Riverina Murray Older Men’s Groups Newsletter 3rd Edition
February 2007
Welcome to this the 3rd Edition of the Riverina Murray Older Men’s Groups Newsletter. NB: Just a friendly reminder to those of you who receive the Newsletter either by mail or email that as the contact person for your group you are expected to pass it on to your group members so that every one has access to it. Feel free to also pass copies of the newsletter on to others in your community who might be interested in receiving it. The newsletter is published every 3 months. Remember this is your newsletter and all contributions are welcome. Contributions to the newsletter can be sent to Michael Thompson at Age Concern, 432 Townsend St, Albury 2640, fax 02 6021 8626, or via email on manager@ageconcern.org.au. The deadline for the next edition is the 31st May 2007.
Newsletter Naming Competition:
The first item of business in this edition is to come up with a name for our Newsletter. At the last Riverina Murray Older Men’s Group Meeting, it was suggested that we have a competition to name the newsletter. So get your creative juices flowing and invent a catchy name for this publication. The prize is a free attendance at the next Muster. We already have had some suggestions sent in • HINDSIGHT, • PIONEERS ADVANCE and • ROMPING [Riverina/Murray Older Men’s Perceptions, Information ‘N’ Goings on. Get your suggestions in and the name will be chosen at the next Older Men’s Group Meeting. Your ideas can be forwarded to Margaret Dalmau 02 6932 3020 or Michael Thompson 02 6021 5122.
Riverina Murray Older Men’s Group:
The last meeting was held on the 24th November 2006 with those involved representing groups from Corowa, Corryong, Albury, Wagga, Deniliquin, Griffith, Finley, Greater Southern Area Health Service and Age Concern. The meeting was held via videoconference link across 5 sites. This was a new experience for many of us and although it is not cheap, it saves many hours of travel and litres of fuel. As mentioned above, we talked about a name for and distribution of the Newsletter. We also discussed the need for some guidelines for contributions to the newsletter so that everyone is clear about the content and size of the articles so that groups can then get equal exposure. Initial discussions were also held about finding a sponsor for the newsletter. Any of your ideas on this would be most welcome. We also discussed the “Terms of Reference” for the Riverina Murray Older Men’s Group. This refers to the reasons for this Regional Group coming together and what it will work on i.e. the Muster. It does not relate to any of the individual groups across the area. The next meeting of the Riverina Murray Older Men’s Group will be held on Friday 23 March, 2007 from 1pm to 3pm. This will be a videoconference link up from 4 sites across the area - Griffith, Wagga and Finley Community Health Centres, and Albury Base Hospital. Any one wanting to participate in the meeting please let Michael Thompson or Margaret Dalmau know by Wednesday 21 March.
Older Men’s Muster:
Now that the next Muster is set for 3 & 4 October 2007 at Borambola, we need your suggestions for a theme. We are also looking for suggestions about speakers, activities and discussions. Some thoughts already put forward have included Fishing, Prostate, Water and Hearing. It has also been proposed that we need to acknowledge the drought and its effect on rural communities. For the Muster to be a success, you, the participants need to have a say in the program, so let us know what you would like on the program.
Health Advice Corner
Do Your Shoes need a Tune Up? Check the sole for good tread and resole if worn Check the fastenings for wear & tear and replace the laces or velcro Check the leather or vinyl for cracks or splits and replace If you look after your car, remember that your feet are a form of transport as well.
Merrin, the Physio
News From Older Men’s Groups
CANOLA ADVENTURERS, COOLAMON The group was formed in June 2000 and meets weekly at the Allawah Community Hall. There are 32 members and an average of 25 attends each meeting. The aim of the group is friendship, support and social interaction for men. The group meetings feature a range of guest speakers and activities including music days and bus trips around the local area. The group also has 3-day bus trips twice per year, usually in April and October. ST. PAUL’S CHAIN GANG, WAGGA The Chain Gang consists of 15-20 men that meet weekly on a Wednesday and work on various community projects. Some of the projects currently being undertaken are the painting and refurbishment of St. Paul’s Rectory and a major garden maintenance project at the Wagga Anglican Bishop’s residence. Later in the year there are plans to remove and reconstruct the cement pathways attached to the home of a Legacy widow. Around October, the group has its annual week away. This year the destination could be Broken Hill or even Lake Eyre
COOTAMUNDRA MEN’S SHED The Coota Men’s shed has been operating for about 18 months and currently has 40 members that are a mix of veterans, non-veterans, retirees, employed, unemployed and men of all abilities. The group has a charter that focuses on health, wellbeing, community involvement and the sharing of skills and interests.
The group meets twice monthly for a yarn over a cuppa and participation in a shed project that meets a community need. There is a monthly tutorial conducted by a visiting speaker. Due to recent increases in membership, the group is expanding the size of its shed and equipment. The community, private philanthropists, and government grants are supporting this. WAGGA RSL SUB-BRANCH The Wagga RSL Sub-branch has kicked off its 2007 activities with a BBQ on the 14th February. These BBQs will take place monthly at the sub Branch house. Currently, the sub-branch is looking for volunteers to help with activities such as selling badges and poppies on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. If you are able to help out, please contact the Office on 69213528 LOCKHART LOCAL BLOKES A gathering of Lockhart Local Blokes get together monthly on the third Thursday at the Lockhart Ex-Servicemen’s Club. Approximately 16 older blokes attend for a chat, a drink and a BBQ lunch that is supplied by the Club. CLIFTON ST CAFÉ, MATHOURA The “Old Chaps” of Mathoura gather at the transfer station (OK the tip) each Thursday. We like sitting on recycled chairs in a very hot or cold shed drinking fresh coffee out of cleaned recycled cups and eating morning tea sent in by our wives. We like the informality. We enjoy the company, laugh a good deal, share information, talk about local politics, help each other, and work together on town projects. We have guest speakers occasionally. It is to our advantage that we all move at the same pace. Another is the variety of backgrounds from which we all come. Snow is our leader and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Riverina Murray Older Men’s Groups Contacts: Margaret Dalmau has recently updated the list of contacts for the various older men’s groups that currently meet in the Riverina Murray. If anyone would like a copy of this list so you can contact the other groups to perhaps arrange a visit please give Margaret a call on 02 6932 3020.