Local Men's Network - Blue Mountains

What a fabulous opportunity the first first combined meeting of men's groups in the Blue Mountains turned out to be...

We gathered at the Springwood Neighbourhood Centre, muched on a sausage and roll provided by Lee and cooked, with care, by Comrade Geoff, washed it down with some drinks and settled in with coffee and cake to share some experiences of the men's movement. After a couple of getting to know each other exercises, the atmosphere was sufficiently warmed and welcoming to settle into some more serious discussion.

The Men's Shed at Katoomba was strongly represented and gave some insight into both the struggle to establish the shed and the ongoing way in which they meet as men to share life experiences and explore personal growth.

The Mankind Project were similarly keen to share the experience of meeting as a local men's group for nearly five years. Their open and generous description of their personal growth and their passion for the structured programme that allows this development was quite apparent.

Older Men:New Ideas (OM:NI) described their experience operating in the local area and the larger picture for men's issues and the activist approach to addressing issues statewide.

Springwood Men's Project detailed their experience in obtaining funding and the ongoing support for men through Dad's in Distress (DIDS), OM:NI and the ongoing evening group that operates in the centre.

Men's Community Action Forum (MCAF) shared the experience of coordinating activities between the various groups and agencies in the mounatins local area. Details of the plethora of upcoming events for men were discussed. Some logistics were resolved for the impending International Men's Health Week. [brochures for the 200 handout packs asap please]

The SNCC Mens Project & OMNI Springwood, will promote a "comedy night" Monday 19 June 2006, at Lawson Bowling Club as part of International Mens Health Week.

The concept will include distribution the week before (12 June 2006) of some packs to men commuting to work .. these packs will include brochures on mens activities in the Blue Mountains, a small muffin or some sort of breakfast food, and an invitation to the Comedy Night sponsored by the SNCC Men's Project that will include food and the offer of making a fool of oneself at the open mike.

We will come prepared with jokes ourselves and with prepared jokes for those that want to give it a go... awards will be determined on the night and finger food will be available ..

This is an opportunity to promote mens health, the neighbourhood centres and the current groups and have some fun getting men involved.

The Springwood Local Men's Network combined meeting with the chaps from the Katoomba Men's Shed, will take place next Tuesday, 23 May 2006.

SNCC Men's Project will provide a barbecue with lots of food which will be hot and sizzling from 7 pm .. Some of the chaps have agreed to bring a bottle or two of wine to wash down Lee's cooking ......

Where - Springwood Neighbourhood Centre
106-108 Macquarie Road,
Springwood

When - Tuesday 23 May 2006
cooking under way by 7 pm

The agenda will include -

1. One page advert in Blue Mountains Gazette
2. International Mens Health Week
3. Men's Comedy Night
4. Other Members events