Man Anchor founder Steven Gamble started work as an apprentice printer at the tender age of 16 and now, after 16 years with Böttcher Systems he has decided to turn what started as a personal project to help people understand mental illness into his main gig.

Gamble says the decision to leave Böttcher was not an easy one, as the company is more like a family than a workplace with his former boss, Mitch Mulligan, like a big brother to him.

But after spending four years building up Man Anchor – which delivers mental health educational programs to companies, sporting clubs and industry and community groups – Gamble has decided to make it his focus.

“When I started Man Anchor in May 2017, I really wanted to empower men to have conversations so they could look after not only themselves, but also the people around them and it has slowly been growing over the years,” Gamble told Sprinter.

“Printing is in my blood so I think my new role will be the ‘unofficial’ mental health ambassador for the printing industry.

“I will continue to work with organisations and governing bodies including Visual Connections and The Real Media Collective to continue to help people better understand mental illness.”

Man Anchor has also received funding support from Gus Worland’s Gotcha4Life Foundation and the Head Above Water mental fitness campaign launched by Andrew Ward, a channel manager with Konica Minolta.

“I have been fortunate enough to receive funding from Gotcha4Life and Gus Worland as well as Andrew Ward and Head Above Water. They want me to run some programs here in the community which is fantastic,” he said.

“To be fair I’ve probably been doing two full time jobs over the last couple of years where I’ve had contractors or staff of mine running Man Anchor programs for me while I’ve been doing Böttcher work, and it was becoming too much.

“When the offer of the funding came up it was an exciting opportunity and I thought it is probably best for my wellbeing to concentrate on one instead of both because it was a lot of work. I was working really long days and, in the evenings, to get it all done.”

Programs to suit every organisation

Gamble runs a series of set programs but is also open to tailoring bespoke programs to suit organisations.

“I am working with different organisations in the printing industry still through The Real Media Collective and Visual Connections as well as with printing companies IVE Group, QLM, Ball & Doggett,” he said, adding he has also run programs at IVE Group, Konica Minolta, Currie Group and QLM Label Makers.

Gamble also urged anyone in the printing industry who is part of a community or sporting organisation which may be looking for support to get in touch.

“That is what we are here for. We are here to build community and grow our understanding of mental health and wellbeing in all settings, not just the corporate world,” he said.

“It also doesn’t matter where these organisations are in the country.”

To get in touch with Steven please email steven@mananchor.com.au or visit www.mananchor.com.au

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