C’MON

MAY 8

IT’S TIME TO DO SOMETHING

SO LET’S GET TO WORK

“WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE,

MORE IS SAID THAN DONE.”

It’s something that is true of the issue relating to Gender-based violence towards women in Australia.

As blokes, we mean well but most of us are just talk.

The simple fact is we’re not doing enough.

Research in 2023 found that…

86% of men acknowledge they haVE a critical role in the prevention of violence against Women, but only 6% have actively helped*

*through monetary donations, volunteering time, educating themselves or others.

So basically, talk is cheap.

It’s time to get together as mates and do things that make a real difference TO THE LIVES OF WOMEN.

Things like…

Volunteering our time

Making donations

Having conversations

Educating others

All this stuff we can do, but most of us don’t.

Maybe because it’s hard to know what difference you alone can make.

But as mates, maybe it will be easier for us to take action if we do it together.

We’re not going to do this in the conventional way. We’re going to do it in a way that encourages and motivates Men to take action.

Why May 8?

Well maaaate, it’s a commitment to make the year ahead better than the year just gone.

May 8 2024 was the starting date. The journey we go on from here will take some twists and turns as we educate ourselves and our mates, but our goal is absolute.

Every year on this date we want to measure that 6% number and see it increase.

How are we going to do it?

The ideas will come from you (and us) and the activities and work we do will be done together as mates.

Maybe it’s starting a May8 Run Club, where every run adds money to a refuge or shelter.

Maybe it’s a golf trip where you also volunteer time at one of the many charitable organisations that need help.

Maybe it’s giving you conversation starters with your mates next time you’re making pizzas in the backyard.

Whatever it is, it involves action - and it starts today. You can MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

All you have to do for now is pledge to take action sometime before May 8 2025.

You don’t have to say what you’ll do, you just have to say “I’m in mate” - and then leave the rest to us.

FAQs

We don’t have all the answers yet (by design), but here are some to questions you might be thinking of.

  • Why Not? We needed a date to start this initiative and it needs more urgent action than waiting for White Ribbon Day (Nov 25). Plus we like a pun mate.

  • No we aren’t a registered charity (yet) but all our activities are volunteer and not-for-profit.

  • This cause has many fantastic organisations working towards the same outcome - to eradicate Gender-based violence towards women. We aren’t affiliated with any one organisation (yet) but we expect to be educated and inspired by many in this space over our journey.

  • 3 Mates. Paul Chappell (‘Chappy’), Ben Lucas (‘Benno’), and Wade Kingsley (‘never really had a nickname’). We all have experience in the media and creative services industries and are passionate about this cause.

  • For now, just register your pledge to take action over the next 12 months. You can do that by clicking here. We won’t spam you - but we will be in touch with some ideas on how you can take action.

  • Gender-based violence towards women (and families) is a huge concern for all of Australian society. We aren’t experts in this subject - far from it. We do however believe we can create initiatives that ask the 86% of Men to do more than they currently are. The 14% who don’t believe they can play a critical role in this issue can and should be the focus of other organisations with more experience in the relevant areas.

  • We’ve just launched this website. Soon we will be on socials. Then we will plan some more events and info in the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned. If you sign up here, you’ll be informed on what happens next.

  • For now, just nominate yourself. We’ll be sending you some stuff that you can send to your mates to get them involved.

  • Yep of course. You may even meet some new mates from the activities we undertake.

  • Contact Wade Kingsley - either via LinkedIn or gday@may8.org.