Welcome! I am now retired. But, I once was involved in changing perceptions about men's health in Australia. My colleagues and I discovered that men, in safe and well-facilitated groups, could and would talk about and address their health related concerns. This was true of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous males.
I am also living with Parkinson's Disease.
On this site, I'll be reflecting on my research, practice and life experience. I am particularly concerned to show how men have set the conditions for survival in adverse circumstances through various modes of care. Survival on the Burma Railway and on Antarctica required a willingness to combine bravery and compassion.
Australian men have demonstrated this repeatedly. At this time, it is important to remember the positive aspects of masculinity.
My own work has been shaped by that of Aaron Antonovsky. Antonovsky sought to move the focus from pathology to health generation. He coined the concept of Salutogenesis (health generation) to emphasise the need to move from therapeutic mindsets to considering the resources required to gain and maintain health. Men respond very positively to this strengths-based approach.
This site is just one of several web-based "hobby farms" that I am curating. I am developing the site to enhance my ability to participate in the larger community under my new circumstances.
Respecting and Rejoicing
We pay our respects to the Elders and people of the Nations upon whose land we have lived, learned and worked. We are grateful to have had the chance to raise our immediate family on these lands. We rejoice in the rising generations.