Ged Kearney (Cooper, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise to recognise the important work of an amazing group, the Tough Guy Book Club. A national survey by Healthy Male has found that 43 per cent of men are impacted by loneliness, and some long-term trends show a decline in close friendships amongst men. For many men, connections used to be formed in community groups, sporting clubs, churches or unions—institutions that maybe aren't as prevalent as they once were. And that's why today I'd like to take the opportunity to highlight the incredible work of the Tough Guy Book Club in fighting loneliness.

This is a story that started in 2012. Shay Leighton, the founder of Tough Guy Book Club, was living a life that by many societal standards would appear fortunate. He had a successful career and relationships with his work peers, but on the inside, he says, he was feeling unfulfilled and lonely. One day while Shay was thinking and talking about this with one of his friends, they were looking for an answer, and the idea of the book club was formed. Today the work of Shay and other members of the book club is challenging the mentality that tough men don't talk about their feelings. They're working hard towards creating healthier relationships for themselves and for other men. Shay says, 'How the hell does reading—you know, picking up a book and learning new shit—become something that's considered the opposite of toughness?' That's a direct quote, Deputy Speaker. I promise it wasn't just me saying that! So I hope you understand. 'I can assure you there is nothing tough about knowing less than the next guy.'

Today the Tough Guy Book Club has grown from two friends meeting at a pub in Collingwood to having over 1,300 attendees over 140 locations in eight countries. That's over 5,000 meetings of healthy conversations between everyday men. Something that I love about Shay's work is that it's dedicated to supporting men from all classes, all backgrounds and all contexts. I believe that Tough Guy is the kind of initiative that we need to see more of when addressing men's mental health. In Cooper, there are Tough Guy meetings in Preston, Reservoir, Northcote, Thornbury and Alphington. Shay came to my office recently to tell me about the work he's doing, and he's absolutely warmed my heart. He told me story after story of men finding connection and fulfilment from having these deeper conversations. You see, the books start the conversations, and the themes in the books often lead to other important topics that help men discuss their feelings and personal things that are happening—or maybe not. Maybe they do just talk about the book, because just being there together is an important first step to enable deeper conversations. Supporting men's mental health benefits our whole community too. It encourages less stigma around help-seeking, more positive relationships and stronger and safer communities. Fantastic work to Shay and the whole team.