About Wayne Holdsworth
Wayne Holdsworth is turning the devastating suicide of his son Mac, 17, into an amazing legacy to help save lives.
Wayne started the charity SmackTalk and generously shares his story, inspiring thousands of Victorians each month. He is also a media spokesperson on sextortion, social media access and suicide prevention.
Wayne is also the CEO of Frankston and District Basketball Association.
Wayne’s why
Wayne’s life was turned on its head in 2023 when his beloved son Mac, 17, took his own life after being sexually extorted by a middle-aged man pretending to be a teenage girl.
The devastating tragedy has led to Wayne founding SmackTalk, a charity to help prevent suicide and sexual extortion, to leave a legacy in Mac’s name.
Wayne quickly became a media ‘go-to’ on the topics of sexual exploitation, social media access and suicide prevention. It’s not unusual for multiple interviews every week across all areas of the media.
His story has been shared around the world. Comments on social media are numerous – many identifying and sharing the horrors their own families have been through.
Wayne is determined to stop other families and communities from going through the trauma and devastation that his has.
Alongside his work to save lives, Wayne is devoted to his other children, including his daughter Daisy, his wife Maggie, grandchildren and the family’s adored dog, Shandy.
Some of Wayne’s impact
In 2024, Wayne was a Finalist for the Australian of the Year – Victoria. Wayne was nominated for his bravery and inspiring actions in the face of the tragedy of losing his beloved son Mac, 17, who took his own life in 2023 after being sexually extorted. He was also named Frankston’s 2025 Citizen of the Year.
Wayne’s lived experience and determination are helping to push for legislative changes to raise the age of social media access for children to 16, to work towards preventing sexual exploitation situations with devastating consequences and helping save lives in the face of a national suicide crisis.
Meeting with officials at the Parliament of Victoria
Meeting with the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan
In Canberra meeting with the Treasurer of Australia, Jim Chalmers
One of more than 100 SmackTalk presentations in 2024
SmackTalk presentation at St Bedes
Presenting to the team at Nova
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Being awarded NBL One Club Executive of the Year 2023
Catching up with Sarah Harris while appearing on The Project
What people say about Wayne
Wayne was fantastic and gave a presentation that resonated so powerfully throughout our group, not a dry eye in the room.”
Casey Women’s Football Club
Wayne’s story (is) so incredibly inspiring.”
SmackTalk presentation attendee
…this was the most impactful presentation I have ever seen. It’s raw, it’s honest, it’s factual and it provides kids and adults with real answers to deal with their own depression or suicidal thoughts and importantly, HOW to ask your mates how they are really going.
I HIGHLY recommend you all get on board and have Wayne come out and present this.”
Grant Harrison
CEO Knox Basketball
Brave, confronting and very important.”
SmackTalk presentation attendee
Wayne from SmackTalk was outstanding, compelling and we learned so much and now feel empowered to save lives.”
Mornington and Casey Basketball Clubs
Difficult subject matter but I applaud Wayne in sharing his story and bringing these issues to our attention.”
SmackTalk presentation attendee
Wayne’s presentation Smacktalk was as powerful as I have ever attended I now feel ready to help others, you are a legend Wayne and inspiration.”
Rockets Basketball Club
Wayne’s courage to bring to light and try and help stop this from happening to other families is amazing. Thank you Wayne for your bravery.”
SmackTalk presentation attendee
Thank you for coming out and providing such information that we now know will save lives. Outstanding individual.”
Cramli
The honesty and vulnerability from Wayne was amazing.”
SmackTalk presentation attendee
As a 21-year-old, I learnt a lot from this event and will forever remember what to look out for, who to call, and what to do. Wayne’s speech really impacted all of the club players and parents who were there tonight. We are beyond grateful for Wayne’s time, energy, kindness and knowledge. You (Wayne) are doing an amazing job at spreading awareness and normalising these conversations. I know for a fact that Wayne helped so many people in the crowd tonight and has without a doubt saved a life.
FTE Eagles Football Club event attendee
OMG such bravery from Wayne to be able to deliver that session. Such an emotional topic which I have been personally impacted by, but as emotional as the session was, I took so much out of it.”
SmackTalk presentation attendee
You’re an absolute inspiration and I will be forever grateful that you have allowed my family and wider community the chance to hear your tragic story, and given each and every one the opportunity to save lives.”
Secretary of the Bass FNC
As a parent myself I appreciate Wayne sharing his story to prevent others having to go through what he has. Thank you!”
SmackTalk presentation attendee
I have been receiving thoughtful feedback from those who attended last night, all of whom were genuinely moved by your presentation.
Many have told me that it started a conversation at home with their kids and family regarding the downfalls of social media and being able to talk to each other.
Genine Arvanitakis
Secretary of the Bentleigh JFC
Wayne was an incredible advocate, and I cannot find words in any language on this earth to commend him for his courage and strength. He spoke about an issue so incredibly important to all of us.”
SmackTalk presentation attendee
What continues to drive Wayne
Suicide takes three times more lives than the road toll in Australia each year. More than 3200 Australians took their own lives in 2023 – that’s more than 60 a week, an average of eight lives lost every day.
In this day and age, social media dominates lives – and not always for the better.
Sexual extortion has grown at a rate of more than 400 per cent in Australia alone in the past 18 months. The majority of those targeted are young people and older people. International networks are set up to fleece money from vulnerable people, preying on people’s desire for a meaningful connection.
In addition, there is online bullying and trolling that can lead to devastating consequences.
These are everyday issues facing an increasing number of Australians – and global citizens – daily.
Wayne’s extensive work, and the voice he is getting in regular ongoing media as well as presentations to schools, sporting groups, associations and corporate Australia, is helping to bring these issues to the fore.
Some of the places Wayne’s story has been shared
