QMCA Networking Breakfast 6 October 2026 – Mental health in construction: changing the conversation

QMCA Mental Health Breakfast

Mental health in construction: changing the conversation

Mental health is one of the most important challenges facing Australia’s construction industry. While our industry has made progress in recognising mental health, reducing stigma and creating more supportive workplaces, there is still more work to do.

Join the Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA) and Fulton Hogan for our Mental Health Breakfast, bringing together leaders and professionals from across Queensland’s construction and infrastructure industry for an important conversation about mental health, the progress we are making and what more we can do to support our people.

As event partner, Fulton Hogan is proud to support conversations that help build mentally healthy workplaces and encourage people across our industry to speak openly about mental health.

Date: Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Time: 7:00 am – 9:00 am
Venue: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (Rooms B1-3)

Starting conversations that matter

The breakfast will shine a light on the mental health challenges experienced across our industry and explore how construction workplaces are evolving to better recognise, respond to and support people experiencing mental health challenges.

We’ll look at the importance of creating workplaces where people feel comfortable speaking up, the support already available across our industry, and what individuals, colleagues and organisations can do to make a difference.

At the heart of the morning will be a remarkable story of resilience, isolation and the power of connection.

Keynote Speaker: Marcus Arnold | Fulton Hogan

Earlier this year, QMCA shared the story of Marcus Arnold, an environmental scientist with Fulton Hogan, as he prepared to undertake an extraordinary challenge in support of mental health in construction.

Marcus set out to complete a world-first solo winter circumnavigation of Milne Land off Greenland’s remote east coast, travelling approximately 400 kilometres across frozen ocean on cross-country skis, hauling a 90-kilogram sled and facing temperatures below minus 35 degrees.

The expedition was about far more than endurance.

Drawing on his own lived experience with mental health, Marcus undertook the challenge to raise awareness and funds for MATES in Construction and to encourage more people across our industry to talk openly about mental health.

At the QMCA Mental Health Breakfast, Marcus will share his story and reflect on the parallels between his journey on the ice and the mental health challenges many people experience: isolation, uncertainty, resilience and the importance of knowing that you are not alone. His story highlights the growing focus on mental health within the construction industry and the role lived experience can play in breaking down barriers and starting meaningful conversations.

Join the conversation

Mental health affects every part of our industry, from our project sites and offices to our families and communities.

Whether you are an industry leader, project professional, site worker, emerging professional or someone who simply wants to better understand how we can support the people around us, this breakfast is an opportunity to listen, learn and be part of an important industry conversation.

Join QMCA, Fulton Hogan and colleagues from across Queensland’s construction and infrastructure sector as we continue working towards an industry where looking after mental health is simply part of looking after our people.

Event Partner – Fulton Hogan

Fulton Hogan delivers high-quality infrastructure to improve the lives of people in Australia and New Zealand every day. For more than 90 years, the company has been creating, connecting and caring for communities through the delivery of transport, water, energy, resources and civil infrastructure. With more than 10,000 people across Australia and New Zealand, Fulton Hogan helps build, maintain and operate the essential infrastructure that keeps communities connected.