My name is Andrew Gray, and for more than 30 years, I’ve dedicated my life to supporting young people and building stronger communities. Born in the UK, my journey began in 1992 when I started working as a Social Worker, focusing on children at risk and supporting families through a trauma-informed lens. Those early years taught me the importance of empathy, resilience, and creating safe spaces for growth.

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In 1999, I travelled to Chiang Mai, Thailand, to study traditional Thai massage—an experience that changed my life. Part of the training included yoga, and from that moment, I was hooked. Yoga became more than a practice; it became a way of life. Today, I continue to practice and share its benefits, believing that self-care is essential for well-being. Recently, I trained with Yogazeit to teach yoga to children and adolescents, combining mindfulness and movement to support mental health in schools.

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In late 2003, I made the bold decision to emigrate to Australia, where I worked with the City of Gosnells as a Community Development Officer and Youth Development Officer. These roles allowed me to create programs that connected people and gave young people opportunities to thrive. Since 2007, I’ve been proud to work at Canning Vale College, where I continue to support students and families every day.

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My passion for wellbeing also extends to men’s health. After my own experience with prostate cancer, I founded the Prostate Support Group for Working Men W.A. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer 14 months ago, my life changed. After a period of watch and wait, I underwent robotic prostatectomy surgery in August of 2024. Supported by my wife, a nurse, and able to take time off from work, I initially assumed I was managing my recovery well. But returning to work proved confronting. Incontinence hit me hard. It was a smack in the face. I thought I’d nailed recovery at home, then suddenly I was back on my feet all day, reacting to whatever the school needed. By the time I got home, I was exhausted. Heat, fatigue and the physical demands of teaching compounded my symptoms. Despite being a yoga teacher and advocate for men’s health, recovery took longer than expected. I realised many men don’t have a strong support network; mates who gather weekly at my place for table tennis, the colleagues who listen, the yoga group that doubles as an emotional refuge.“There are blokes going through this alone,” I thought. I decided to build something for them.

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At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: community and connection can transform lives. Whether it’s through youth work, yoga, or advocacy, I strive to create spaces where people feel supported, empowered, and understood. This group focuses on exercise, yoga, and peer support, helping men navigate recovery and live healthier lives.​