AMHF President Gillian Hunt Reflects on 2025
The past year marked a decisive shift for the Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF). After years of careful planning, 2025 became a year of action, impact and reconnection across the men’s health sector.
In her annual report, AMHF President Gillian Hunt described it as the moment the organisation “shifted from planning to delivery,” with major initiatives landing strongly and the organisation’s work “grounded in the real lives of men and boys.”
Members at the Centre
At the heart of AMHF’s progress are its members—community groups, service organisations, researchers, practitioners and advocates working daily with men and boys across the country. Hunt emphasised that the membership remains “at the centre of this mission,” shaping AMHF’s national voice on men’s health through real-world experience and insights that “strengthened everything we produced.”
Membership continued to grow throughout 2025, expanding the diversity of voices within the network. This breadth allowed AMHF to develop more targeted tools and messages, with members actively using resources during Men’s Health Week, International Men’s Day, workplace programs and community events. Their contributions also informed updates to the Know Your Man Facts tools and the Reaching Men training suite.
“AMHF exists to represent this network,” Hunt said. “Their lived experience gives our work credibility and reach.”
Honouring a Pioneer: Greg Millan
The year also brought profound loss with the passing of former AMHF president Greg Millan, a founding member and one of the earliest leaders in the men’s health movement in Australia. Millan’s influence was felt across decades, from training practitioners to shaping grassroots programs.
“Greg’s legacy endures in the people he trained, the organisations he supported and the movement he helped build,” Hunt reflected.
To honour his contribution, AMHF established the Greg Millan Lifetime Achievement Award. The inaugural honour was presented to Dr Uncle Mick Adams at the National Men’s Health Gathering, recognising his long-standing leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health. Hunt noted that Adams’ commitment reflects “the same quiet strength and practical service that defined Greg’s work.”
Read - Honouring Greg Millan: A Life Dedicated to Men's Health
The Return of the National Men’s Health Gathering
One of the defining moments of 2025 was the return of the National Men’s Health Gathering in Brisbane. Marking its 30th anniversary—and the first in-person national convening since COVID—the event brought together practitioners, researchers, community leaders and government partners from every state and territory.
The combined format of the National Men’s Health Conference and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Convention created a depth of dialogue and learning the sector had missed. Members showcased practical responses to rising social isolation, suicide risk and the pressures facing boys and young men today.
“The Gathering restored national momentum, rebuilt connection and reminded us how much this movement achieves when it works together,” Hunt said.
Celebrating Excellence: Men’s Health Awards
The Men’s Health Awards continued to grow, attracting more than 5,000 votes across 75 nominees. The Awards highlighted leadership, innovation and community commitment in every corner of the nation—clear evidence of a strong, active and evolving sector.
Amplifying National Engagement: Men’s Health Week and International Men’s Day
Men’s Health Week demonstrated the movement’s increasing reach, with organisations across the health, education and community sectors hosting events and using AMHF tools. The newly launched Men’s Health Week website improved coordination and visibility, while AMHF’s lunchtime Men’s Health Chats drew strong attendance. The refreshed Know Your Man Facts toolkit spread across workplaces, schools and sporting clubs.
International Men’s Day reinforced this momentum. Organisations nationwide used AMHF resources to support positive conversations around connection, safety and wellbeing. AMHF also strengthened its global influence, with board member John Rich joining the board of Global Action on Men’s Health.
Strengthening Capability and Advocacy
AMHF continued to build capability across the sector through the Working with Men tools and Reaching Men workshops. These resources remain central to helping organisations embed male-friendly practices in their services.
On the advocacy front, AMHF’s policy work was firmly grounded in the lived experience of its members, whose insights into rising distress and social isolation shaped the organisation’s Election 2025 platform. AMHF called for stronger national action on male suicide, clearer reporting on how public funding supports men, and greater investment in community-led connection before crisis.
A Stable, Focused Organisation
Financial stability was supported by Commonwealth funding extensions, allowing AMHF to maintain its core services while delivering major national events. Hunt credited the organisation’s “lean, disciplined and highly capable team” for its ability to deliver significant impact with modest resources. She also acknowledged the contributions of departing Board members Rae Bonney and David Pointon.
“AMHF will continue to lead, connect and strengthen the work that improves the lives of men and boys across Australia,” Hunt affirmed.