General News
4 September, 2025
Walk and free film screening in support of new dads
With Father’s Day on Sunday, dads of all ages are encouraged to take part in the Man With a Pram walk on Saturday morning, or attend a free screening of “Seen: The Film” that night.
With Father’s Day on Sunday, dads of all ages are encouraged to take part in the Man With a Pram walk on Saturday morning, or attend a free screening of Seen: The Film that night.
Both events are organised by Dads Group Inc., which promotes positive parenting for men and provides new dads with support and connection.
The Man With a Pram walk is being held in collaboration with Park Run Mount Isa and will begin at 7am on Saturday, September 6, on Tharrapatha Way (access off Urquhart Street). It will be followed by a barbecue breakfast.
Dads Group Inc. Program Lead Adam Burns said Man With a Pram has become a global movement and aims to support new fathers.
“The reason we're walking is to raise awareness of the mental health impacts that a new baby can create in a family – the change of family dynamic, and how that can sometimes create a lot of new stress and trauma,” Mr Burns said.
“One in 10 dads will experience anxiety, depression, or stress, from when they conceive to when the baby turns three years old. It’s an incredibly difficult transition.
“Part of what makes that transition hard for men is, obviously, pregnancies are contained with the mum. For dad, you don't have the experience of the baby until they’re born.
“So for a lot of dads, that’s where the stress comes in. And then, of course, you add in sleep deprivation and juggling work and family life, and you can understand how a lot of that stress comes up.
“We’re walking to raise awareness of that normal struggle that happens in a lot of families.
“It’s something where we can help and support them – and new families – as a community.”
At 6pm at Cinema Mount Isa, there’ll be a free screening of documentary Seen: The Film, supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Ningana Trust, and North West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services.
Mr Burns said the documentary looks at how parenting styles can be passed on from one generation to another.
“So how you yourself were parented, that experience of your own parents, how all of that can subconsciously come out when you become a parent,” he said.
“It's really a movie about parenting ourselves – looking at how we were parented, and what might have been lacking, or might sit uncomfortably with us, and how we approach that so we can turn up as the best version of ourselves for our kids.”
The film was made following interviews with four parents, with parenting experts also sharing their perspectives on how issues can be approached in a healthier manner.
Following the screening there’ll be a live 45-minute Q&A panel with Mount Isa residents Mick Scotney and Chris Pocock, who will discuss their own personal experiences with fatherhood.
Book your free tickets here. Find out more about the Man With a Pram event here.