A Conversation with Victoria's Health Minister: Celebrating Dads Group's Influence

Recently, our team had the honour of sitting down with some prominent figures in Victoria's healthcare landscape. This gathering brought together the Victorian Minister of Health Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Ryan Batchelor MP and John Berger MP. Their objective? To explore the extraordinary impact that Dads Group has been making in our local communities.

The Labor Government have recognised fathers' pivotal, lifelong role in their children's lives. Their commitment to supporting fathers has been demonstrated through a significant step – a $2 million election commitment to support dads groups across Victoria. This news is nothing short of fantastic for fathers and families across the region, as it underscores the importance of support networks tailored to the unique needs of dads.

In light of this opportunity, Dads Group Podcast host Adam Burns had a chance to sit down with our CEO, Thomas Docking, to reflect on the part Dads Group has played in shifting the culture of fatherhood in Victoria, leading to this exciting $2 million election dads groups funding commitment across Victoria.

"About a decade ago, I remember walking the streets of Ringwood East and bumping into Denis Napthine, Victorian Premier, and Dee Ryall, Ringwood MP. I told them about the idea of Dads Group and the vision of every father in Australia having access to support, and they just said, "This is brilliant. It needs to happen." Here we are, nine years later, seeing this change in government.

Back then, support for dads was practically non-existent, and universally accessible resources were scarce. Fast forward a decade, and Dads Group has achieved universal access to online support and over 150 Dads Groups around Australia. Now, any dad can connect with a psychologist for a free initial session within 24 hours—a groundbreaking change.

We've joined forces with an organisation called SMS for Dads, offering remote digital services for fathers across Australia. Our podcast reaches hundreds, serving as a valuable source of support and connection. We host various online groups across different platforms, uniting over 5,000 people and providing essential links to support.

This year, the Victorian government has allocated funding for dad's groups—the first such instance in Australia and possibly worldwide. This represents a significant milestone in our journey, a testament to our successful efforts in advocating for and transforming the culture of fatherhood, particularly in Victoria.

The $2 million funding allocation for dad's groups is solid proof of our progress. Going back nine years, Dads Group needed to seek support from external stakeholders. Seeking financial partnerships and support was a challenge, and reactions varied. Corporate entities often required proof of concept before offering funding, while nurses, maternal child health nurses, and midwives recognised the need for equipping fathers but lacked the resources to do so. The culture was different, and fathers felt excluded from parenting groups.

We've come a long way in a decade, but it wasn't just Dads Group. The Australian Father Consortium and Healthy Male also played pivotal roles in building an evidence base for the need to support fathers. Today, the government has recognised this need, and we're excited to apply for part of the funding alongside the local councils we are partnering with to implement these transformative programs.

For those outside Victoria, the next steps involve contacting local and federal MPs and local councils to advocate for similar support. The success in Victoria can serve as a model and a potent argument to compel action from government representatives. It's an exciting time, and we must continue to push for change and recognition at the federal level.

The message is clear: our efforts have made a difference, and the funding in Victoria is evidence of that. It's time to celebrate the collective contributions of everyone in our network. This acknowledgment is a testament to the impact we've made in the perinatal period, and it's time to take pride in our achievements."