I have had the opportunity to use the DVD material in my work as a Health Promotion Officer at Junee Correctional Centre for the last six months now. I believed in the vision of ‘What Makes a Man a Man’ so much from the start that I got my company GEO Australia to be the major sponsor of this very important men’s resource.

Dealing with men in a correctional environment for many years, I understand the lack of good role models may contribute to some of their offending behaviour. Not having a male mentor to show them the right paths to take in life is becoming increasingly more common.

I recently showed the Dean Daley Jones interview to my Aboriginal men’s group at the centre, after they watched the powerful movie ‘Mad Bastard’ in which he stars.

He is right in what he says….”Men do want to talk” and they did. It had a profound effect on the group.

I do know that men are looking for help and it is sometimes difficult for them to take the first step to finding it. What Makes a Man a Man is a virtual men’s resource that can be accessed anytime for men who are looking for help.

I think the ‘What Makes a Man a Man’ DVD is vital tool, not just for men in correctional centers, but also for all Australian men. It shows them that they are not alone, that they don’t have to struggle in silence and that even successful people have troubles of their own as well. Most importantly it shows that modern men are not indestructible and that seeking help is not a sign of male weakness, it’s a part of modern life.

On a personal level, I have found ‘What Makes a Man a Man’ has helped improve my own relationship with my six-year-old son. Since I became involved in the project I now spend more quality time with him. After work he jumps on his bike and I walk our dog ‘Ernie’. This is a very precious time for us, I ask him about his day and bizarrely he asks me about mine! Hopefully when he is his own man with his own kids he can look back on our moments in time together.

I also learned from John Bell’s interview that I can’t change the course of events or situations….something I used to worry about and now not so, I have now learned to go with the flow.

I continue to use the ‘What Makes a Man a Man’ DVD as a core element in my health promotion work at Junee Correctional Centre. I am proud to announce that GEO Australia are now in the process of using the DVD as a recidivism tool in programs throughout their other Australian Correctional facilities.

I encourage all men who want an opportunity to express their views or are looking for some guidance, to use the resources of ‘What Makes a Man a Man’.

Some men want to talk and a lot more want to listen….
Matthew Canny, Health Promotion Office, Junee Correctional Centre, NSW.