Special envoy for men's health visits Western Australia for first time

Special Envoy for Men’s Health, Mr Dan Repacholi MP, will visit Western Australia for the first time this week, marking the start of many planned visits across the state.

Mr Repacholi will spend five days in Perth, and the surrounding areas, meeting with dozens of local men’s health organisations, clinicians, community leaders, sporting clubs, workplaces and grassroots groups focused on improving the health and wellbeing of men and boys.

The visit includes over 30 meetings with Men’s Sheds, mental health services, Aboriginal men’s groups, youth services, prostate cancer support organisations, sporting clubs and rural health leaders, as well as a men’s health roundtable hosted by Men’s Health and Wellbeing WA, the peak organisation dedicated to representing and promoting the health and wellbeing of boys and men in Western Australia.

The visit’s purpose is to hear from Western Australians about what works, existing gaps, and how the Commonwealth can better support solutions for WA men.

The Albanese Government’s men’s health package focuses on prevention, early intervention, ending stigma, improved mental health, targeted suicide prevention, and practical community program funding.

Mr Repacholi said he will return to Western Australia in the coming months to continue his work and visit rural and regional communities.

Quotes attributable to Dan Repacholi, Special Envoy for Men’s Health

“As Special Envoy, my job is pretty simple – get out of Canberra and into communities.”
“I want to hear directly from the blokes on the ground: the volunteers running Men’s Sheds, the mental health workers, the dads’ groups, Aboriginal men’s groups, sporting clubs, and workplaces doing the heavy lifting every day.”

“Men’s health challenges look different in every community. What works over on the East Coast won't necessarily translate in a Western Australian setting, and what works in metro Perth certainly won't be the same as what works in regional WA or remote communities.”

“I want to see what’s working, what needs more support and how the Commonwealth can back local solutions.”

“Too many Aussie men are still dying too young from preventable causes. That has to change.”

“This is about making it easier for men to talk about their health, access services early and stay connected to their communities.”