Tony McManus Travels from VIC
Fee Range: POA
Tony McManus's Biography
Tony McManus’ keynote presentation shares a very personal story about rising up from the devastating loss of a family member into a number of simple life saving stories and strategies that are having a positive impact on Australia’s Mental Health crisis.
With a passion focused on the Mental Health solution of Social Connection, Tony shares tips and observations that not only point individuals into the right direction to seek help but can also be used to help companies and organisations become employers of choice through simple strategies that help Work Life balance.
Tony McManus has an extensive involvement with organisations across a diverse range of sectors. These roles have ranged from committee member to chairman and have allowed him to develop skills and understand the intricacies involved in establishing and maintaining relationships between not-for-profits and community groups that he has been associated with and the corporate and Government sector. He focuses on identifying strategic mutual benefits and win / win outcomes. Tony passionately promotes the Mental Health Solution of Social Connection through Mentoring and Volunteering via his Facebook page.
Being an alumni of the Committee for Geelong’s Leaders for Geelong programs, sharpened his focus on the needs and issues that impact on what is required to make a difference towards improving a local communities social, economic, cultural and environmental quality of life.
After his brother Mick took his own life, a passion in helping others deal with Mental Health issues began and has resulted in among other thing’s the successful lobbying of the Geelong and Hawthorn football clubs to play annually for the AFL beyondblue Cup as a vehicle to promote awareness about and reduce stigma in the community about Depression. He was also a part of the AFL 2017 Premier’s the Western Bulldogs Sons Of The West Mens Health Project. He helped to launch beyondblue’s Blue Collar worker focussed Davo’s – Man Therapy campaign. He has been appointed as a National Ambassador for beyondblue and is a Community Ambassador for RU OK?
A sought after speaker at all levels of the community for beyondblue and RU OK? across South East Australia, he is at ease dealing with workers in an industrial shed “tool box” environment, community leaders or captains of industry in a boardroom setting and conference or seminar. His story telling creates empathy and empowers members of his audiences to share their mental health issues with others and simplifies the key questions about seeking help. Females gain a better understanding of what their partner may be experiencing.
A member of the CEO Institute (Certified CEO) for over 15 years he has an incredible list of personal contacts in peak bodies and a wide range of medium to large businesses.
His work has been reported in the Sunday Age, ABC TV and Radio and a number of times in the Geelong Advertiser. He is a regular guest on 93.9 BayFM and was a nominee for the inaugural Australian Mental Health Prize in 2016.
Tony’s key achievements:
Conceived and initiated the introduction of the AFL’s beyondblue Cup between Geelong and Hawthorn. Now played Nationally across all levels in Australia.
Mental Health Advocate who focuses on the importance of Social Connection as a Mental Health Solution and also a simple Corporate Social Responsibility outcome.
Founder of Connect 2 Grow. Highlighting how ordinary people are doing extraordinary things though Volunteering and Mentoring. 2016 Nominee Aust. Mental Health Prize
His work has been reported in the Sunday Age, ABC TV and Radio and a number of times in the Geelong Advertiser. He is a regular guest on 93.9 BayFM
National Ambassador of beyondblue, Community Ambassador of RU OK?, Founder of a successful Community Bank, “Bollies” Geelong Community Business Award winner.
Appeared in The Project on Channel 10’s story about a “Veteran’s Final Resting Place” as a spin off from a Volunteer Tourism project in Papua New Guinea.
Speaking Topics Include
Solving a WW2 mystery whilst on a Volunteer Tourism Project
How engaging in a Volunteer Tourism Project as a Mental Health solution on a remote “Gilligan’s Island” off the North West of PNG is closing the final chapter of a tragic WW2 event
Simple minimal cost strategies to Volunteer your way to happiness
Social Connection as a highly effective Mental Health solution. Using the mantra “the best exercise that you can do is to help someone else who is down to get up”
It's not all about work! The other side of the Work Life Balance equation
Reducing presenteeism through simple strategies that help you become an employer of choice who has a strong community profile
Creating an environment where it is ok to say “I am not ok”
Getting on the front foot to increase awareness and reduce the stigma associated with tackling the Black Dog
Team Building To Create A Premiership Team
Applying the Geelong Cats (3 recent AFL Grand Finals) and Costa Groups (one of Australia’s largest wholesale distributors and exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables) Core Value strategies to an SME to create a winning team.