A word from the CEO

Who can believe we’re halfway through February! I must be having so much fun, because time is flying, that's for sure.

There is a lot cooking at Men’s Resources Tasmania (MRT), and we’re excited to be able to say we’ve been given funding to grow our Building Pathways program to support people leaving prison with their transition back to the community. We’ll have more details on this project soon, but it’s great news and recognition of the positive outcomes from the Peer Support Program we have been running in the prison for around 18 months now.

We’ll be hosting a Men’s Health Forum to highlight some of the successes in engaging men in their health and wellbeing on 10 June during Men’s Health Week, and our working group is pulling together an interesting day. We’ll have a ‘save-the-date’ message out for you soon, but let us know if you would like to be involved.

We’re excited to have a new part-time admin person working with us, thanks to Commonwealth Government program funding through APM.

Our Tasmanian Men’s Health Network met for the first time this year, where we had an inspiring chat with Pete Nicholls, CEO of Parents Beyond Breakup—a powerful program that works to support parents going through separation, and has had particular success with dads during those challenging times.

We’ve just been asked to host a male-focused consultation on the Tasmanian Government’s draft Preventative Health Strategy. Again, more information is to come, but please mark 26 March from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm in your calendars if you would like to participate.

Please feel free to pass on this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, encourage them to subscribe, or even better, become a member. Your support and encouragement is vital as we grow into new and better things.

With thanks

JB
Jonathan Bedloe (CEO)

Mother & Son Journey - Tasmanian Men’s Gathering

March 6th - 9th, 2026

Here’s information from the organisation running this study:

About the Study: Our research investigates how changes in sleep and daily activity rhythms impact mood. We aim to develop a risk algorithm that can be integrated into wearable devices (similar to a Fitbit) to provide early warnings for mood episodes.

Who can participate? We are recruiting participants across Australia and New Zealand who meet the following criteria:

• Aged 18 to 65.

• Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.

• Not currently experiencing a mood episode.

• Have a treating medical practitioner.

Participation Details: The study is conducted remotely, with participation taking place over 18 months. Participation will involve completing online video interviews and surveys, as well as wearing two devices which monitor sleep for a two-week period. Participants are rewarded for completing each session in the study in the form of a Giftpay online voucher.

Free Workshops for Peer Workers and Leaders of a Lived Experience Workforce

The Value of Bro Time: Why Male Connection Matters

In a recent piece, researcher and author Richard V. Reeves explores a growing social paradox: while we widely celebrate "girls' trips" and "ladies' nights," there is a lingering cultural suspicion toward all-male social gatherings.

Using new data from the Pew Research Center, Reeves highlights a significant "support gap" in how we view single-gender spaces:

• The Approval Gap: Women are far more likely to see all-female groups as beneficial for wellbeing (71%) than they are to view all-male groups as beneficial for men (56%).

• The Social Impact: Only 39% of women believe all-male social groups are good for society as a whole, compared to 59% who support all-female groups.

Why this matters for the modern man

Reeves acknowledges the historical stereotype that men in groups "egg each other on" to bad behavior. However, he argues that in an era of rising isolation, these connections are often a lifesaver.

For men, spending time together isn't just about "the game" or a “night out”; it’s about building the social scaffolding that prevents loneliness and supports mental health. Reeves argues that we should move past the suspicion of male solidarity and recognize that healthy male friendships make for healthier men, partners, and colleagues.

"Connection to other men can be, literally, a lifesaver... We’re in a bit of a confused state about the whole idea of male solidarity right now." — Richard V. Reeves

Source: Of Boys and Men by Richard V. Reeves

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Become a financial member

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