In Perth, weekly 6am sessions bring a dozen to twenty men together for a ritual that blends light exercise, informal talking circles, a quick ocean dip, and coffee funded by the charity, all focused on fighting loneliness and boosting mental wellbeing.

Adam Brennan, who helped establish the Cottesloe chapter, joined the effort after his own battles with anxiety and depression, stressing that the group is a supportive space for openly discussing therapy, counselling, and GP visits rather than formal therapy.

WNOW’s approach centers on inclusivity, inviting participation from men of all ages, health levels, and backgrounds, with plans to expand its reach across Perth and beyond.

The sessions include a talking stick ritual and a commitment to openness, marked by 61 push-ups to honor the global community and to remember a member who died by suicide, plus one extra push-up for resilience.

The program responds to widening concerns about declining male friendships and rising loneliness, noting that men are more likely to delay seeking help; in winter, about 14 regulars attend, rising to 20 in summer, and the network now includes teen sons and a large WhatsApp group of 70–80 participants.

WNOW—When No One’s Watching—launched in 2020 after co-founders Tadhg Kennelly and Dave Eccles connected following Kennelly’s AFL coaching dismissal—and has since established a Perth chapter at Cottesloe Beach and a second at Rockingham foreshore, joining 62 chapters across seven countries.