History

FTM Australia began as a website in June 2001; a joint project between Jack Powell and Craig, both from NSW Australia.

After a very rewarding number of years working at the Gender Centre in Sydney NSW, Jack and Craig sought to continue the provision of quality information, support and contact for men who medically transitioned female-to-male in Australia.

On Sunday, 14th of October 2001, twelve people interested in the formation and planning of a group to serve the interests of the female-to-male community, met in Sydney NSW. The meeting group decided to form a network and use the name FTM Australia. From this time until the end of 2005, the network was supported by the Men’s Health and Information Resource Centre (MHIRC), based at the University of Western Sydney.

The outcome of this meeting was the formation of a ten member steering committee and a press release about the new network. This press release was faxed and emailed to a variety of organisations, transgender and transsexual groups and several community-based publications.

For the remainder of 2001 and throughout 2002, the FTMA Board – a steering group of transmen, ftms, men of transsexual background and intersex men from around Australia, continued to meet and identify significant issues and needs this community has.

In August 2003, with the registered name of FTM Australia, the network was legally incorporated as a non-profit association providing information, contact and support to men who experience transsexualism (sometimes called female-to-male transsexuals), transgender men (FTMs), their partners and families in Australia under the Association Incorporation Act 1984, in NSW, Australia.

By June 2005 however, the association reverted back to the informal community network structure. Craig continues in the role of Coordinator, supporting the network along with a broad range of community members who provide contact and information across the network.

As of 2011, FTM Australia continues to receive ongoing input from a range of stakeholders - new members, men who have transitioned as well as medical and legal professionals across Australia and internationally.