Former Melbourne Football Club AFL premiership star, and current Essendon AFLW Development Coach Ben Brown, will join a panel of local sporting leaders as part of the 2025 Awareness to Action Forum.
To be held place on Wednesday 10 December from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Powerhouse Place, Ben will provide the Keynote address at the event before taking part in the special panel featuring local sporting leaders.
Councillor for Community Development and Gender Equity Katie Clements encouraged those interested to join the conversation on the night.
"This forum is an important opportunity for everyone involved in local sport to explore their role in promoting respectful relationships in clubs and in our community," Cr Clements said.
"The night will also act as a safe space for men to speak openly about their experiences and learn how to access support for themselves or their families.
"Everyone is welcome to attend, with audience members to have the chance to submit a question for Ben Brown and the panel prior to the forum."
The event will also feature information stalls courtesy of Mallee Family Care, Mallee Sexual Assault Unit Inc. Mallee Domestic Violence Services and headspace Mildura.
A premiership forward during Melbourne's drought-breaking 2021 AFL season, Ben is now the Head of Development with Essendon's AFLW program.
He is also an advocate for inclusion, gender equality and social justice.
Those interested can register online at https://events.humanitix.com/awareness-to-action-forum-2025
The event also coincides with the 16 Days of Activism campaign - a global campaign calling for action to end gender-based violence.
Locally, the Respect Mallee campaign aims to bring our community together to raise awareness, spark conversations, and take action to prevent violence against women, girls, and gender-based violence in our community.
