At 58, Pete knew looking after his health was important. Finding the time and space to actually do it was another matter. A former Defence Force member and now a train driver, Pete had spent years balancing shift work, sleep, family life and the responsibilities that come with raising children. Somewhere along the way, his own wellbeing had moved down the list.

“I think I’d lost my way a little bit in trying to focus on me and what’s important. I’d lost focus on the idea that a better me is a better everyone else around me.” Encouraged by his wife, Pete joined Sons of the West in 2026, initially expecting a fitness program. “When I turned up, I realised it was a lot more than that.”

For Pete, one of the most immediate impacts came through the program’s health education sessions. Learning about prostate cancer and stroke encouraged him to think differently about preventative healthcare and, importantly, to act. “The prostate cancer and stroke awareness sessions were probably the biggest realisation for me. Hearing the statistics around prostate cancer was scary.”

The very next day, Pete had an appointment with his doctor. He asked specifically about testing related to prostate cancer and has now incorporated this conversation into his annual health checks. But the impact did not stop with Pete. “I’ve also spoken to friends about it. I’ve told them, ‘When you get your bloods done, make sure this is included as well.’”

It is a powerful example of health promotion moving beyond awareness. Through Sons of the West, Pete gained the confidence to ask questions about his own health and start conversations with other men, extending the program’ reach into his wider socia network. 

Some of the program’s greatest impact, however, was less visible. Pete describes The Kind of Man I Want to Be as one of the sessions that resonated most deeply. It gave him an opportunity to reflect on his upbringing, his relationship with his father and the lessons he wants to carry forward as a parent himself. “The Kind of Man I Want to Be is taking what you’ve learned and trying to build on that. That session felt like I was on the right path.”

Rather than rejecting the past, Pete began considering what he had learned from it, what he valued and what he wanted to do differently. The experience reinforced the direction he already wanted to take, while giving him greater confidence to talk openly with other men and his children. “It’s emboldened me to have more courage to talk about these things with other guys and even with my children. It’s given me more courage.”

For Pete, conversations about health, relationships and the kind of person he wants to be became practical ways of creating change, both for himself and for the people around him.

Sons of the West also connected Pete more strongly with his local community. Through another participant, he discovered We Can’t Run, a local running group where everyone participates at their own pace before coming back together and connecting over coffee. “What stood out to me was that it wasn’t just focused on fitness. It was also about connecting with other people, having a conversation and being part of a community.” Even when Pete arrived one Sunday to discover the group’s location had changed, he still completed his run. The social connection had encouraged him to try something new, but the motivation to be active was becoming his own.

The program also helped Pete see the value of accessible local opportunities through the What’s in Your Backyard session, while giving him the opportunity to share his own experience of Parkrun with other participants. His experience also highlighted that motivation alone is not enough. Cost, shift work, family responsibilities and time can all make ongoing participation challenging.A ripple effect at home

Perhaps one of the strongest signs of Pete’s experience is what happened within his own family. “I felt the program was that good that I encouraged my wife to do Daughters of the West. We’ve made adjustments to my work arrangements to make sure she can attend because I want her to have a similar experience.”

Pete began Sons of the West after encouragement from his wife. His own positive experience then led him to actively support her to invest time in her wellbeing. It is a simple but powerful example of the ripple effect community health programs can create. When one person is supported to make positive changes, the benefits can extend into relationships, families, friendship groups and the wider community.

Asked to describe the biggest impact Sons of the West had on him, Pete came back to one word.“Positivity.”

“Positivity in wanting to be a better person. Positivity in wanting better for the people around me. Positivity in knowing that the right balance is there and I’ve just got to work harder at getting it. Positivity in knowing there is support.” Pete’s journey shows that the impact of Sons of the West is not measured by physical activity alone.

For him, it meant taking practical action on preventative health, discovering new ways to stay active, connecting with his community, reflecting on the kind of father and person he wants to be, and having greater courage to talk openly with family and

friends. Most importantly, it helped Pete rediscover that looking after himself isn’t separate from looking after the people he cares about. As Pete puts it: “A better me is a better everyone else.”

The Community Bank Seddon is a proud sponsor of the Sons of the West program. The next program is scheduled for April 2027. Dates to be announced. In the meantime, take a look at the Western Bulldogs Community Fund website to find out more here.