Wednesday, 22nd October National Men's Health Gathering 2025

Location to be confirmed. 

• Men's Wellbeing - Connection Through Vulnerability - Craig Wyld
• Reconnected Men - Ryan Girdler
• MiOK: A rapidly customisable wellbeing and connectivity resource and communications platform to facilitate improved health outcomes in the workplace and community groups - Peter Anthony

• The history of men’s health advancement in Australia over the past 25 years: Where to next? - James A Smith
• Mapping the evidence gaps: a national review of men’s health data, policies, and interventions - Mark Robinson
• Review and recommendations for cohesive Australian policy and investment into e-mental health interventions for men - Melissa Opozda and James Smith
• The social determinants of men’s health literacy in Australia: Insights from the national longitudinal study on male health   - Zelalem Mengesha

• “From the Bloke Who Brought It Here, to the Woman Who Made It Loud – The IMD Evolution” - Rebecca Forrest and Phil Gouldson

Abstract Presentation by Bec Forrest and Phil Gouldson first followed by a Workshop.

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

Facilitation by Australian Men's Health Forum 

International Men's Day takes place every year on 19th November and is great opportunity to take part in a global conversation about manhood, masculinity and men's issues by:

* Highlighting some of the social issues that men and boys face
* Making a difference for the men and boys in your community
* Celebrating men and boys in all their diversity

This workshop provides a rare opportunity for us to share our collective wisdom and focus on ways we can expand the day in Australia . It doesn't matter if you have years of experience promoting International Men's Day or are considering getting involved for the first time this year.

In this workshop you get a mix practical tools knowledge, opportunities for explore new ideas and the chance to learn from and share your experience with others. 

1. Introduction to the Gathering Honouring 25 years since the first National Indigenous Male Health Convention, held at Ross River Homestead on October 4–5, 1999 - Uncle Mick Adams, Jason Bonson, - include video of men marching in 1999

2. Keynote Speaker: Karl Briscoe - CEO Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP)

3. Keynote Speaker: Associate Professor Clinton Schultz – Director of First Nations Strategy & Partnership at the Black Dog Institute

4. Panel Discussion - 25 Years On: What’s Changed for Our Men – and What Hasn’t
    Honest reflection on the past 25 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health
    Progress in community-led solutions, but continued systemic gaps
    Lived experience, policy, workforce, research and community voice
    Why our men are still missing from national health priorities

• Men's Health Community Connect Space - Hosted by Tough Guy Book Club - Shay P Leighton

- This session will run either side of lunch in the exhibition hall. 

- Join Shay Leighton during this time to connect and chat. 

• Brave Brothers - Grassroots at work - David Facer
• Grab Life By The Balls - Sam Parker
• Penrith Men’s Walk and Talk: More than just a walk - William Mr Beggs
• From Fragmentation to Collective Impact: Advancing Men's Mental Health on Sydney's Northern Beaches - Tim Hewson

• Tackling The Challenge: Men’s stories of resilience and recovery in South West Sydney - Neil R Hall
• Adapting and implementing a culturally-responsive and gender-sensitive hybrid online and face-to-face social and emotional wellbeing program for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males: The YBMenNT story  - James A Smith and Jason Bonson
• What do we know about men's preferences for, experiences of, and outcomes from using psychotherapeutic e-mental health programs? Findings from a linked meta-synthesis and meta-analysis of the literature - Melissa J Opozda
• Longitudinal trajectories of protective and risk-based behaviours and their relationship with mental health and wellbeing in Australian men - Ian Zajac

1. Panel Discussion: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Workforce
    What support do our male health workers need to stay strong themselves?
    How do we create more into health roles for young men?

• The DEADLY MALE - National Centre of Excellence and Leadership for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Males  - Jason G Bonson and Mick Adams
• WellMob Website – A Modern Message Stick for Indigenous Mental Health resources  - David Edwards

Federal Assistance Minister for Social Services and Family and Domestic Violence - Ged Kearney MP

• A primary care approach for hard to reach regional, rural and remote men. - Owen Catto
• Supporting Rural Men’s Mental Health: Practical Lessons from the Ground Up   - Andrew Daley and Philip Worrad
• The power of engaging men with community - Hayden H.E. Esparon

•  Intranasal delivery of the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor vardenafil: A promising alternative for erectile dysfunction post-prostatectomy – Rational and small series - Melissa Hadley Barrett
• Breaking the Silence: Aboriginal Women Supporting Men’s Prostate Health Journeys - Michelle King-Okoye

• Midwest Aboriginal Men's Empowerment / Yurla Wangga  - Levi Thorne and James Brockman
• On-Country Excursions: Strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males’ Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Very Remote Australia - Cameron Stokes and Bryce Brickley
• Strong Men Strong Communities: Empowering Aboriginal Champions Across Generations to Break the Silence on Prostate Cancer - Michelle King-Okoye

• Delivering targeted men’s health outcomes through men’s sheds - Frank Pearce
• Men's sheds - where men's health matters - Wendy Kennedy
• What makes a thriving men's shed  - Rebecca Talbot

Panel Discussion including the following speakers: 
Bryce Brickley, Matthew D McDonald, Jason Bonson, Murray Drummond, Toby Pavey, Lee Wharton, Jahdai Vigona, Dante Rodrigues, Eleanor Quested

• Optimising sport settings and spaces to promote men’s health and wellbeing - Bryce Brickley and Matthew D McDonald

• Male survivors of institutional child sexual abuse; an under-recognised group - Paul Wyles
• Intersections of male survivors of child sexual abuse with suicidality and violence - Patrick O'Leary and Craig Hughes-Cashmore

• Enough Talk, Time for Action (ETTA): An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research program involving co-designed men’s groups to support wellbeing and health service engagement in SA and NT. - Celina Gaweda, Cameron Stokes and Bryce Brickley
• Wati Pirniku & SMS4Deadly Dads Fatherhood Project - richard fletcher and Uncle Mick Adams

Conclusion: RECAP of Day 1 and Closing Session

Quick break before evening plenary. 

SPEAKERS INCLUDE: 

Duncan Armstrong OAM - Olympic Gold Medallist

Ryan Girdler - NRL Legend

Onsite: Royal Showgrounds Exhibition and Catering Space