Wayne Schwass is one of the most highly rated performers in the AFL history, playing 282 AFL games over 14 years with the North Melbourne Football Club (1988-1997) and the Sydney Swans (1998-2002). Wayne retired from AFL Football in 2002. He has since forged a name for himself as a highly respected AFL broadcaster on TV, radio and online, hosting such shows as Off The Bench TV and Footy Feast.

Having battled silently with his own mental health for much of his sporting career, Wayne is now a dedicated mental health advocate, committed to raising awareness about mental health, emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. He founded social enterprise Puka Up - in the Hindi language, Pukka means ‘authentic and genuine’.

Wayne will share the candid, honest and inspiring story about his 14-year struggle with depression and his road to recovery, including the tools he used and advice on what we can do individually and as a community to help those living with mental illnesses.

“How to be more mentally resilient”