Gladstone region has been chosen as the pioneering community for a world-leading ManUp program, using web and phone-based interactions to encourage men aged from 35-54 to boost their physical activity and nutrition levels...

The aim is to make the port city renowned for men's health, just as Rockhampton gained a reputation as home of the 10,000 STEPS program.  LINK HERE for ABC Radio coverage

Marcus Ellison - the face of the program

CQUniversity has a Health Promotion Queensland large grant and is collaborating with Gladstone Regional Council and e-health departments at the University of Western Sydney and the CSIRO, as well as Total Wellbeing Guide author Manny Noakes.

One of the University's graduates, Marcus Ellison will be the face and driving force of the program in Gladstone, aiming to build the groundwork and momentum over coming months and years. You can contact the program via manup@cqu.edu.au .

Professor Kerry Mummery - who pioneered 10,000 STEPS - said this was one case where "technology apps could translate into firmer abs" but the program was focused on overall health and wellbeing.

"Being a working man's town, Gladstone is an ideal environment to nurture this program as we wanted to work with a specific, hard-to-reach population," he said.

The team behind the program will meet Deputy Mayor Gail Sellers and other stakeholders from 1pm next Thursday (March 4) at the Community Health Building near Gladstone Hospital.