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

Level 1, Upper Foyer @ Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds

Location to be confirmed. 

• Men's Wellbeing - Connection Through Vulnerability - Craig Wyld
• The ManKind Project Queensland: Peer Support, Initiatory Training, and Long-Term Men’s Community - John Abraham
• Good Better Best Men: Men’s Journey to Their Heart – Building a Community of Healing, Growth and Leadership - Michael Brennan
• Tonic Masculinity - Steve Freeman

• 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 and Jacquie McGraw
• Review and recommendations for cohesive Australian policy and investment into e-mental health interventions for men - Melissa Opozda and James Smith

• “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. 

• 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

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

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  - Mick Adams and Jason Bonson
• WellMob Website – A Modern Message Stick for Indigenous Mental Health resources  - David Edwards

This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Convention sessions may involve cultural or sensitive business.
Entry is respectfully reserved for male delegates only.
We appreciate your understanding.

Federal Assistant 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. - Terry Melrose
• 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
• mherv: Men's Health Education Rural Van - Barry Knowles

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, Matthew D McDonald, Jason Bonson, Murray Drummond, Toby Pavey, Lee Wharton, Jahdai Vigona, Dante Rodrigues and Eleanor Quested

• Midwest Aboriginal Men's Empowerment / Yurla Wangga  - Levi Thorne and James Brockman
• Strong Men Strong Communities: Empowering Aboriginal Champions Across Generations to Break the Silence on Prostate Cancer - David Edwards
• Wati Pirniku & SMS4Deadly Dads Fatherhood Project - Michael Whitehead, Uncle Mick Adams and Richard Fletcher

This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Convention sessions may involve cultural or sensitive business.
Entry is respectfully reserved for male delegates only.
We appreciate your understanding.

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

This session with Melissa Hadley Barrett includes her popular talk - "Why your penis is like a Canary" followed by case studies from her research on treatments for Erectile Dysfunction and an invitation to "ask me anything" about men's sexual and reproductive health.

•  Intranasal delivery of the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor vardenafil: A promising alternative for erectile dysfunction post-prostatectomy – Rational and small series - Melissa Hadley Barrett

• 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

• On-Country Excursions: Strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males’ Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Very Remote Australia - Cameron Stokes and Bryce Brickley
• 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

Conclusion: RECAP of Day 1 and Closing Session

This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Convention sessions may involve cultural or sensitive business.
Entry is respectfully reserved for male delegates only.
We appreciate your understanding.

Quick break before evening plenary. 

SPEAKERS INCLUDE: 

Duncan Armstrong OAM - Olympic Gold Medallist

Ryan Girdler - NRL Legend

• Panellist - Duncan Armstrong OAM - Olympic Gold Medallist - Duncan Armstrong OAM
• Panellist - Ryan Girdler - NRL Legend - Ryan Girdler

Onsite: Royal Showgrounds Exhibition and Catering Space