Dads are good – and it’s good to be a dad.
That’s the message Nelson’s Philip Chapman is trying to get across, especially for Father’s Day.
And what better way, he thought, than have T-shirts praising dads?
So with the help of Mark Raffills, of Dry Crust Communications, Mr Chapman – a male health advocate and president of the Father and Child Society – produced five sets of five different T-shirts celebrating dads.
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Mr Chapman approached three major chain stores and pitched his T-shirt idea. After some consideration, they all eventually rejected his proposal, he said.

“It was seen as political and getting involved in the men’s rights movement, even though there weren’t similar concerns when it came to products involving women’s rights,” Mr Chapman said.

He also believes that men in general don’t see themselves as a group needing such support or promotion.

“I think men have become so marginalised in fatherhood that they believe the stereotypes that are constantly pushed at them.”

However, the Richmond Mall has come to Mr Chapman’s rescue, offering him a free stall this week where he can offer his T-shirts for sale (at $25 each) and take orders for them.