The Gathering

The Gathering is a weekend event for men of all ages run by the Centre for Men and Families Australia. A lot has been said about toxic masculinity and the damage it does in our society. The Gathering is a celebration of healthy masculinity where men can be equipped to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. 

Whether you are new to the CFMF community, or a regular face, there will be something for you. The Gathering will include electives and workshops to help you navigate the beauty and pain of life as a man, along with plenty of time to relax, unwind and connect. 

Keynote Speaker for 2025: Jarrod McKenna 

Jarrod McKenna is an award-winning peace activist, and community organiser whose life and work reflect a deep commitment to nonviolence, justice, and compassion. Drawing inspiration from contemplative traditions, the Peace Church movements, the Catholic Worker ethos, and the prophetic Black Church tradition, Jarrod has worked alongside marginalized communities, including those who are unhoused, imprisoned, detained, or seeking refuge.

His advocacy for human rights and climate justice has been featured by international outlets such as the BBC, Al-Jazeera, and The Guardian, and his grassroots efforts have inspired transformative movements like “Love Makes A Way,” Australia’s largest faith-based nonviolent civil disobedience initiative. As a pastor in Melbourne and Perth, and co-host of the InVerse Podcast with Dr. Drew Hart, Jarrod continues to challenge and inspire others to reimagine contemplation and action in the pursuit of justice.

Jarrod lives on Wadjuk Noongar land in Perth, Australia, with his wife Kat and their five sons, who are his greatest teachers.

Richard Rohr has said of Jarrod McKenna, “It’s amazing that we should need to tell people that Jesus taught and surely lived a nonviolent life. And almost as amazing—and wonderful—that Jarrod McKenna should be able to teach it so well in our time and culture.”

Speaker and Poet for 2025: David Tensen 

David Tensen is an Australian poet, author, and teacher known for his evocative and soulful writing. Blending elements of personal experience, spirituality, and deep empathy, David’s poetry has gained widespread acclaim for its capacity to touch the human spirit – offering readers solace and connection in times of struggle and growth. With a background in leadership, pastoral care, and emotional healing, David brings a unique blend of compassion and insight to his craft, which is evident in both his public speaking and four published collections. David is married to Natalie, has 3 young adult children, and lives on the Sunshine Coast where he currently spends his work-week in aged care chaplaincy, lecturing, and completing a PhD at UniSC.

Discover more at www.davidtensen.com

The Gathering 2025 

Cost: 

Early Bird $395 (closes 5th April 2025)

Full Price: $455 (closes 19th May 2025)

Day Passes: $300 (closes 19th May 2025)

Date: 30th May – 1st June 2024 – Arrival 4-5pm Friday and Depart 2pm Sunday 

Venue: The Outlook, 4001 Ipswich Boonah Rd, Boonah QLD

All meals, accommodation, bedding and all sessions are included in the cost.

Payment Options: Full amount can be paid by Credit, Debit Card or Direct Debit. To secure your place without playing the full amount immediately a $100 deposit can be made by choosing Direct Debit at checkout, then transfer $100 to the listed account.

Can’t come for the whole weekend? Come for a day instead!

We have a number of options for men that may only be able to attend one day, or live local and would prefer to sleep at home. Click the buttons below to register. 

Come along for the full Saturday which includes all meals and full Saturday program

Come along for Sunday which includes breakfast and lunch, and Sunday program (event wraps up at 2pm)

Attend the whole event and sleep at home which includes all meals and full program Friday-Sunday

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us: admin@cfma.org.au

Elective Speakers 2025:

Please click on the photos for speaker bio’s.

Eldering At Any Age

David Tensen

We are living an average of 30 years longer than our ancestors. The population will increase fourfold from 1950 to 2050. We haven’t been here before. Most men feel stuck, lonely and lost in the Autumn and Winter seasons of life.  What does it look like to inhabit our age and time? Join David Tensen in discussions around aspects of eldering, including the concept of Decentric Eldering – a term that David created in his new book Decenter Everything. This workshop will be conversational, interactive, poetic, and will be sure to serve as a provocation to attendees.

Body Lines - Building bridges between our emotional and physical

Tim Rose

Many men experience a disconnect between their emotional and physical experiencing, whilst often lacking language with which to express what is going on ‘on the inside.’

Body Lines is an experiential and embodied workshop which invites participants to explore their emotional experiencing via partnered work in line and movement, within a  safe communal space.  Discovery occurs through experiencing, exploring sensation, and reflection. Content is designed to help and equip participants to better understand and respond to their feelings and emotions with increased presence and intent.

Sleeping at last: Rest for the soul and the body

Richard Fay

A lot of men struggle to switch off. Some even wear sleep deprivation as a badge of honour. However, sleep is not an indulgence, but a gift we are given and a biological necessity. We spend a third of our lives asleep, so being productive is not the whole game. Richard will explore barriers to healthy sleep patterns, what happens to us while we sleep, and how to develop good sleep hygiene. If all else fails, Richard said he might be so boring that you could catch up on some much needed shut eye. 

Lost and Found on the Spectrum

David Cluff

This interview-style session explores the personal and relational challenges that often arise in neurodiverse relationships—whether with partners, children, or family members. Through real-life insights and expert discussion, participants will gain a deeper understanding of topics like co-dependency, sense of self, rupture and repair, and the role of sensitivity and compassion in navigating these dynamics. The session includes time for audience Q&A.  This workshop is ideal for individuals in neurodiverse relationships, including partners, parents, and family members seeking to better understand and navigate the unique challenges that can arise. It will also benefit therapists, educators, and support workers who want to deepen their awareness of neurodiversity’s impact on relationships. Whether you have a personal connection or work with neurodiverse individuals, this session offers valuable insights for more compassionate interactions.

Sex and its reality in long term relationships

Neil Roberts

“Maintaining an intimate and fulfilling sexual connection is often problematic in long term committed relationships. The demands of modern life, the differing expectations of partners and the complex dynamic that grow over time all seek to potentially damage the connection and reduce the desire for sex at least for some. What cand be done?

This seminar is designed to bring some honesty and objectivity to the reality of sex in the “real world” dispelling common held myths and suggesting how our normal interaction can impact our sexual desire and experience. Growing into an adult and enjoying sex with a partner is actually harder than it seems or we have been told, understanding the why of this and having some options to confront this are our goal.

If you are in one, out of one or hoping to find one this information may help!”

The Enneagram of Transformation

Phil Cox

The Enneagram is more than just a personality tool—it’s a path of awakening; an ancient map of the soul. It sheds light on our greatest gifts and our darkest shadows. Most importantly, it offers us a KEY that can unlock the doors which have kept us trapped in patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting. This workshop, however, will go beyond descriptions of the Types to explore how real transformation happens as we embark on a journey of change. Together, we’ll engage this ancient map so it guides us back to where we’ve been all along: Home – to our truest and deepest self. Whether you are familiar with your type or are still exploring, this workshop will help you engage the Enneagram as a tool for deep, lasting transformation.

Stronger Relationships, Less Stress: A No-BS Workshop for Men

William and Esther Diplock

“Want a thriving relationship without the guesswork? This interactive, action-based workshop is for men who want practical tools to improve connection, communication, and intimacy—without endless talking or overcomplicated advice. In just 90 minutes, you’ll assess where your relationship stands, discover how to handle tough moments better, and learn quick, high impact moves that make a real difference. No pressure, no judgment—just straightforward insights and strategies you can use. Walk away with a game plan to strengthen your relationship (and make life easier).

Join us—you’ll be glad you did.”

Distorted Reality

Dom Fay

“Our current cultural moment is overwhelming. We seem to be caught in more crises than we can count: climate, cost of living, mental health, housing, loneliness, and political division – to name just a few. Despite all the good in our world, there is a growing sense felt across political, cultural and economic lines that our way of living in this world is off-track in some central and chaotic way.

What if these problems are all interconnected, linked to the way we attend to reality itself? And what if this is an issue that can only be solved at the root level, rather than up in the branches?

This elective will explore our current cultural moment, how we got here, and how we might be able to find a way forward.”

We Are One, but We Are Many… Parts

David Cluff

We all have different sides of ourselves—some we recognize, like our childhood memories, and others that form in response to stress or difficult experiences. These parts shape how we think, feel, and react in everyday life. This interactive workshop will introduce simple, practical ways to understand these inner dynamics. Through discussion and activities, participants will gain insights into their own patterns and learn how to navigate emotions and relationships with greater clarity.

Behind the veil, a journey into the heart of women

Janet Mumford

Women approach life differently to men and this can appear confusing to someone who lives life in a logical and linear manner. Let’s lift the veil, so prepare to be afraid…very afraid!

Crafting an Effective Blessing

David Tensen

Have you ever received an intentional and personal spoken blessing from another person? Do you want to be the sort of person capable of speaking a powerful blessing over others, including family and friends? In this workshop David Tensen will equip you with an easy-to-remember way to craft a life-changing blessing that you can speak over another. This practical workshop has brought healing to many and been taught to thousands of people in churches, schools, and homes. You’ll be given the chance to practice the approach, so be prepared to give and receive from one another.”

 

 

The Crown Jewels: A Man’s Guide to Keeping the Goods in Order

Jo Schoeman

Jo will engage in an informal and candid discussion on common urological  issues that many men struggle with but often find too  embarrassing to address. This will be a hands-on, open dialogue aimed at      breaking down stigma, fostering understanding, and equipping men with the knowledge to take charge of their health and well-being.

 

Traveling from Interstate?

A free private bus will collect any participants from Brisbane Airport on Friday 30th May and return on Sunday 1st June. Please indicate that you will require this service once you register.