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About Us

About the Regional Men’s Health Initiative

Wheatbelt Men’s Health (Inc.) (WMH) is a not for profit organisation formed to raise awareness of men’s wellbeing and health.

The organisation was formed in May 2002. Our office is based in Northam and we service regional, rural and remote WA.

WMH (Inc.) emphasis is on men’s holistic wellbeing and health, which means the whole person and understanding problems/issues in the context of life. When we consider the individual we believe we are more than just physical and mental beings, the often neglected element, is our “social/spiritual” wellbeing.

We promote the requirement that it is important to know and understand the story behind our identity and what it is that makes us an individual.

We engage with men on their terms and go to where the blokes are.

Since July 2010 WMH has been delivering “The Regional Men’s Health Initiative”.

Strategic Plan For The Regional Men's Health

Team

Owen Catto

Owen Catto

Executive Officer/Senior Community Educator

Owen is married with three adult children. He completed a Bachelor of Business in Agriculture and farmed in partnership with his father for 18 years in Morawa while also operating a farm consultancy business. After selling the family farm in 2005 Owen and his family travelled across Australia for a year whilst home schooling the children.

Owen’s interest is in empowering men to move forward and embrace changes in their family relationships, wellbeing and health. Since 2007 Owen has worked specifically in men’s holistic wellbeing and health, presenting a range of educational programs and strategies for men, their families and communities.

Terry Melrose

Terry Melrose

Senior Community Educator

Terry originates from Rockhampton in Central Queensland. He has worked in youth services and provided personal care and support within both a hospital and disability service setting before completing a BA of Social Work.

Terry travelled to Western Australia as part of his life adventure to pursue a Social Work role with the Department of Human Services which led to his involvement with the WA Pilot of Drought Reform.

Men’s holistic health and wellbeing and working in a regional setting has always been an area of interest for Terry. Since 2012, this has now become a reality, working in his role as Senior Community Educator with The Regional Men’s Health Initiative.

Glen Dunkerton

Glen Dunkerton

Community Educator

Glen has lived in regional Western Australia for the past 30 years and is married with five children. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Education, specifically English and Health/Physical Education. Glen’s considerable experience teaching adolescents has opened his eyes to the different ways that young men learn, react, develop and perceive risk.

Since joining the team in 2018 Glen has relished his role at Regional Men’s Health and the opportunities that it offers to contribute to the ongoing promotion and development of holistic wellbeing and health for men in regional, rural and remote Western Australia.

Chris Gibbs

Community Educator

Chris was raised in regional and metropolitan locations by his family in the hotel trade. He settled in the metropolitan area until moving to York with his wife and children in 2017.

As a musician of 35 years, including 15 years of music training roles in the VET sector, Chris has experienced the challenges of self-employment, the gig economy, and work / life balance. Chris volunteers on numerous committees including the York Agricultural Society as President.

Chris brings life experience in fatherhood, small business, the arts, and passion for education to RMHI, aiming to support regional men in their lives.

Michael Kaufman

Community Educator

Michael is married with 2 children, after completing a diploma in hospitality management he worked in various remote resorts around Australia. Michael is also a reservist with the ADF.

Michael used his hospitality and management experience to pursue a career in liquor retail and was fortunate enough to work in regional WA, SA and NT.

After discovering limited support services for men who have mental health challenges in country areas Michael completed a Certificate IV in Mental Health. Combining his qualifications and connection to regional areas through country footy this then led him to pursue his passion for providing holistic support and education for men living in regional, rural and remote WA.

Management Committee

The Regional Men’s Health Initiative is supported by a strong management team. Members are:

Mr Ross Ditchburn – Chairperson
Mr Rick Kennedy – Treasurer
Mrs Sonja Manuel – Secretary
Mr Chayce Creedy – Vice Chairperson
Mr Stephen Carr – Committee Member
Mr Wayne Barnden – Committee Member
Mr Rod Shemeld – Committee Member

Mr Owen Catto – Executive Officer

Welcome from the Chair

Welcome to the Regional Men’s Health Initiative Website. The Regional men’s health team are all passionate about working with the “warriors” (men) in our society and their partners to improve everyone’s ability to deal with all aspects of our health and wellbeing.

I hope you will spend time browsing the website. It will give you a chance to meet the team as well as give you information about what we do and if you wish how to contact us about your issues or concerns.

The website is also one way for you to “Talk to a Mate®”. Part of our philosophy is to encourage mates to help each other out when there may be a few issues in our lives that we are struggling with.

So enjoy the journey, share what you learn and help us by making suggestions. We all learn from each other and sharing experiences is probably the best way to gain relevant information.