Community wellbeing events
The Man Cave – Parent Experience
Thu, 10 Sep, 7pm - 8:30pm AEST
The Man Cave
Brunswick VIC, Australia
"Step inside the room where teenage boys actually open up."
This is a practical, experiential workshop, not a keynote or a lecture. Parents will leave having used TMC's tools firsthand, with shared language and at least one thing they can do differently at home. Best suited to parents of boys, especially teenage boys.
Broad outcomes: by the end of the Parent Experience, parents will:
- Experience firsthand the tools and activities the Man Cave uses in workshops.
- Feel more confident and equipped to connect with their son using shared language and simple strategies.
- Leave with a clearer sense of what their son may be carrying, and one thing they can do differently at home.
- Feel a sense of connection and community with other parents, realising they are not alone in what they are navigating.
Bookings essential
Winter Wellness: Don't Let Winter Slow You Down!
Winter is here, and while the colder weather can make it tempting to stay under a blanket all day, it's important to keep looking after your health. Colds, flu and other bugs spread more easily during winter, but there are plenty of ways to stay on top of your game:
❄️ Aim for 8–10 hours of sleep each night
🥗 Fuel your body with healthy food and plenty of water
🏃 Keep moving – sport, walking, dancing or any activity you enjoy counts!
🧼 Wash your hands regularly and cover coughs and sneezes
🏠 Stay home and rest if you're feeling unwell
😊 Make time for friends, family and activities that help you feel good
It’s also not too late to get the flu vaccine. Getting your flu vaccine can:
💪 Help protect you from getting sick
📚 Reduce missed school days and activities
❤️ Help protect babies, grandparents and others who may be more vulnerable
🛡️ Slow the spread of flu in our school community
A few simple healthy habits can help you stay well, stay active and make the most of everything winter has to offer! 🌟❄️🏃♀️🏃♂️
For more information:
2026 Influenza (flu) vaccination – Consumer fact sheet
Immunisation Yarra Ranges Council
Adolescent vaccinations | Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation | SKAI
Body Safety and Consent- FREE webinar
Thursday 10 September | 7.30pm to 9.30pm | Online
Join this supportive webinar for parents and carers of children aged 1 to 10 years. Learn practical ways to talk about body safety and consent with children in age-appropriate ways.
Violence Is Never OK delivered by the Pat Cronin Foundation.
As part of Heathmont College’s commitment to student wellbeing, the year 10s took part in the Violence Is Never OK presentation delivered by the Pat Cronin Foundation this week. This session empowers young Australians to say no to violence by helping them understand its consequences and the importance of making wise, safe choices.
Click on the attachment to find out more about the presentation and how you can support your child with follow up at home.
An online masterclass with Maggie Dent & The Man Cave CEO Ben Vasiliou
Join us live Wednesday, 23rd September from 1pm (Sydney time) or watch the replay in your own time.
FOR PARENTS & EDUCATORS OF TEEN & TWEEN BOYSThe digital world did not invent the idea that boys and men must be strong, successful, dominant, in control and emotionally tough. However, it has certainly amplified it, especially for young men.
We only need look at the statistics around boys’ literacy, school readiness, behaviour, loneliness, men’s mental health, suicide and male violence to see the cost of these rigid, persistent stereotypes.
So, what do today’s boys really need from us, to move beyond these narrow ideas of boyhood so they can one day grow into healthy, happy, respectful, accountable, whole-hearted and connected men?
In this masterclass, Maggie Dent is joined by another ‘boy champion’, CEO of The Man Cave Ben Vasiliou, who has his ear to the ground when it comes to our boys and young men, having worked with more than 110,000 Aussie lads.
In this lunchtime session, Maggie and Ben will explore:
◆︎ Why the OECD has said there is a ‘boy crisis’ and what it means.
◆︎ The real voices of our tween and teen boys — what Ben’s hearing from boys about their main concerns, and how adults can help build optimism and positivity.
◆︎ The 'man box' — are these traditional social norms persisting or shifting for the today’s adolescents?
◆︎ Why so many boys are struggling with gambling challenges.
◆︎ What messages boys are hearing about being a man and how this might be contributing to the increased teen boy loneliness and social isolation.
◆︎ Why boys create masks on the bridge to adulthood and what role they play.
◆︎ The root causes of disruptive behaviour, especially in terms of boys’ sense of self or self-worth, and around fear of failure.
◆︎ Why boys tend to struggle in silence (especially when they’re really struggling) and how we can change their perspective on help-seeking behaviours.
◆︎ Preparing and guiding boys for their emerging sexual awakening in healthy ways.
◆︎ Ben’s three foundations for a healthy identity that give a boy permission to “feel deeply, think critically and act responsibly”.
Join us and become part of shifting what's possible for our boys...