Why Blokepedia?
Men need a way to be able to talk about things beyond the superficial. They need to share their stories and discuss topics they don’t openly talk about. Topics like their mental health, their relationships and their lifestyle. It is anticipated that through responsible conversation a number of social issues and topics will be addressed.

Our Launch Event
The evening will include canapes and drinks on arrival, as well as an opportunity to network and connect with those in attendance. There will be a range of speakers with diverse backgrounds and experiences presenting on men’s health and well-being, as well as the importance of men connecting and sharing their stories.

Evening includes:
Canapes and drink on arrival
Silent Auction to raise funds for RUOK?

Our Speakers

David Shillington
Former NRL Player / QLD Manager for the Men of League Foundation

Following his retirement from rugby league, former NRL player and Australian representative David Shillington has been working throughout the community to lessen the stigma associated with mental health and increase everyone’s mental health literacy.

Shillington has found that those whom he presents to feel comfortable in opening up to him with at times very personal issues and that the depth of the problem is far greater than he could possibly have imagined.

“When one person shares one story it’s like a domino effect. All of a sudden people want to share their stories.”

Daryl Elliott Green
Speaker, Awarded Queensland Police Service ‘Valour Award’

Daryl’s life was shattered in 2000 when he was TWICE SHOT in the face and shoulder while on a routine callout to a neighbourhood dispute. Despite critical injuries, he drew his firearm and began searching for the gunman. A year later, for his actions that night, he was awarded for his bravery, but Daryl was only just embarking on his harrowing road to recovery.

What followed was a decade of dark times. It’s only through sheer grit and determination, and the support of those around him, that Daryl made his way back from the depths of despair.

Today, Daryl shares his powerful life lessons through his TWICE SHOT talks, workshops and programs. With a natural gift for public speaking, he captivates and inspires his audience, bringing people from tears to laughter, providing them with a truly transformative experience.

Peter Rowe
Author, exhibiting artist, presenter and motivational speaker

Peter Rowe is a talented Author, exhibiting artist, presenter and motivational speaker. Born with Down syndrome and other conditions that limit his ability to speak, Peter is now able to share his voice and his story after being introduced to Facilitated Communication in his early thirties. Facilitated Communication allows Peter to tap his words out letter by letter with the assistance of a facilitator who then speaks his words. Words that are changing social perception and breaking down barriers.

Since finding a way to share his voice and his story, Peter is committed to sharing his passion for the importance of community connections. Peter believes that regardless of abilities when people are connected to and part of their communities they are more likely to feel valued and less likely to become isolated. This Peter believes is something we are all responsible for, “it is a social responsibility that we all need to step up to, to create inclusive communities that encourage us to care about each other and to create opportunities where we all feel heard”.

Justin Geange
Mates In Construction Officer / R U OK? Community Ambassador

Justin Geange is a member of the Mates in Construction Lived Experience Speakers Hub and also a Community Ambassador for RUOK. He is a plumber by trade and has spent the last 21 years in the construction and rail industries.

Having his own lived experience of suicide and battles with Bipolar and Depression, Justin is passionate about starting conversations with people in regards to Mental Health and suicide prevention.

Alongside running his own plumbing business he is now working as a field officer for Mates in Construction Queensland while also currently completing his Batchelor of Social Science in Psychology.