Gus Worland joins Lord Ian Botham OBE for 2025 Healthier Illawarra Men International Men’s Day Lunch
Healthier Illawarra Men (HIM) is thrilled to announce that high-profile media personality and men’s health ambassador Gus Worland will join cricket legend Lord Ian Botham OBE at the 2025 International Men’s Day Lunch, to be held on Friday 14 November at UOW UniHall, Wollongong.
Worland, founder of Gotcha4Life and a passionate advocate for mental fitness, has a special connection with HIM. He and Karl Stefanovic were central to HIM’s first event in 2022 — the Gotcha4Life Mateship Miles Brunch — which raised more than $34,000 to fund local mental fitness programs in the Illawarra. Gus also spoke and attended the 2023 HIM IMD Lunch with Alex Volkanovski.
Mark Sleigh, HIM Chair, said: “It’s fantastic to have Gus back with us in 2025. Gus was there at the very start when we relaunched Healthier Illawarra Men, and having him return to join Lord Ian Botham on stage is a real full-circle moment. Gus will be part of a powerful panel conversation alongside other major names we’ll be announcing soon. Tickets are already moving quickly and this event will sell out.”
Gus Worland said: “I’m so proud to be coming back to the Illawarra for this event. My connection with HIM goes back to that first Mateship Miles Brunch in 2022, and to see how much the movement has grown since then is inspiring. The Illawarra is showing what can happen when men come together, get vulnerable, and support each other.”
This year’s lunch, proudly supported by major partner the St George Illawarra Dragons, will also feature one of the most recognisable figures in world sport, Lord Ian Botham OBE, affectionately known as “Beefy.” Widely regarded as England’s greatest all-round cricketer, Botham played 102 Tests, scoring more than 5,000 runs and taking 383 wickets. Famous for his match-winning feats in the 1981 Ashes, Botham remains one of the most charismatic and competitive figures the game has ever seen. Away from the pitch, he has raised over £20 million through his renowned charity walks and continues to inspire through his philanthropy, business and media work in both the UK and Australia.
The event will be guided by Bruce Roberts, WIN News journalist and anchor, who will serve as MC. Roberts has presented more than 18,000 news bulletins across the Illawarra, Canberra, Victoria and Tasmania and is a highly regarded event host, known for his professionalism, passion and openness about men’s health.
The HIM International Men’s Day Lunch has quickly become one of the Illawarra’s premier events, raising significant funds for local programs addressing men’s health, wellbeing, and domestic violence prevention.
Tickets are limited and selling fast. Secure your place now: HIM IMD Lunch 2025
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for businesses wanting to align with this vital cause: Sponsorship Prospectus
HIM is also preparing to open applications for its next grant funding round, supporting Illawarra charities and community gro.ups delivering frontline men’s health initiatives. See Grant Applications.
Event Details:
Friday 14 November 2025
UOW UniHall, Wollongong
Guests: Lord Ian Botham OBE, Gus Worland + more to be announced
MC: Bruce Roberts
