Walk, Talk, Support: The Man Walk Torquay celebrate three years

THE TORQUAY branch of Australian men’s health group ‘The Man Walk’ have celebrated their three-year anniversary, encouraging men to connect and support each other by walking and talking to assist their physical and mental health.

Last week, the Torquay group gathered for a special anniversary walk and a meal and pot at Bird Rock Cafe, toasting the special occasion and the friendships and connections that have been made along the way.

The Man Walk is an Australia-wide community initiative founded in 2018 by Kiama physiotherapist Mark Burns who aimed to connect men to make friendships and bonds over something as simple as a walk in his locality.

Fast forward through four years of walking, talking, supporting and spreading the word, the group is set up in all states and territories around Australia, with between 70 and 80 regional groups connecting men to promote the fact that it’s ok to talk about their feelings.

The Man Walk is even registered and undertaken overseas in Derbyshire in the United Kingdom, Drinan in Ireland and in Niagara, Pelham on Canada.

Torquay Man Walk co-founder Peter Kelly said the Surf Coast branch of the group were thrilled to make it to their three-year milestone, citing that he feels the group has become a great way of promoting men’s physical and mental health.

“It’s awesome to reach the three-year milestone and to celebrate and reinforce all the great connections and friendships that we have made over the last several years of walking together,” Kelly said.

Mr Kelly said the group was set up through mutual connections from the Geelong branch group who were keen to begin a Torquay chapter.

“After following up on setting up the group down here in our locality, we initially had four walkers who participated, a number that has now grown to around 50 people who have come and walked at one stage or another,” Mr Kelly said.

“Our group gives blokes the chance to just get together, do some exercise and meet people that they haven’t had the chance to meet in the area.

“It’s all based around this concept of social connection being good for both mental and physical health.”

Mr Kelly encouraged any men in the area to get involved in the cause and that they would be welcomed in with open arms.

“Most of the guys come from various backgrounds but all definitely enjoy coming together and having a bit of a chew and going for a walk,” Mr Kelly said.

“It’s a pretty simple concept, but one we definitely enjoy and see plenty of benefit in.”

To get involved in the Man Walk in Torquay you can join the group at facebook.com/groups/670110220133799.

The group gather at 7am at the Salty Dog Cafe in Torquay each Saturday morning.

To see more about The Man Walk, go to themanwalk.com.au.