The SmackTalk team

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About SmackTalk

Around three months after his son Mac took his own life, Wayne Holdsworth decided he had a responsibility to ensure other families didn't go through the same pain. This led to the creation of a registered charity, SmackTalk.

A message from Wayne

“Had I known what I know now, I’m convinced Mac would be here with me now.”

Wayne Holdsworth Read Wayne’s story →

“Sometimes you can’t see an illness, but you can still help people. You can ask how they’re feeling and, if they’re struggling, learn the right questions to ask that can save lives.”

“I formed SmackTalk at the start of January 2024 with the purpose of educating as many people as possible, from age 16 through to retired people.”

“I want people to have the skill set to identify those who are struggling, to ask the right questions of friends and family, and to know what steps to take if someone is in trouble or having suicidal thoughts. This all leads to saving lives.”

“That is the purpose of SmackTalk and Mac’s legacy. It is to ensure no one has to go through what I’ve gone through, and to educate people around suicide prevention.”

“We need to return this to the community because there simply isn’t enough funding at federal and state levels to support the rising demand in mental health.”

“I strongly believe it shouldn’t be referred to as mental health because there’s a significant stigma attached. It should be mental fitness so it’s normalised rather than seen as strange or different, like a broken leg or an illness you can’t always see like cancer.”

“I think it’s important to note that starting SmackTalk wasn’t done on a whim. While it was formed only three months after Mac passed away, and many would say too soon, it was done with the support of weekly grief counselling.”

“I’ve had counselling most weeks from Support after Suicide, which gave me the strength to get through the funeral and then Christmas. I then decided I wanted to leave Mac a legacy because at 17, he hadn’t really left one.”

“I also wanted to use his death as a catalyst to do more around suicide prevention and help people recognise the signs that kids and others show before it’s too late.”

Meet our leadership team

Founder and Public Speaker

Wayne Holdsworth

Wayne Holdsworth
Image credit: News Corp Australia / David Caird

Wayne Holdsworth is founder of SmackTalk, a charity established after the 2023 death of his 17-year-old son, Mac, following his sexual extortion online. Wayne has since become a leading advocate for suicide prevention and mitigating online harms.

Alongside his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Frankston and District Basketball Association, Wayne has addressed more than 30,000 students, parents and professionals across Australia. He actively engaged with our nation’s leaders on social media minimum age legislation and his work is evidence-based.

Wayne’s tireless devotion has directly supported multiple interventions that have saved lives and prompted countless conversations about mental fitness and our capacity to listen.

More about Wayne

CEO

Dr Kim Burley

Dr Kim Burley

Dr Kim Burley is an executive communicator, educator, and strategic leader with extensive experience in stakeholder engagement. Recognised for her ability to connect people, inspire action, and communicate with clarity, she is a sought-after speaker across education, government, and community sectors.

Kim is also a tenured lecturer and researcher in Media and Communication at Adelaide University. Her career has included leading multiple online degree programs and managing large Federal Government teams.

Holding a PhD in Communication Management and Work-Integrated Learning, Kim has also served on the South Australian boards of ACEN (now WIL Australia), Edmund Rice Camps SA, the Rotary Club of Adelaide, and PRIA (now Communication and Public Relations Australia).

Beyond her professional roles, Kim is deeply committed to community service and social impact and a proud mother of two teenagers.

Contact Kim
FAQs

Common questions

SmackTalk is a registered Australian charity founded by Wayne Holdsworth after his 17-year-old son Mac took his own life following a sexual extortion incident. We teach communities the skills to listen, talk and act on suicide prevention and online harms.

Select "Book a presentation" on our contact page. Our free 40-minute presentation has already reached over 30,000 people across schools, clubs and workplaces.

Yes, all donations above $2 are tax deductible. Donations are processed securely through mycause, our online donation platform.

Unplug24 is our flagship annual campaign. Register yourself, your business, or your school to stay off social media for 24 hours and help fund our education programs.

Select "Media enquiry" on our contact page and our team will get back to you.

Start saving lives

At SmackTalk, we believe every conversation can save a life. We invite you to be a part of our mission by donating, volunteering, or attending our events. Your support helps us educate communities and provide essential resources to prevent suicide. Together, we can create a world where no one feels alone.

Get involved now