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BY DYLAN DE JONG 

A Ballarat man who launched his own mental-health project and apparel business is hoping to expand his work into the Wimmera. 

Gym owner, mental-health advocate and podcaster Sean Weir launched The Shaka Project in 2019. 

The project started as an apparel company with an aim to break down stigmas and stimulate mental-health conversations. It has since expanded into a much bigger project.  

Mr Weir said his long-term vision was to reach out to more regional communities, such as the Wimmera, to spread his message through his branding and educational events at schools and sporting clubs. 

“We are keen to travel and get our content to as many people as we possibly can,” he said. 

“We were planning a regional Victorian tour, but COVID-19 lockdowns have put that on hold. 

“When we do, we will come to the Wimmera.”  

Mr Weir said his merchandise, printed with the friendly shaka hand gesture, was designed to be a conversation starter. 

“We use our apparel and other merchandise as a bit of a permission slip,” he said.

“If you see someone down the street wearing the t-shirt, automatically you know they have empathy for mental health.

“This aims to combat stigma around men talking up and breaks the ice straight away with that conversation starter.”

Plans to expand his project into the Wimmera are already underway.

Mr Weir has started mental-health presentations with Mininera and District Football League. 

He plays with league side Lismore-Derrinallum.

Mr Weir said working with the football clubs was key to his focus on men’s mental health, breaking down stereotypes about masculinity. 

“There’s a big stigma that if you’re a bloke you’ve got to be tough,” he said. 

“When people are telling others to harden up, that discourages them from speaking out. 

“If we can get a big bunch of guys together and break down that stigma, that could change a life and encourage others to speak up as well.” 

The project founder’s motivation to help others developed from his own struggles with mental health. 

Mr Weir said he realised for the project to work, he needed to be open and honest about sharing his own mental-health journey.

“I had personal history with mental health and suicide attempts, and I went through my teenage years with a drug and alcohol addiction as well,” he said. “All of that affected my mental health and I experienced depression and anxiety.

“That was a big part of my life for a long time.” 

Mr Weir said he hoped sparking conversations in Australian communities would create positive change in the way people viewed talking about their mental health. 

“I wanted to create something that would leave more of a legacy and a lasting impact,” he said. 

“You can raise heaps of money for Beyond Blue and other organisations, but unfortunately we don’t personally see where that money goes. 

“Obviously it goes to the right places, but we wanted to see what we could do with a more personal approach.

“This year has been really tough with events, but we’re always trying to plan to get to as many regional centres when we can.”