Men's health sector workers receive King's Birthday honours
Two men who have developed successful programs to facilitate change in men's health were recognised in the King's Birthday honours.
Ian Westmoreland is the driving force behind Mentoring Men, which he established in 2018 to provide free, long-term, one-to-one life mentoring for men facing challenges or changes in their lives.
The platform supports men who need help before they spiral into crisis.
Ian, a former IT specialist who later dedicated his time solely to helping men, received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to men's health and youth.
Greg Aldridge, CEO of EveryMan, also received an OAM for services to community health. The organisation provides specialist support to men who have issues with violence and abusive behaviour towards partners and families or in other settings.
"I got into a lot of trouble when I was young," Aldridge told ABC News. "I had a probation officer when I was 16, and I found a good counsellor, and that was so helpful for me," he said.
He said men who used violence had sometimes grown up surrounded by violence and believed it was normal. Many others wanted to move past violent behaviour and return to the community.
"Now people who care about men who use violence will often understand that they need help to deal with it," he said.