the country to take part in its annual #SayItNow initiative, a community initiative that encourages open, meaningful conversations with the people we care about most.
#SayItNow is centred on a simple but powerful message: donʼt leave important words unsaid. Whether itʼs gratitude, forgiveness, love or appreciation, the initiative highlights how small conversations can have a lasting impact.
Ambassadors for 2026 include:
- Sharni Layton – Former Australian Diamonds netballer and AFLW star
- Laura Spurway – Presenter and Journalist
- Matthew Hill – Sports Broadcaster
- Jason Davidson – Melbourne Victory star
- Tony Moclair – Comedian and broadcaster
- Christopher Sprake – Manager at The Wellington Community Centre
- James MacLeod OAM – Managing Director, Tobin Brothers Funerals
Since its launch in 2016, the Tobin Brothers #SayItNow initiative has been supported by a diverse group of ambassadors from across sport, media and community leadership who have shared their own messages of gratitude and reflection.
Over the years, well-known Australians such as AFL premiership player Jimmy Bartel, Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney, netball legend Sharelle McMahon, and AFL player Todd Goldstein have lent their voices to the initiative.
#SayItNow has also featured contributions from respected media figures including Caroline Wilson and broadcaster Denis Walter OAM, alongside community leaders such as Susan Alberti AC, youth advocate Les Twentyman OAM, Salvation Army leader Major Brendan Nottle, and youth psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.
Sporting personalities like Moana Hope and Archie Thompson have also taken part, helping share the campaign’s message about the importance of expressing appreciation and love while we have the chance.
"Too often, our people have witnessed the heartache suffered by families and friends who did not have an opportunity to acknowledge the impact a loved one has had on their life before they died. We felt compelled to develop #SayItNow week as a way of reminding people not to wait until it’s too late to express your thoughts and feelings to the people around you."
Say It Now this week and every week with Tobin Brothers #SayItNow
Tobin Brothers Funerals
Celebrating Lives Since 1934
Share your #SayItNow message today!
See our Say It Now event page for more ambassador videos, information and downloadable resources.
