 Men are increasingly finding and creating ways to connect, setting up their own groups. These are groups that have little or no formal structure, meeting in places and ways that meet their unique needs. Dads groups, walking groups, exhibitions and more.
There are now several new such groups and opportunities: Men with Heart Exhibition returns to Hobart, with an exhibition at the BaHa'i Centre of Learning, 1 Tasman highway, Hobart, from Monday 2 March. Entry is free from 10am - 4pm weekdays. There is an official exhibition opening on 12 March. The Man Walk - Hobart Dads Group inc. - Hobart The Empowered Man - fortnightly in Hobart. Island of Men - retreat - near Hobart - April 2020 Dads Group Inc. Launceston Launceston Men's Group Dads Group NW What other groups are you aware of and can share with other men?
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 In 2016, MRT contributed a submission to the Tasmanian Government enquiry into Poker Machines in Tasmania - you can read the submission here.
The renewal of licenses and implementation of the Liberal Governments agenda from the 2018 election is likely to come up on the agenda in Parliament in coming weeks. MRT has been an active supporter of the the Community Voice on Pokies Reform. Now is potentially the last opportunity we have to influence the impact of Poker Machines in Tasmania for 20 years. For more information on recommended actions to take from here, please read this letter sent to CVOP members. We would certainly encourage you to write to your local member, with some of the ideas and suggestions to ensure harm from poker machines is reduced as much as possible. The following article is printed in the Mercury today. The recent announcement by the Federal Government of $64M funding for suicide prevention is a missed opportunity to address male suicide. Six of the eight people who tragically die by suicide everyday in Australia are men. We won’t see a significant reduction in suicide rates, let alone approach the Federal Government’s goal of zero suicides, until we get serious about a focus on male suicide. In 2019, the Government appointed National Suicide Prevention Advisor, Christine Morgan. Initial advice points to: “…the need to use the knowledge of lived experience, to intervene early, focus on specific at-risk groups, strengthen families and communities, and ensure that all government services--not just health services--are working to reduce suicide.” The Federal Government is responding with a welcome change in the focus of suicide prevention awayfrom medical models towards approaches that are informed by people’s lived experience. However, the funding announced in January primarily targets postvention services, which have a focus on supporting people who have attempted suicide, or have been affected by the suicide of someone close to them. Analysis by the Australian Men’s Health Forum shows that postvention services, as they are currently delivered, tend to reach more women. Reducing suicide, suicidal behaviours and thoughts, and the direct impacts these have on people who are at risk of suicide, and their families and friends, is always a good thing. However, as is the case with any Government project, funds are limited, which means decisions have to be made, and priorities chosen. Evidence-based aproaches are vital, and the evidence shows we’re not reaching men. The terrible statistics about male suicide have been the same for decades. In recent years, advocates like Glen Poole of Stop Male Suicide, the Australian Men’s Health Forum, Men’s Health Information and Resources Centre, and the Australian Institute of Male Health Studies, have been advocating for and providing evidence about effective approaches to take action on male suicide. We know that over 50% of male suicides occur in the context of relationship breakdown, employment challenges, of financial difficulty, and issues of drug and alcohol addiction. If we’re serious about suicide prevention, we need to engage men when they are experiencing these challenging life circumstances, before a suicide attempt happens, because most male suicides occur at the first attempt. In our valuable and important efforts to listen to those left behind by the suicide of a loved one, or those who have attempted suicide themselves, is there a risk of not sufficiently hearing the voices of our most significant at-risk group–men–because they have already gone? The extension of the Suicide Prevention Trial is a good initiative. Men’s Resources Tasmania (MRT) has successfully advocated for a focus on men through the Tasmanian trial sites across the north of the state with various training, workshops and events occurring in the last two years to ensure services and workplaces address male suicide risk. MRT is seeking partnerships and funding to connect with men across the state to better understand their needs and the supports that would meet those needs. Jonathan Bedloe Excecutive Officer - MRT  After a much-needed break, we're back on deck for another year and looking forward to working with you, and supporting the men and boys of Tassie to make positive progress again this year.
Congratulations to Tom Windsor - the Tasmanian Local Hero Australian of the Year award winner. As I'm sure you know, Tom has made a massive contribution to the Movember movement through his Mobart MoBros and various fundraising efforts, including his team that run the Point to Pinnacle each year. It's great to see Tom's efforts to support men’s health recognised nationally. Our AGM was held in early December, and with that we have said goodbye to some folks from the board, and welcomed some new members. Our Annual Report provides those details and other highlights from 2019, and we'll have more to share soon about other changes and developments. Obviously, it's been a challenging start to the year for many families across the country. We're deeply mindful of all those people who have lost loved ones, homes, property and businesses that they have worked to build over many years. Our thoughts and sympathies are with everyone affected by the fires, and we also express our deep gratitude to the firies, male and female, who are working so hard to keep our communities safe. We’re looking forward to continuing the work this year in support of healthier lives for men and boys in Tasmania. Jonathan Bedloe Executive Officer - MRT  We're looking for dads who have been involved in family law proceedings.
The Commonwealth Government is conducting an inquiry into Family Law in Australia. More details about the inquiry and information about how to submit can be found HERE. Men’s Resources Tasmania plans to write a submission to this inquiry. MRT is seeking some general feedback on people’s experiences of the family law system. We aim to provide evidence to inform the inquiry of the some of the experiences of some men. We understand some of these issues are complex and can sometimes bring on strong feelings of anger and resentment. As an unfunded, volunteer run organisation we are not able to offer support for people dealing with these issues, or to advocate on behalf of individuals. If you wish to share a story, please do at the end. While we may reference all or part of a story to inform our submission, we cannot guarantee that your story will be included. This survey is aimed at fathers who have had involvement of the family law system. However, if you are a stepfather, grandfather or male carer of children and have been involved in family law disputes, you are also welcome to contribute your experiences. Submissions to the Parliamentary Inquiry are due by 18 December. Our submission will, therefore be based on survey results received by close of business Friday 13 December. If you have questions about the inquiry, you can contact the committee secretariat. · Phone: +61 2 6277 3439 · Fax: +61 2 6277 5809 · familylaw.sen@aph.gov.au  Thanks to everyone who sponsored, came along, provided and bought prizes at our second annual event. We'll share some more new soon. We're gathering again to celebrate International Men's Day for 2019 - with the theme Let's Talk About Men. You're invited to join us for a barbecue breakfast at The Goods Shed, Macquarie Point from 7.30am on Tuesday 19 November. Paul Hudson, player of 245 AFL games for Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs, coach and now father will share some of his experiences and insights, and maybe his thoughts on an AFL team for Tassie? John X will MC proceedings, and some live music will help us to celebrate International Men's Day and the contributions men to our community and families. There are still opportunities for organisations to sign up to have a table at the event. Download the Registration form below.. We're also looking for more sponsorship and prizes to raffle or auction off. Get in touch at info@mrtasmania.org Please share the poster with your networks. 
 The challenge has been completed, and the folks at Van Demon Fitness in Mornington have generously given up their time, and considerable energy to raise funds for MRT. This was no lightweight challenge. VDF members completed a 5 km row within 20 minutes - not just once, but every hour for 24 hours. We're incredibbly grateful for the money raised. We'll let you know more soon. All funds raised will go to the work of Men's Resources Tasmania Inc.
Thanks to Van Demon Fitness an Eudoxia  Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service are championing Tassie's wonderful wild and natural places for healthy activities. Coming up on Sunday 15 September, They's hosting an event at Waterworks Reserve in Hobart. Of course there are plenty of other parks across the State, easily accessed for a couple of hours of fun, with the kids. Parks have also produced this little list of tips for healthy picnic and barbecue options.
 You are invited to take part in a research project looking at Mental Health and Ageing.
Do you have 15 minutes to contribute to scientific research? Danielle Herreen from the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide is looking for volunteers to complete a brief survey about Mental Health and Ageing. The survey will ask you to rate the extent to which you’ve experienced certain feelings and behaviours over the past few weeks, as well as your level of agreement with common statements about what it means to be a man or a woman. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete and you could even win one of three $150 EFTPOS gift cards. Participation in this study is entirely voluntary and you are free to withdraw from the study at any stage prior to submission of the survey. The information collected in this study may help to improve our understanding of how mental health symptoms differ for men and women across the lifespan, leading to better recognition and diagnosis of mental health problems. To participate in the study, click the button below. This study has been approved by the University of Adelaide Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number H-2019-109).  There have been a few fantastic articles in the last few months that explore the issues around masculinity, and broaden it from simplistic notions of toxicity and health. One of late was that by David Leser in the Sydney Morning Herald. There's powerful paragraph early in the article from a book by Eve Ensler, feminist writer of the Vagina Monologues. It describes a deep anguish experienced by a soldier that opened Enslers eyes to the experiences of men she had previously not understood.
The article goes on to explore a range of topics, including the idea that stereotypes of men (and women) continue to be perpetuated. Amongst the various spaces that stereotypes have been challenges against in the past 30 years or so is through the various men's groups and gatherings that have developed around the world, including in Tasmania. Often people wonder about young men and how we can help them to explore their own masculinity in healthy ways. There are various programs and organisations doing work with these young men, the leaders, politicians, and business leaders of tomorrow. Some schools run programs in year 9, exploring different approaches to education at a time when many young men struggle to stick with the system. Coming up in early September is another camp with Community Rites of Passage, happening on Bruny Island. Nick Hall, of Nick Hall Adventure Therapy is one of the leaders, recently profiled in a local Hobart publication. He'll be helping out on their next camp at Bruny Island from 5-8 September. There is still space on this camp, and more camps coming up in the future. Rites of Passage programs such as these, provide concrete ways for boys to see a diverse range of masculinities, see intimacy between men supporting each other, sharing stories and experiences, learning when and how to be strong in vulnerability, |
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