Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes with Healthier Illawarra Men’s Graeme Sutherland and Dr George Albert doing a health check ahead of the lunch. Photo: Supplied.
Wollongong will take centre stage in the national men’s health conversation this Friday (14 November), as Federal Men’s Health Special Envoy Dan Repacholi joins Lord Ian Botham, Gus Worland and Karl Stefanovic for the sold-out Healthier Illawarra Men (HIM) International Men’s Day Lunch.
About 540 guests will join for a powerful mix of humour, heart, and hard conversations about men’s physical and mental health, along with the opportunity for a range of free health checks.
Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes said Mr Repacholi’s attendance ensured the nation’s representative for men’s health would get to hear directly from men at one of Australia’s largest community gatherings focused on men’s wellbeing.
“It is so exciting to have the Special Envoy for Men’s Health come to the Illawarra for this fantastic event so that he can hear firsthand about the challenges here in the Illawarra,” Ms Byrnes said.
“We know that men face unique barriers when it comes to getting support for their mental health.
“Groups like HIM are really important in shining a light on this important issue and giving men an outlet to talk about their health and mental health.”
A four-time Olympic sports shooter and former coalminer, Mr Repacholi was elected as a member for the NSW seat of Hunter in the 2022 election and supported the idea of a minister for men.
He was appointed to the newly created position Special Envoy for Men’s Health in May, which involves addressing men’s specific health challenges, such as mental health, suicide prevention, and chronic illness, and to ensure a health system that works for everyone.
Attendees this year will also have access to a range of free health checks as they arrive, thanks to the Wollongong Campus Medical Centre, led by Clinical Associate Professor George Albert.
Screenings will include the latest in blood-sugar testing technology, blood pressure and other key wellness checks.
Dr Albert said doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and medical students from the Wollongong Campus Medical Centre at UOW and Boat Harbour Medical Practice in Gerringong would be working together to offer health checks, guidance, and education.
“The HIM Lunch is a great reminder that looking after our health starts with simply showing up, for ourselves and for each other,” he said.
“It’s about breaking down the stigma and making it normal for men to have honest conversations about their wellbeing.
“It’s a great opportunity to connect with the community, raise awareness, and take another step toward improving men’s health across the Illawarra.”
This week, HIM also launched its new Redefining HIM podcast about men’s health, hosted by Illawarra identity Marty Haynes OAM and produced by Relativity Films.
Episode One, hosted by i98FM and Haynes, features The Man Walk founder Mark Burns, whose simple idea has grown into a national movement helping men connect through walking and talking.
HIM chair Mark Sleigh said the response to this year’s event showed the strength of community support for men’s health across the region.
“The lunch officially sold out two weeks ago, and we’ll have close to 540 people in the room … our biggest turnout yet,” Mr Sleigh said.
“It’s going to be a tremendous day of conversation, laughter, and inspiration.
“Every dollar raised goes back into local programs supporting men’s mental and physical health — and that’s something we can all be proud of.”
The lunch at the UniHall in Wollongong on Friday is hosted by Healthier Illawarra Men and presented by the St George Illawarra Dragons. Listen to the Redefining HIM podcast on Spotify and Apple.
