Man with a Pram: Supporting Dads on Father’s Day
Man with a Pram is one of the few national events held on Father’s Day (September 7), hosted by Dads Group to highlight the importance of perinatal support for new dads.
Research shows that one in four of the 300,000 men who become fathers each year will experience anxiety or depression during their child’s first year — that’s roughly 205 dads each day.
Money raised by the Man with a Pram campaign goes directly to Dads Group, which runs meetups, community programs, and hospital initiatives to support fathers.
The event was started in 2019 by Thomas Docking, Sunshine Coast Father of the Year, who wanted to help men feel more connected during the fathering journey and create a space where they could share experiences without judgment.
“We created a space where dads would feel more comfortable, drop their guard, and learn from each other,” Docking told AMHF.
Man with a Pram has mobilised men, women, families, and friends to push a pram on Father’s Day, catalysing a social and cultural shift around paternal services. Each event is run and owned by the local community. At its simplest, it might involve a group of dads taking a long stroll with their infants and children. Other communities have expanded to run multiple smaller events under the one Man with a Pram Father’s Day celebration.
“Man With A Pram isn’t just about dads,” says Dads Group. “It’s about whole families. It’s about perinatal mental health for both parents. It’s about stronger relationships, thriving children, and communities where no one has to raise a child alone.”
Support the movement: donate or register for a Father’s Day Walk