Address to the Federation Chamber, Constituency Statements

Wednesday 21 August 2024

Last year I participated in a 142-kilometre walk around Canberra over five days, with an amazing group of Canberrans, to raise awareness about and support Menslink, and we are starting to prepare for this year's walk. Menslink is a great Canberra organisation, based in Bean, helping young guys going through challenging times through free counselling, volunteer mentoring and education programs. Over 20 years they have helped thousands of boys and young men through tough or lonely times. Menslink's programs help improve mental fitness, combat domestic violence, reduce youth suicide, increase respect and positive behaviours and help create stronger communities. They work well with our school communities.

More than 25 community and public and private sector leaders participated last year, raising over $300,000. This year 35 walkers have registered to walk in November. I'll be walking with Sarah Hardie from Isla & Gray Financial Advice; Pete Russell from International SOS; Jim Boekel from Bluerydge; Ben Henderson from PCI Sports and Capital Chemist; Kane Piper from Jayco Canberra; Al Croston from Jude Digital; Suzie Hoitink from HTNK Advisory; Lachlan Exton from Highroad; Michael Hoole from Approach Consulting; Pierre Huetter from Purdon consulting; Michael Battenally, the Menslink chair; Jess Peil from Bravehearts; Andy Friend from Performance Friend; Ben Gathercole, the Menslink CEO; Steph Bates from Chartertech; Bjarne Kragh from Southside Physio; Todd Wright from 3 Sides Marketing; Alex Hoitink from HTNK Advisory; Paul Eccles from PSC Insurance Brokers; Alex Brennan from Blueink; Gareth Halverson from Civium Property Group; Michael O'Grady from 4Site; Anthony Simpson from BAL Lawyers; Fabian Muscat from Elite Heating and Cooling; Emily Shoemark from SHG Lawyers; Ray Johnson from ACT Corrections; Anthony Hill from the Vikings Group; Dan Hawcroft from the Property Collective; Julie Dobinson from DDCS Lawyers; Craig Davis and Arran Curll from the Pass Foundation; Scott Alexander from 35 South; Sarah D'Arcy and Hugo Anderson from PwC; and Jeremy Archer from Workin' Gear.

Thank you to the Menslink crew that organised and ran the walk last year alongside their day-to-day work; they are assisting with our preparations this year. Thank you to all those who have taken their time to participate. It's easy for all of us to be time poor, but it's a great walk for a great cause. You can contribute via www.menslinkgreatwalk.com.au. If you're up for a walk, give me a call.