This Men’s Health Week, Federal Member for the Hunter and Special Envoy for Men’s Health, Mr Dan Repacholi MP, is encouraging Aussie men to grab their golf clubs, head to the greens, and take a swing for better physical and mental health.
Recently appointed by the Prime Minister as the Special Envoy for Men’s Health, Mr Repacholi is championing grassroots action and national awareness to address the health challenges many Australian men face, including loneliness, stress, and preventable illness.
And this week, he walked the talk by picking up his clubs and joining the Top Blokes Annual Charity Golf Day at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, which aims to support young men’s mental health.
“This is what Men’s Health Week is all about, getting out into the community, talking honestly, and showing that looking after your health doesn’t have to be complicated, whether it’s through golf, footy, fishing or a walk with your mates, what matters is staying connected and having those check-in conversations. That is how we shift the culture.“
“I am proud to support Top Blokes and the incredible work they are doing to support young men. Together, we can build a future where blokes feel strong enough to ask for help and supported enough to know they are not alone.”
Golf as a gateway to better health
Far from just a social escape, golf is now recognised as a powerful tool for men’s wellbeing. Research from the Australian Golf Industry Council and supported by Deakin University found that playing golf is associated with improved cardiovascular health, increased physical activity, and stronger mental wellbeing. The 2023 Golf and Mental Health report showed that regular golfers experienced lower levels of anxiety and depression and reported higher levels of social connection and life satisfaction than non-golfers.
More than 1.3 million Australians play golf each year – 90% of them are men, making it one of the country’s most accessible and sustainable sports for long-term health.
Top Blokes Foundation’s NSW State Manager, Daniel Allars.
“There’s long been this outdated narrative that men go to golf just to escape. But they are escaping to exactly what they need, connection, movement, and mateship. We know that when men have a safe, casual environment to talk and be active, like at a golf day, they’re more likely to open up, check in on each other, and take those first steps to better health.
“By hitting a ball around, the men here today are breaking the stigma and raising funds to support the next generation of young men to thrive.”
Top Blokes creating safer spaces for men
The Top Blokes Foundation is a youth mental health charity supporting young males aged 10-24 years. Known for its evidence-based mentoring programs, Top Blokes hosted a golf day to not only raise critical funds but to provide men with a space to connect, decompress, and engage in meaningful conversations.
With suicide remaining the leading cause of death for Australian men under 44, and with men accounting for 75% of all suicides in Australia (ABS, 2023), the urgency of building connection and community through informal settings like sport is more important than ever. Dan Repacholi joined 75 supporters, many of them business leaders, community champions and Top Blokes supporters, showing how everyday activities can play a powerful role in reshaping Australia’s approach to men’s health.
