1. Mobilong Prison (SA)
A repeat of last year’s event – a footy match between prisoners from two jails – this time with added sponsorship from the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council. Once gain, there’ll be an emphasis on mateship, fitness and healthy living, free of drug-use.
2. Morning tea with pirates from the good ship, ‘Hail and Hearty’ (Vic)
A healthy ‘bloke and boys’ morning tea, bringing together dads and sons from local Mt Evelyn kindergartens. Will include health checks, health trivia and indoor sports as an alternative to TV.
3. Healthy dinner at netball and football practice at local oval (SA)
The Lochiel community is isolated and reeling from a series of premature deaths and a high level of depression. This event aims to inspire, encourage community connections and to deliver health info to men and young boys by local health professionals. Guest speaker: Tom Laws from Uni SA. Expecting 200 males.
4. Kicking goals for health (NSW)
If a man wants to see a GP in Albury, there’s a 6-week wait. Many men needing to see a doctor travel from remote locations. Petrol and a reluctance to seek help are further disincentives. This project aims to deliver health info at the local footy match – somewhere men would already be gathering. Health checks will be offered as well as free advice and a showbag. A guest speaker will talk at half time.
5. Aboriginal ‘Our health in our hands’ (NSW)
Conducting health checks on 30 per cent of the local Aboriginal population during men’s health week during an open day at Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service. Individual care plans will be drawn-up for those with chronic conditions.
6. Family billycart day (WA)
Fathers and sons build a billycart, race and then eat a healthy BBQ – great media potential. Health checks and info to be offered.
7. Multilingual poster for older men on health issues (NSW)
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre will produce a multicultural poster in Arabic, Croatian, Greek, Macedonian, Serbian and Vietnamese, promoting health of older men in their 50s, 60s and 70s.
8. Health checks for Kurdish men in Sydney (NSW)
An awareness program to encourage Kurdish men living in central western Sydney to have regular health checks. Many are refugees from war-torn Kurdistan, having survived torture and imprisonment. A soccer and BBQ with father and son teams will be the hook.
9. Mental health promotion in Macedon region (Vic)
Several shires are joining forces to offer men (forty plus) mental health support during two info sessions. Then, significantly, will contact each man eight weeks later to see how he’s travelling.
10. Two hour forum to discuss the enormity of becoming a father (Vic)
The session will connect local men to each other; give updated evidence based info on the physical and emotional issues that come with such a major change in life; provide support services. They expect 250 men. A comedian or other guest speaker will offer info.
11. Men’s health rocks (Vic)
Disadvantaged Bendigo men will get together to climb indoor rock-climbing walls followed by lunch and talk with Peter Strange, a well-known GP and advocate of men’s health.
12. Healthy mountain men (NSW)
Three events to inspire a remote, depressed and isolated community: a mountain bike day at the showgrounds, an info night and a pit stop health check.
13. Rural support day (NSW)
Another small, isolated community suffering effects of drought and petrol prices. This Binnaway Blokes health day will offer check-ups, conversation and, they reckon, Angry Anderson.
14. Indigenous brothers ‘balancing the bulge’ (QLD)
Aboriginal men, young and old, will be encouraged to be physically active by playing touch football. They will also have their current health status reviewed and monitored. A healthy meal will be provided. Each man will be monitored in the future.
15. Rock your body (NSW)
Aiming at young males, this project will promote recreational activities and will offer info on sexual and reproductive health through a series of four workshops and healthy meals.
16. Caring for those with disabilities (NSW)
Fathers and other primary male caregivers will be invited to a night of information sharing, health checks, news and frivolity. A meal will be provided and the group will watch the State of Origin Rugby League. Also open to male children and siblings so they have a night with their dad. Respite will also be available.
17. Nowra tree of knowledge Koori network event (NSW)
A four day healthy mind, body and spirit cultural camp on the south coast NSW. The group will build rapport, mentoring, leadership and offer health checks.
18. A boys’ night out (WA)
The remote and isolated farming community of Trayning will offer locals a night of discussion of health issues and health checks as well as written material. The community educator for Wheatbelt Men’s Health (Inc) will discuss stress management and mental health. A meal will follow.
19. Be a man (NSW)
Comedian and men’s health ambassador, Dave Grant, will perform for men, encouraging them to have a health check, as well as discussing erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer. BBQ to follow as will a pitstop health check.
20. Mending Menz Mindz and Bodz (NSW)
An evening of assessing old utes and old bodies. Men from isolated communities will come together to discuss a range of utes in various states of disrepair. The discussion will then turn to the state of their own bodies – with a doctor – as well as other guest speakers, a meal and a free lift home in a bus.
21. Tackling Corangamite cardiovascular disease (Vic)
Corangamite, Moyne and Warrnambool have the highest incidence of cardiovascular disease in Victoria. The ongoing drought is also causing problems with depression. This project, ‘Men’s stuff’ will centre around an evening at the local footy club rooms. Three speakers, including an AFL footballer, a 78 year old Koori marathon runner and a GP will speak on healthy living.
