1:10pm · Sleep
The Science of Sleep
Dr Jemma King on why “catching up on sleep” isn’t a strategy.
MATESHIPMATTERS!
The Seriously Funny Community Wellbeing Show
Humour. Hope. Social Connection.
A celebrity cardiologist, a snooze-savvy sleep scientist, a swamp-trekking Kokoda Kid and Australia’s most Seriously Funny speaker walk into a town hall… It sounds like the start of a joke. It is. It’s set to be the most beneficial, entertaining, insightful and electrifying half-day of wellbeing your community or organisation will experience all year!
Coming to Queensland & New Zealand in 2027
Register your interestWhy it matters now
Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual.
And most of us would have lost it by now! From stress and sleep to relationships and resilience, looking after ourselves is easier said than done, especially when life is flat out and support is miles away.
The Seriously Funny Community Wellbeing Show brings together brilliant speakers, practical medically credentialed wisdom and plenty of laughs to tackle life’s challenges without making wellbeing feel like hard work!
See how the afternoon worksA smarter, community-focused wellbeing partnership
One afternoon. One community. A whole lot of wellbeing.
Council acts as the community convenor, hosting a dedicated Friday afternoon session, ideally from 1 pm to 5 pm, for as many council employees as possible.
Better still, council can then extend the invitation to the wider community, including volunteers, veterans, First Nations communities, community groups and local residents, creating a genuinely inclusive, free community wellbeing event.
How the partnership works
- Council provides the venue and acts as the local host and community convenor.
- Council manages registrations, with free tickets allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Corporate sponsors provide the primary financial backing, covering much of the show’s delivery costs.
- Council makes a modest contribution, ideally from its existing employee wellbeing budget.
The afternoon at a glance
Four speakers. One stage. Plenty of laughs.
Friday, 1:00pm to 5:00pm, opening with a specially recorded celebrity introduction to each speaker.
1:55pm · Kokoda
Forged on Kokoda
Aidan Grimes, The Kokoda Kid, on leadership, resilience and performing under pressure.
3:05pm · Mindset
Performance, Mindset & Mental Resilience
Dr Tony Valenti, Sports Psychologist to the Stars (really Homer Papantonio, The Corporate Impostor).
3:50pm · Heart
The Heart of Total Wellbeing
Dr Ross Walker cuts through the myths of modern health.
4:35pm · All four
Live Q&A: Ask the Experts
Your questions, answered honestly and (mostly) seriously.
Meet the mates
Serious credentials. Seriously funny.
Dr Jemma King
Sleep expert
Has worked with Olympians and Special Forces, and wants you in bed earlier.
Aidan Grimes
The Kokoda Kid
Has led more people across the Kokoda Track than any other “nutter” alive.
Dr Tony Valenti
Sports Psychologist to the Stars
Really Homer Papantonio, The Corporate Impostor: 1,200+ conferences, and most of them fell for it.
Dr Ross Walker
Heart & total wellbeing expert
Forty-five years of medicine and Australia’s most affable heart doctor.
More Than a Show. A Movement.
The curtain comes down. The conversation shouldn’t. Every MATESHIP MATTERS! show is built to leave something behind: people who’ve laughed together, talked about the things they usually don’t, and know where to turn next.
Built for the whole community
- Council staff
- Volunteers
- Veterans
- First Nations communities
- Community groups
- Retirees
- Local residents
- Anyone who needs a laugh
MATES
We’re proud to have the support of MATES for the concept, and to share their focus on mental health awareness in our communities.
Get involved
Three ways to bring the show to town.
Councils
Host a show
You convene, we bring the show: one Friday afternoon of wellbeing for your staff, then open to the wider community.
How hosting worksOrganisations
Fund a show
Corporate sponsors underwrite the show so it’s free for the community. You can also book it privately for your own team.
Partner with usEveryone else
Be in the audience
Shows are free, with registration through your local council. Tell us where you are and we’ll let you know when we’re coming.
Register interestKind words
Audiences tend to remember it.
You are the complete package… your unique presentations provide a blend of entertaining comedy which camouflages insightful and pertinent messages.
Dr Ross spoke twice during the conference and suddenly the whole place came alive! I cannot believe that someone with Ross’ showbusiness talent is spending his time as a cardiologist.
The response was overwhelming and the standing ovation Homer received was testament to the outstanding performance. He mixed humour with insight.
An outstanding presenter in every which way. Dr Walker is articulate, intelligent and humorous.
Absolutely fantastic… delegates were completely immersed in his character portrayal. Some were still confused even after the reveal.
Ross is an energetic speaker who delivers a strong message in a humorous way. He has always rated the best speaker of the day.
The podcast
Get a taste before the tour.
All four speakers, a microphone each, and no script. Our new episode is the closest thing to a front-row seat until the show reaches your town.
Let’s get your town laughing.
Tell us a little about your community or organisation and Homer will be in touch.