Businesses get behind IMD
The Australian business community is backing International Men's Day 2022 with local chambers of commerce and business networking groups around the country holding events.
The Gawler Business Development Group in South Australia is highlighting this year's "Celebrating Mateship" theme with an evening of humour, networking and "a catch up with the lads". The evening features a special performance by Marc Ryan aka "The Beautiful Bogan" who draws on his lived experience of mental illness (PTSD, Depression and Anxiety) to deliver a message of hope.
Marc aims to normalise the conversation around mental health and to let men know that they are not alone in their struggle. He says his mission is to change one life at a time.
In NSW, the Ballina Chamber of Commerce is also using comedy to celebrate International Men's Day with a lunchtime event called "Laughter on the Lawns".
The event highlights "Celebrating Mateship" and is raising money for two great local charities - Aussies4Aussies and The Healthy Minds Club. Entertainment includes live music from Lance Lincoln with comedy provided by Vanessa Larry Mitchell and Lindsay Webb.
Business Wodonga in Victoria is also promoting the "Celebrating Mateship" theme with a lunch event featuring two great guest speakers.
They are former Victoria Police Officers Graeme Simpfendorfer and Paul Marshall. Paul was a long-time Highway Patrol Officer and is also a Member of Albury’s Volunteer Rescue Squad, while Graeme, after a distinguished career, recently put his talents to good use on the Ten Network hit series “Hunted.”
In addition to telling tales of "Gangsters and Speedsters", Graeme and Paul will share how they and their colleagues coped and managed with the stresses that their roles put them under.
The Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce in Western Australia is also hosting some great guest speakers and running with the theme "Celebrating Mateship in the Workplace" for its inaugural International Men's Day luncheon.
One of the speakers is local lad Sam Sycamore who was born in Port Hedland and grew up in the Pilbara region. Sam is the Founder and Managing Director of Cat5 Rail and has a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing companies and employees in regional communities.
He is joined by Warren Beloved, the Rail General Manager at BHPs Port Operations, who began his career in South Africa. Warren has lived in Port Hedland with his wife and two children for over 10 years and enjoys the strong sense of community spirit. He is passionate about people and sees his role primarily as an enabler for broader workforce engagement, development and productivity.
Finally, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce in Queensland is hosting an International Men's Day golf event, to raise funds for the veteran charity Wounded Heroes, with entertainment from comedian Kat Davidson.
If you're part of a chamber of commerce or business network that wants to run events that support men's health contact [email protected].