When people say, “It takes a woman to organise a men’s event”—they’re not wrong. But what happens when the woman doing the organising genuinely backs the blokes and the man in the spotlight has spent 30 years teaching men to lead with heart, not ego?
This session brings together two trailblazers: Phil Gouldson, the man who introduced International Men’s Day to Australia in the early 2000s, and Rebecca (Bec) Forrest, the Northern Territory’s no-nonsense event force behind the country’s largest IMD Forum. Together, they’ll explore how supporting men is not just a “men’s issue” — it’s a community imperative.
With decades of experience in leadership coaching, public service, and emotional intelligence, Phil will reflect on why he championed International Men’s Day before it was cool — and why it’s still more important than ever. His insight into men’s wellbeing, workplace culture, and the quiet crisis affecting boys and men will challenge us to think deeper and act bolder.
Bec will share how her upbringing among strong male role models—and later, her career in NT Police crisis media and lived experience of family violence—shaped her resolve to stand beside, not against, men. She’ll unpack how women can (and must) play a role in shifting the narrative from blame to balance, creating space for open dialogue and mutual respect.
Together, they’ll tackle the tricky stuff:
Expect real talk, honest laughs, and practical takeaways from two people who aren’t just talking about change—they’ve been doing it.
Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or just starting to explore the space, this session will challenge assumptions, spark connection, and remind us all: when it comes to creating safer, more connected communities—we’re stronger together.
(Please note: We respect that you have a number of abstracts and may not be able to include everyone. If it works best to have a panel on IMD that Phil and Bec are a part of, we’re more than happy to collaborate to share the great work being done across the country in this space).