Community
2 April, 2025
Gumboots meant for walking
MORGAN Terangi is on a mission raising awareness about men’s mental health by walking from Smithfield to Brisbane in gumboots.
Specialty Meats Smithfield has launched Mentalk, a movement dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental health, particularly in male-dominated industries like butchery, farming and trucking.
The initiative is spearheaded by Mr Terangi, who is a passionate advocate for mental health, aiming to break the stigma surrounding men’s struggles by fostering open conversations and creating safe spaces for support.
His motivation for starting Mentalk is deeply personal. Having witnessed family members and close loved ones struggle with mental health challenges, he realised the urgent need for change.
In New Zealand, where he grew up, suicide rates are alarmingly high, especially among men. In Australia, he has found this to be the same.
He said the cultural expectation for men to “tough it out” and avoid showing vulnerability has contributed to a silent crisis.
“A family member of mine went into a dark place and I knew I had to do something. Mental health, especially in male-dominated industries, often goes largely unrecognised,” Mr Terangi said.
Mr Terangi is walking from Cairns to Brisbane, visiting small businesses along the way, particularly butcher shops and farms.
He said his goal was to spark conversations, raise awareness and encourage men to talk about their struggles.
“I thought, why not walk 2000 km in gumboots? It’s eye-catching and it symbolises the working-class men I want to reach.”
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Butcher shops across Australia have placed gumboots on their counters as a symbol of support for the movement. Customers and business owners alike are engaging in conversations about mental health, something that rarely happens in these spaces.
Shawn Pynaker, the owner of Smithfield Specialty Meats, said when Mr Terangi approached him with the Mentalk concept, “we knew immediately that this was something our community needed”.
Smithfield Shopping Centre marketing manager Jodie Scurrah said there had been “an incredible response from both shoppers and retailers”.
“The gumboots have become a conversation starter and people are opening up about their experiences,” she said.
Follow Mr Terangi’s journey on social media @Meat.Morgz
