MenAble INC

26/01/2026

Fostering Character in Teenage Boys: Why It Matters More Than Ever.

Supporting boys moving into adulthood can feel like navigating shifting sand. Expectations around masculinity are changing, technology is louder than ever, and many boys are struggling with loneliness, anxiety, and uncertainty about who they’re meant to become. In this landscape, helping boys build strong character, understand and enact their values and develop skills to navigate setbacks, risks and change is invaluable.

Character is more than good behaviour. It’s the inner framework that shapes how a young man treats others, pursues goals, manages emotions, and contributes to his community. It includes moral qualities like kindness and honesty, performance traits like grit and responsibility, and deeper dimensions such as purpose, identity, and emotional awareness.

In a society that has lost many of the traditional rites of passage processes, parents as well as the village of wider family, sporting clubs, groups and peers can have a role in supporting the shift from boyhood to manhood.

Many boys today face mixed messages. Society often rewards looks, popularity, money, and success, yet when you dig deeper, boys say they care deeply about relationships, trust, purpose, and growth. They’re also navigating powerful pressures to “be manly,” often defined by toughness, stoicism, or dominance. These rigid norms can limit emotional expression and make it harder for boys to reach out for help.

So how do we support young men navigating the challenge of adolescence?

It starts with connection. Boys grow through relationships, reflection, and repair rather than the lectures or punishment some adults can default to. Modelling matters more than talking. When adults live their values, boys see what integrity looks like in action.

Encourage healthy risk‑taking, not reckless behaviour via challenges that build confidence, independence, and resilience is also important. Intentionally create space for honest conversations where boys feel heard rather than judged. Help them explore their values and notice when their actions don’t align. Celebrate small wins.

Most importantly, strengthen boys inner voice and decrease the external voices and noise. Helping rebalance this sees boys build skills that supports trust in their judgement, understanding of their emotions, and capacity to act from purpose rather than pressure.

Character isn’t built in perfect moments, it’s built in the cracks. When boys stumble, reflect, repair, and rise again, they build character and grow into the kind of men our communities need.

Thanks to the Busselton Man Walk fellas who engaged in a great discussion on this important topic following this mornings walk.

Assisting boys to navigate the conflicting messages around "Acceptance versus Aspiration" and the drive to change (including the hazards of being told they can be anything they want to) was one of the topics covered in the session.

09/01/2026

Another impactful year for MenAble INC
Many thanks to our sponsors and partners. Particularly Rio Tinto Lions Club of Busselton Inc Shelter Brewing Co The Goose Bar & Kitchen and Sussex Masonic Lodge.
Thanks also to the wide array of collaborative partners, our directors and many volunteers plus the community and supporters who have turned up in great numbers at our events.

23/12/2025

Thank you to the more than 300 people who came together for the Walk of Unity in Busselton on 22nd December. In the aftermath of the heartbreaking events at Bondi Beach on 14/12/25, our community came together to stand against division and walk in solidarity for a more united Australia. The presence of so many from our community showed that, even in pain, we can choose love over hate and respect over division.

The Walk of Unity was a powerful step in our healing journey. It was inspiring to see Australians from all backgrounds come together, demonstrating our shared values of freedom, peace, and a fair go for all. The event paid respect to the 15 Jewish Australian lives tragically lost, those directly injured, first responders and the wider community devastated by this incident. At the event we also celebrated the spirit of Hanukkah, shining a light in the darkness and fostering connection between us.

Those attending donated more than $2300 to a Mayor’s Bondi Fund that was created for the event. All of those funds will be contributed to local healing and community rebuilding activities in the Bondi Beach community.

Special thanks to community leaders Libby Mettam and Mayor Phill Cronin for their leadership, and to the City of Busselton, Busselton Police, Coles Busselton, Shelter, and all our MenAble colleagues for their incredible support in making this event possible.

Let's continue to carry the spirit of unity fostered at the Walk of Unity and be the change our country needs.

18/12/2025

WALK OF UNITY

Join a community walk along the Busselton Foreshore to pay our respects to all the innocent victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack, and to show our respect, love, and support for the Australian Jewish Community.

Date: Monday, 22 December 2025
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Assemble in front of Shelter

All members of our community - including families and people of all faiths - are invited to participate in this Walk of Unity. This is an opportunity for individuals, groups and community leaders to all come together, support one another, grieve, and affirm our collective spirit as a peaceful and inclusive nation.

Please bring an electric candle as a universal symbol of light, hope, and guidance. Some electric candles will be available on the night. For safety reasons, we request that no flame candles are used at the walk.

No banners, please.

Supported by: MenAble INC, City of Busselton - Local Government, Libby Mettam MLA - Member for Vasse, Busselton Jetty Inc, Shelter Brewing Co and Busselton Police South West District - WA Police Force.

01/12/2025

The Man Walk were honoured to have guest presenter, Krystal Laurentsch, join us this morning as part of our engagement with the 16 days in WA campaign. Krystal presented on the topic “Why she stayed and how we can support safety”.
Many women find it incredibly difficult – and frequently highly dangerous – to leave an abusive relationship. Friends, family and communities, including work colleagues, can provide important support.
Domestic and family violence remains a major issue in Australia, affecting one in four women, with high rates of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and life long plus cross generational consequences. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience far higher rates of harm, linked to long-standing systemic disadvantage.
Leaving an abusive partner is rarely simple. Emotional factors like trauma bonding, fear, control, and hope that the relationship will improve can keep women trapped. Practical barriers such as financial dependence, lack of housing, and fear of homelessness also play a major role. Social pressures—including isolation, shame, cultural expectations, and fear of losing children—add further complexity. Importantly, the time when a woman tries to leave is often the most dangerous.
Allies can help by listening without judgment, believing the survivors story, and offering support without pressure. Providing safe resources, understanding risks, and modelling respect are essential.
Organisations such as Harbour in the South West are doing amazing work assisting with crisis accommodation and home support. Sadly, many women and children seeking support can not be accommodated. Organisations such as Harbour also provide support with safety planning involving preparing documents, identifying safe places, protecting technology, and teaching children what to do in an emergency.
All elements of our community, including workplaces can contribute by building a culture of respect that actively challenges coercion and violence, supports survivors, and promotes healthy relationships.

Also sharing their experiences at the session were Colin West, MenAble's representative on The SW White Ribbon Committee and Craig Crampton, who with MenAble Australia Inc's support, delivers the Aware360 program to teenage boys and girls in local schools promoting situational awareness and tactics for violence prevention and safety.

Krystal is Board Chair of Harbour Refuge and Support Services, CEO at Oseca Health, a Councillor with the Shire of Dardanup and prior NED at The Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence.

28/11/2025

All men invited to join the Man Walk Busselton on Monday 1st December to highlight the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

It is devastating to hear of an annual 18% increase in incidents reported to the police with the most recent statistics. In Australia, one woman is killed each 8 days by an intimate partner and 1 man each 41 days. Working together to change attitudes and actions mean we all have a role.

As part of 16 days in WA, on Monday 1st December, the Busselton Man Walk welcomes local community leader and advocate Krystal Laurentsch as guest presenter. Krystal is a Board Chair of the Harbour Refuge and Support Services board in the SouthWest as well as non-executive director on the Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence Board. She is also currently a Shire Councillor for the Shire of Dardanup and CEO of Oseca Health.

Krystal will the present a lived-experience interactive session around “safety planning” and “why she stayed” topics.

The Man Walk Nationally as well as locally are supporting the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

28/11/2025

Reboxed UK asked 11 men to pick up a phone and tell a mate “I love you, mate.”

No script. No second takes. Just real men saying real words.
The reactions say everything

Awkward. Funny. Emotional. Healing. Real.

Tell your mates you love them. It might be the call they need today.

We asked 11 men to pick up a phone and tell a mate “I love you, mate.”No script. No second takes. Just real men saying real words.The reactions say everythin...

25/11/2025

The Man Walk Busselton and MenAble were pleased to be strong supporters of the White Ribbon event and silent march today in Busselton.
Well done to all those who organised the event.
Powerful to see so many attending.
Huge shout out to Sue Riccelli who has been the driving force for White Ribbon over many years.
Big thanks to Colin West, aka Westy, who is our representative on the White Ribbon committee. Also to new MenAble board member, Adrian Kemp, who was the event MC and serves the community with his work as a Social Worker / Counsellor at South West Counselling.
The event was a powerful reminder of the prevalence and devastation of violence against women and children. As men we can always do more to shift sentiment and behaviours to combat family and domestic violence in our communities.

24/11/2025

Great to see the Aware360 self defence program continue to provide Busselton Senior High School students with great fundamental safety knowledge and skills for life.

MenAble were pleased to be foundation supporters of this program getting behind the great work of Craig Crampton at Busselton Martial Arts. Initial other supporters included Zonta Club of Dunsborough and Lions Club Busselton.

Wonderful to see Apex Busselton supporting the current courses at BSHS.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BYPJHHmR1/

22/11/2025

Interesting Q&A by Australian researcher Micheal Wilson on men struggling to navigate identity and life following the break up of relationships.

Michael Wilson is a Research Fellow with Orygen, which is the Centre for Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne. Michael’s work focuses on men’s…

20/11/2025

MenAble are pleased to be shouting the coffees at The Man Walk Australia and Invictus WA partnership launch on Friday.

Join WA Invictus regional manager, Jason Bennetts, for this special event man walk on Friday 21st December.
All male veterans and family members 18+ are invited to join us as well as existing, past and new Man Walkers.

Meet at 6.20am outside The Goose at the foreshore to pre-order coffees then enjoy a Jetty walk. Hear from Jason post walk (over coffees at the Goose) about the inspiring work of Invictus.
The Man Walk's ethos of Walk Talk and Support is a great fit with Invictus's mission.