By Mens+ GSEA Oscar 'Saf' Saffin
G’day! I’m Oscar Saffin (Saf), and I’ve had the pleasure of working as the Men’s+ GSEA for 2025.
It’s been a busy but immensely rewarding start to the year. Being able to work in the space of Men’s Health and Wellbeing has been particularly special in my time at Burg this year, and I try my best to not let an event go by where I’m not grateful for the opportunities the role provides.
Our ‘Night’s In’ event was our staple event of Term 1. Beyond our discussions as an interconnected group, the time spent over six nights working with the Men’s+ community at Burg and produced some heartwarming moments, some challenging conversations, and everything in between. Each floor took the opportunity to discuss a range of men-related topics, including sexual health, consent, and my personal favourite, men’s mental health and masculinity.
A highlight of the night was our discussion on male mentors and positive male attributes, where we took the opportunity to sit down, close our eyes, and contemplate:
‘Who is a male figure in your life who you admire, and what is it about them that you admire?’
Some truly beautiful answers were shared, from fathers and brothers to grandfathers and teachers. Heck, even soon-to-be NBA Hall of Famer Steph Curry got a mention. (To be fair, he did drop 52 points that day.)
I ran that activity across six different nights, and not once did I tire of it. The sense of camaraderie and mateship we felt as we left the room each night was palpable. A true highlight of the year for me!
Within the Men’s Portfolio this term, I ran Mullets for Mental Health, where Burg residents came down and cut either a mullet or an eyebrow slit (or both!) for charity, with all proceedings going towards the Black Dog Institute, the only medical research institute in Australia that investigates mental health across the lifespan, from childhood to adulthood.
With the barbecue roaring and a copious amount of hair on the floor, Burg successfully raised over $2,300. I initially set our goal at $3,500 as a ‘shoot for the moon and land among the stars’-type figure, but we have come significantly closer than I expected.
The fundraising stands as a testament to the goodwill and genuine compassion within the Burg Community. A just cause and an eventful day. Thankfully, everyone walked away looking not too shabby.
The donation page is still open, if you would like to contribute! Click here to make a donation via Burgmann's fundraiser page on the Black Dog Institute's website.
Looking forward to what the rest of the year has to offer in the GSEA portfolios. Sex Week and my planned Men’s Mental Health Charity Golf Day will hopefully be staples on the Burg Calendar for years to come!
