National Men’s Health Gathering gathers leaders in men’s health
The Men’s Health Gathering in May is a not-to-be missed event. Okay, you’ve heard that before and in a calendar bursting at the seams with seminars, conferences, symposiums and workshops, what makes this one so important?
First, it’s all about blokes. Rarely does that calendar bursting at the seams with seminars, conferences and symposiums shine a sharp focus (in multiple directions) on male health issues.
Medical, social, psychological, environmental, cultural, systemic … Bringing together policy makers, leading organisations and individuals in the men’s health sector, industry experts, educators, professional support staff, academics and researchers and a passionate network of people striving to improve the lives of men and boys.
Stirred into this melting pot of leading men’s health advocates attending the Gathering - from Wednesday May 13 to May 15 in Melbourne - is the BIG question: how Australia can continue to lead the world in men’s health?
And Australia does. We are still one of only four countries with a national men’s health strategy; we have given the world initiatives such as Men’s Sheds and Movember and we have worked globally to promote events like Men’s Health Week and International Men’s Day. Let’s not take that for granted.
But against the backdrop of the 2020-2030 Men’s Health Strategy released just 12 months ago, we are laying down the challenge – “what action do we need to take in the next decade to ensure Australia continues to lead the world in men’s health?”
The Gathering, celebrating its 25th year, combines the 13th National Men’s Health Conference and the 10th Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Convention.
AMHF CEO Glen Poole
The Gathering program will include keynote and concurrent sessions held from Wednesday May 13 until Friday May 15. The full program will be released in March. Already confirmed as keynotes are: Dr Anthony Brown, Chair, Global Action for Men’s Health; Cristina Caperchione, Associate Professor, Sports and Exercise Science, UTS; Professor Gary Wittert, Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men’s Health, University of Adelaide; Jeremy McVean, Founder, The Fatherhood; Darren Black, CEO, OzHelp Foundation;Brendan Maher, Dr Zac Seidler, Movember; Jeremy Forbes, Founder, HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies), Angus Clelland, CEO, Mental Health Victoria and Tom Docking, Dads Group Inc.
Throughout the course of the Gathering a wide-range of topics will be discussed, new research aired and latest practices shared under the umbrella streams of physical, mental, Indigenous and social health.
And, interspersed with discussions, presentations, round-tables and break-outs, delegates will be well fed and have the option of attending the conference dinner on Thursday where the Australian Men’s Health Forum – hosts of the Gathering – will announce the winners of the Men’s Health Awards for 2020.
In 2019, the men’s health sector came out in force to nominate and vote for individuals and organisations making a difference to improve the lives of men and boys.
From a pharmacy in Canberra promoting ‘men’s health down under’ to the groundswell of blokes barbecues facilitated by Mr Perfect, the Awards celebrated and brought to light all the amazing work being done across Australia to reach diverse males. Many of these groups will be at the Gathering. Will hope to see you there, too.
While the full program for the Gathering will be launched on March 11, early bird rates for the conference end on Friday February 28.
FIND OUT MORE
Register for the 2020 Australian Men's Health Gathering
Read: Everything you need to know about the 2020 National Men's Health Gathering (AMHF)
Read: Gathering to explore the themes that matter most (AMHF)
Read: 2020 Men's Health Award winners announced at Gathering
Read: Leaders in men's health headline 2020 National Men's Health Gathering