About Blokepedia

Blokepedia was started in January 2017 by Josh Quarmby with the aim of getting men talking about issues that affect them, from mental and physical health through to relationships. What originally started as a simple blog site is now growing into a unique mix of online and face to face resources for men. This growth is driven by insight and feedback from the Blokepedia audience: the many men are looking for a way to connect with other men to share their stories and begin important conversations and provide support for each other.





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

Networking

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.





Dan Lewin

Founder, The Men’s Health Dietitian





Dan is dedicated to challenging the stigma associated with men talking about their food, eating and body image concerns. He has had a lived experience with an Eating Disorder, and understands the physical, mental and social consequences of not seeking support.

As a Board Member of the National Association for Males with Eating Disorders and a Global Ambassador for the Body Image Movement, Dan gets a great sense of satisfaction working with the community and raising awareness of these issues. In addition to his private practice work,

Dan is passionate about supporting workplaces to develop positive food cultures to enhance the health and wellbeing of employees.