Murrumbidgee Men's Group founder calls for all levels of government to establish men's wellness centre in Wagga

Rhys Cummins, a Wagga Wagga local and founder of the Murrumbidgee Men’s Group has called on the people of the Riverina to support a new petition proposing the establishment of a men’s wellness centre in Wagga Wagga. Photo: Supplied.

The founder of the Murrumbidgee Men’s Group Rhys Cummins has called on Wagga Wagga City Council, the Australian Federal Department of Health and the NSW Department of Health to deliver a men’s wellness centre in Wagga.

Mr Cummins and the Murrumbidgee Men’s Group have put forth a petition on Change.org stating, “A men’s wellness centre will provide holistic support to the men of our city and surrounding areas”.

“Men in our region, like others around the country, encounter many health challenges including mental health, physical health, family and relationship issues, legal issues and many more,” the petition reads.

“This centre can help to bridge the gap by providing holistic support encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health. A wellness centre in Wagga will be a safe space for men to initiate health-related conversations and provide crucial resources to the men of our region.

“We urge health authorities and government to take action on this important matter to support the men of our region. Please sign this petition to show your support for the establishment of a men’s wellness centre in Wagga.”

Wagga Wagga councillor and candidate for Riverina in the upcoming federal election, Richard Foley, said he approached Mr Cummins and the Murrumbidgee Men’s Group to advocate for the facility around 12 months ago and would fully support the movement.

“Obviously, I am all for it and support him in pushing that forward,” Cr Foley said.

“I’ve already drafted a private member’s bill in relation to it for the upcoming federal election and have asked private candidates to support it, so that way whoever wins can bring it forward into parliament.

“Women, quite rightly, have a lot of great services here in town and although that could do with some improvements as well, men have no real services tailor-made to men’s needs.

“There’s a lot of issues for men that are greatly different to women’s issues, so it makes sense that men would need places specifically for their issues that they can deal with, with the other men.”

As of writing the petition has just surpassed 350 signatures. People looking to support the petition can do so by visiting change.org here.