Glen Poole

If you not seen if before then check out my #TEDx talk on #GenderEquality from a male perspective youtube.com/watch?v=JAN3Evkg… #MensIssues

In the final session, Marco Renai - a man who is building better men at his Men of Business boys' school - led a a process of honouring every participant's contribution. And we said our goodbyes, until the next one.....

One woman said: "There was a time in my life when I had lost faith in men. What I witnessed was extraordinary. It’s something I wish more women could experience, safety in the presence of men. It reminded me there are so many good men doing incredible work.

I shed a tear when I looked back at this photo. We handed 5k funding to the Mankind Project to pilot a project supporting men as they transition out of prison. I am confident this initiative will change men's lives.

We secured $25,000 of funding from the Black Dog Ride Australia who sponsored 9 delegates to attend the Gathering and be part of our first ever Gathering Pitchfest - with 9 projects competing for $10k of prize money.

I will never forget this hug.......

Giving Dr Uncle Mick Adams a lifetime achievement award in the name of our dear departed Greg Millan was one of the many highlights

There is something deeply nurturing about being at an event filled with big-hearted men.

7am on Day Two and few dozen delegates started the day with a Man Walk - walk, talk, support - shoulder-to-shoulder.

Duncan Armstrong and Ryan Girdler joined us for a chat on 'what makes a healthy man'? They are both sporting legends but it is their approach to life and health now that inspired us.

It was great to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. I first met Simon at the 2013 Gathering, he says this one was "fantastic" and he headed home feeling recharged and inspired.

I love Craig and the vital work he does for male survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. He sent me this personal note - "Well done on creating a wonderful event! Your drive, energy, clarity and humour hold all this together. Thanks so much."

The welcome to country was followed but two days of sessions on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health. One of the things that make our Gathering unique is that First Nations men are integral to event.

Chad Griffiths, Chief of Staff to the Special Envoy for Men’s Health, said: “Big thanks to the team at the Australian Men’s Health Forum for bringing together such a passionate, inspiring group of people working across the country to improve the lives of Aussie men and boys.”

Ged Kearney MP, the Assistant Minister for Social Services said: “Men’s Health hasn’t always been the most popular topic. This needs to change. After attending the National Men’s Health Gathering, I believe change is coming thanks to the incredible work done by all involved.”

I flew to Brisbane as a guest speaker at the 2013 National Men’s Health Gathering in 2013, but never imagined I’d be running it 12 years later. It has been exhausting, exhilarating, and deeply nourishing. Feeling grateful to my brothers and sisters in the men's health movement.

50 Aussie Men a day die from preventable causes. This #MensHealthWeek (10th June - 16th June) the Australian Men's Health Forum is highlighting how health checks can improve men's health and save men's lives. #KnowYourManFacts #MensHealth amhf.org.au/mens_health_chec…

Big thanks to @GeoffNorcott and friend for supporting the work of the Men & Boys Coalition @MBCoalition. Why not chuck in a few quid? I did: tinyurl.com/44pysm88

Maybe we need to guard against being too boring? It's still too easy and too common to dismiss both the need for a focus on the gender issues that impact men and boys - and the many grassroots organisations working to improve the lives and health of men and boys!

Now living in Australia, I have been CEO of @MensHealthAMHF for the past 6 years. The men's health movement here dates back at least 30 years and has given the world Movember and the Men's Sheds movement. Like @MBCoalition in the UK, we represent a diverse men and boys sector

As @AllyFogg wrote of the second National Men and Boys' Conference in 2012: "the men's sector....includes many brilliant organisations....we may be seeing the seeds of a new unity, a recognition that the problems they face are often the same one" shorturl.at/jkvwW