Address to the Federation Chamber, Constituency Statements

Tuesday 28 October 2025

This November, once again, I'll be participating in the Menslink Great Walk. Since 2021, Menslink has host 30 CEOs and community leaders to walk the Centenary Trail here in Canberra. Over five days, covering 20 to 35 kilometres each day, walkers raise much-needed funds to support young men and their families. Menslink is a great Canberra organisation, based in Bean, helping young guys going through challenging times through its 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.

The walk distance alone is impressive. It's longer than the Kokoda Track or the distance to the Everest Base Camp. It's a very big walk on which walkers get to talk, share ideas and see parts of Canberra that can only be seen on foot. But it's not just the walk that's impressive; each walker commits to raise $10,000 for Menslink. I'm pleased to be able to participate in the walk once again, and I'm looking forward to getting my walking shoes on to raise critical funds. I'll be joined by a group of the impressive Canberrans who make an immense contribution to this city. One of the new walkers this year is new Canberran Bill Shorten, the University of Canberra vice-chancellor, who's already making an impact on this city. Other walkers include Paul Eccles, Alex Brennan, Michael Hoole, Jeremy Archer, Peter Russell, Sarah Hardie, Emily Shoemark, Bjarne Kragh, Jess Peil, Katie Binstock, Michael Battenally, Lachlan Exton, Todd Wright, Julie Dobinson, Rupert Cullen, Phil O'Brian, Theresa Dowling, Jim Roy, Henry Goodwin, Sheridan McGrath, Jacquelyn Curtis, Nick McNaughton, Kate Coultas, David French, Frank Lo Pilato, Sean Duffy, Carrie Leeson, Emma Davidson, Nathan Ross, Arran Curll, Jack Koval and Oscar Dillon.

Please consider donating if you can. Menslink provides an important service in looking after young men, giving them options and opportunities and making sure that they don't fall through the cracks.