How did the Journeymen start, you may ask? It all began in February 2022. At that time, I realized I was relying too much on my relationship and lacked a healthy outlet. My friends were either busy with their families or just into partying. I didn’t fit into either category. It’s unfortunate that as men, we often feel pressured to be fully committed to one thing, but I soon learned that balance is essential.
So, I posted on The Sunshine Coast spiritual page, and that’s when my purpose was born. Ten men showed up to our first meetup. None of us had met before. By the second week, 16 men joined us, and well… the rest is history.
Once I found my purpose, I needed a name. That’s when “Journeymen” came to me. Because everyone has a story, and everyone is on their own journey. From there, we evolved from just BBQs to becoming a fully registered charity.
But my story began long before our first BBQ. Three years earlier, I was self-medicating with alcohol while working as a FIFO drilling assistant. I would return home to drink and party aimlessly, earning more money than I could ever dream of,
yet feeling far from happy. Looking back, I now understand the harm of social isolation and the battles with my own mental health. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
Reflecting on my life, I see how everything led me to this journey and purpose. Growing up in Thailand, I experienced firsthand the strength of community. Monks would gather food from the community in the morning, and by day’s end, any excess would be used to support others. This taught me that as collective we have abandon but as an individual, we have nothing.
So why “Journeymen”? The pivotal moment for me came about six months into our journey. One of our members needed help moving house, and 15 men volunteered without hesitation. Since then, countless stories have emerged of men supporting
each other every single week.
At Journeymen, we’re here to celebrate each other’s victories and lift each other up during tough times. We believe that together, we can build a stronger community. If you appreciate what we’re doing and want to get involved, we’d love your support in revitalizing our sense of community.