Men’s Health Gathering – First Speakers Announced
The program for this year’s National Men’s Health Gathering in Brisbane is taking shape.
This year we are bringing together many of the key strands of the men and boys’ sector under the theme ‘Moving Men’s Health Forward’.
Some of the key speakers lined up include international researchers, an Olympic gold medallist, public sector bosses and industry leaders from across the men’s sector.
Our key international speaker this year is Professor Derek Griffith from the University of Pennsylvania in the US. Derek is Chair of Global Action on Men’s Health, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Men’s Social and Community Health, and on boards of the American Institute for Boys and Men, Men’s Health Network (US), and the Movember Foundation.
Olympic gold medallist Duncan Armstrong joins us, bringing his passion for leadership, teamwork, goal setting, and champion mindsets. Through his role at Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), he also champions the power of active lifestyles in promoting better health.
We’re placing a strong focus on men’s mental health and male suicide prevention this year and Queensland’s Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic will join us for an important conversation about the role that Governments can play in tackling these issues.
Founding CEO of MATES in Construction Jorgen Gullestrup brings decades of experience to prevent suicide in male-dominated industries such as Construction, Mining and Energy.
The Gathering will also hear from 2024 Queensland Australian of the Year Marco Renai, who founded the Men of Business Academy in 2011 after volunteering his time to support youth at risk. The final day of the National Men’s Health Gathering opens with an uplifting performance from award-winning choral conductor Jonathan Welch AM and his Men Aloud Choir, a singing men's shed, where inclusion, acceptance, the joy of singing and having a good laugh are compulsory prerequisites for participation.
And not to be missed - Ryan Girdler - a former NRL Player, Broadcaster, Family Man, Breathwork Facilitator and Men's Mentor. Since retiring from sport, Ryan has improved his wellbeing, relationships, and connection to the land through practices liked meditation and breathwork. He now shares what he has learned with other men, through Reconnected Men.
A key highlight of the Gathering is the 10th Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Convention.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Dr ‘Uncle’ Mick Adams, Research Fellow Newcastle University
- Jason Bonson, National Project Coordinator, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Male Health, Flinders University
- Jack Bullman, Founder and CEO of Mibbinbah Spirit Healing
- Dr Clinton Schultz, Director, First Nations Strategy and Partnerships, and Head of First Nations Research, Black Dog Institute
- Karl Briscoe, CEO, National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP)
We also have key representatives from a number of men’s health organisations taking part and including speakers from Men’s Sheds, The Man Walk, Dads In Distress, Mr Perfect, Mongrels Men, The Men’s Table, Healthier Illawarra Men, Men’s Resources Tasmania, the Regional Men’s Health Initiative and Are You Bogged Mate.
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements and keep an eye on our Gathering website for updates as we join to Move Men's Health Forward.
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