First Nations Telegraph

Elim Beach. Image: supplied

Apunipima Cape York Health Council (ACYHC) is hosting its annual Cape York Men’s Health Summit in Hope Vale this week.

The event is being organised by Apunipima’s Social & Emotional Wellbeing team and will see 120 males from all over Cape York descend on Elim Beach for a week of camping with a focus on men’s health.

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The theme of the week is ‘growing together as fathers, providers and protectors’ and there will be a range of activities and discussions throughout the week, focusing on men’s business with a host of talented guest speakers presenting over the whole week.

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“We’re very excited about the return of the Apunipima Men’s Health Summit in 2022. We haven’t been able to hold a Men’s Summit for the last two years due to Covid, so there’s been a lot of interest in this year’s event. Our male staff are excited to be hosting so many men from across the Cape and providing a space where they can come together to talk about issues that are important to them,” said Apunipima CEO, Debra Malthouse.

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Headlining the week will be one of FNQ’s funniest comedians, Sean Choolburra. The very popular former cultural dancer will address the summit with his unique blend of history, cultural knowledge and spiritual wisdom, delivered with loads of energy and plenty of cheek.

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Also speaking throughout the summit will be BBM Cairns’ National TalkBlack radio host Trevor Tim, former Gold Coast Titans player Davin Crompton and more including academics, athletes, motivational speakers and health industry professionals. 

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The guest speakers will be sharing the microphone with some of Apunipima’s Health Promotion crews including the Tackling Indigenous Smoking, Sexual Health and RHD teams that will present on some of the key health issues facing Cape York’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. There’ll also be live music, networking and group activities and nightly campfire yarns.

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“The week is a great opportunity for men from across the Cape to get together, share their stories and hear from distinguished speakers and talk about health issues that matter to them as fathers, providers and protectors in their communities,” Ms Malthouse said.

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The event runs all week from Monday 13th to Friday 17th June, 2022.