Check-In for Great Mate Panel Chat

The Great Mate Check-In’s Night-Time Panel Chat is fast becoming one of the hottest tickets in Moreton Bay.

More than half have been snapped up five weeks out from TGMC’s flagship men’s wellness event at Club Pine Rivers on Friday June 5.

Speakers include Ryan Elson, founder of The Tribe Social Belonging, Peter Turner, Executive Principal of Bray Park State High School, and Bodie Morris, a remarkable 17-year-old, on tackling the stigma around men’s health.

Ryan started the Tribe in 2018, to help people make social connections. Eight years later the organisation supports thousands of men and women across Queensland.

Bray Park State High School Principal Peter Turner is an advocate for boy's mental health. Since undergoing open-heat surgery, he understands how major life events impact mental health, and the role resilience plays in recovery.

Kelvin Grove High School’s Bodie Morris was set for a top football career until suffering a horrific injury. He is now creating fashion wear including mental health awareness.

“The more voices we can have in the room the more power to the movement,” said Stacey MacMillan-White - co-founder of TGMC with Courtney Senior.

“I believe if you can’t see it - you can’t be it. If young men are not seeing those role models they’re thinking I’m the only one suffering. There’s something wrong with me.

“But if we can share those stories and show they aren’t alone … there is a way out. Stories like Bodie’s bring a more youth oriented theme to our panel.

“He’s been through the deep blue and his motivation was I can now share that story with other young men and young people and show them there is a way out.”

Proceeds from the Night-Time Panel Chat will again go to the men’s Information and Support Association (MISA) in Strathpine, which provides in-person counselling sessions.

TGMC believes “consistent connection” is key to strong mental well-being, especially men” and urges people to use the first Friday each month to check-in on a mate.

In 2023 it launched the Panel Chat at Hip Hops Brewers, Brendale, but organisers have this year moved to a bigger venue - Club Pine Rivers in Bray Park.

“We love Hip Hops,” Stacey says, “but didn’t want to say no to people coming along for the cause of men’s mental health .

“We wanted to have as many supporters, advocates, ambassadors, experts as we could, that’s why we have also moved it to a night-time, rather than afternoon.

“Moving from November to June is a big move. Originally it was for International Men’s Day in mid November, but the first Friday in June aligns with men’s health week.”

Stacey, who runs a business How to Help, saw a wave of events for International Women’s Day and whispers of why wasn’t this done for men?

“I’d often reply, “There is an International Men’s Day in November – keep an eye out,” she says on TGMC website.

“So, I set out to build and host an event for International Men’s Day in November 2023. Honestly, I was shocked by its success.

“I’d never organised an event of this scale, let alone a fundraiser, and especially not for a subject – men’s mental health – that often struggles to get the attention it needs and deserves.”

For more on information on TGMC and Night-Time Panel Chat, click here.