About Powerhouse Programs
Foundation
Powerhouse Programs is the creation of Stephen Halsall and Andy Roy. Both Stephen and Andy have been heavily involved in working with men and boys through well-respected national community development organisations. Their lives and relationships have become richer for these endeavours and they take great joy in sharing this with others. In doing this work in the community it became very clear to them that there was significantly more they could to do to bring this powerful work into the lives of a larger proportion of our society.
Stephen and Andy met in 2003 at their first 'mens work' event in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Since then, they've become close friends and colleagues, working together on programs like Common Ground (a 9-week life skills course for men) and organising week-long contemporary Rites-of-Passage for men and boys. They've also served on various organising and executive committees for Men's Gatherings. In 2009, they jointly developed a Men's Rite of Passage program, which they generously gifted to the Mens Wellbeing Association.
Mens Wellbeing is a not-for-profit community organisation which offers programs such as Common Ground, men's gatherings and resources in order to develop the wellbeing of men to foster healthy relationships, families and communities. We are proud to be partners in actively supporting each others' activities.
Andy Roy
Andy is father to 2 daughters and 4 sons. He is happily nestled in the crucible of mid-life. Andy is a senior Common Ground Facilitator and trainer with the Men’s Wellbeing Association. He has also supported over 30 Rite of Passage camps throughout Australia as a Program Manager and Lead Facilitator.
Amongst many exploits, in 1999 Andy and his partner at the time designed and implemented a 6,000 tree sustainable forestry plantation in the Noosa Hinterland, which has been a great success with the trees now with much girth and towering overhead. His latest efforts are in developing the Oxley Nursery into a thriving business.
Stephen Halsall
Stephen, married to Ina, welcomed their first child, Dominic, in early 2012. After a successful 10-year finance career, he completed his Psychology Honours degree at the University of Queensland in 2014, earning a Deans Commendation. As a Common Ground Facilitator and Trainer for the Men's Wellbeing Association, he has impacted teenage boys through over 20 Rites of Passage camps. Stephen previously mentored an Indigenous boy for 5 years, considering it one of his greatest achievements. He currently organizes Dads Breakfasts, Building Bridges programs, and mentors young men and professional fathers in Brisbane.
The Powerhouse Team
Our team is dynamic and expanding. We have a number of men and women that have knowledge and experience in diverse professional backgrounds and expertise in rites of passage programs and facilitation. Additionally, we invite young men as alumni from our programs to contribute and serve as positive role models for our teenage boys. Some team members have even completed their own teenage rite of passage and now facilitate our programs.
Returning young men and fathers have the opportunity to return onto the program and develop their personal awareness, emotional intelligence and develop greater understanding of the father-son dynamic. The benefits of working as a part of a team in this process are felt not only by the individual, but by their family and professional colleagues.
