BETTER MEN Australia honoured at Parliament House with International Men's Day Award
Posted August 18, 2009
Rob Koch, Founding Director of BETTER MEN Australia was presented with an International Men's Day Award at NSW Parliament House by the Hon. Greg Smith on November 19 2008 in recognition for his work and support for Australian men and fathers.
The award and event was initiated by Warwich Marsh, Founder of Dads 4 Kids Fatherhood Foundation, who brought this report:
The theme of the International Men's Day 2008 was 'Honour and Sacrifice' . This commemorates what our Aussie men, sons, fathers and grandfathers, both past and present, have sacrificed for their families, communities, and the nation." The event was celebrated in the historic Parkes Room at New South Wales Parliament House, where a minute's silence was observed at 1PM in memory of the 645 men who lost their life on the 19th November 1941.
Speakers at the event included men's health advocates Prof. John McDonald and Dr. Elizabeth Celi, plus Rob Koch, founding director of BETTER MEN Australia who summed up the purpose of International Men's Day:
"November 19 is a date to validate. Men don't seem to need recognition, approval or appreciation but when it does come his way, even on just one day, he can stand a little taller all the other days. He may shrug off the attention at the time but there will be a noticeably new spring in his step. That's got to be good for everyone."
"November 19 is a date to validate. Men don't seem to need recognition, approval or appreciation but when it does come his way, even on just one day, he can stand a little taller all the other days. He may shrug off the attention at the time but there will be a noticeably new spring in his step. That's got to be good for everyone." 
