When you add important advice from a trusted local GP, you have the makings for a great evening that also supports good mental health.
Which is precisely what people will find at the upcoming Benalla Men’s Wellbeing evening at Benalla Bowls Club.
Community members are encouraged to buy a ticket and come down to BBC from 6pm on Wednesday, June 17 to get together, enjoy a meal and hear from long-time local GP Gerard Brownstein.
Dr Brownstein will discuss men’s wellbeing while reflecting on his work in remote communities in outback Australia and his time as a GP at Benalla’s Church St surgery.
He will share information and tools for better physical and mental health for Australian men.
Benalla’s Brendan Smith is part of the organising committee, and a member of the Waminda board.
He said the idea for the event grew from Waminda Community House’s management team, which decided it would like to support an evening in Benalla that promoted men’s health.
“In conjunction with Wellways Australia we formed an organising committee,” Mr Smith said.
“Our keynote speaker is Dr Brownstein. He’s a well-known local GP and resident in Benalla for 35 years.
“He’s now retired but spends a lot of time in remote communities around Australia.
“He’ll be sharing some information on what he’s been doing in those communities, and talking very much about men’s health.
“He will be using some tools, including a booklet called A Spanner in the Works.
“That talks about men in different phases of their live, from their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s etc.”
The event is sponsored by Waminda Community House, Wellways Australia, Peter Davis Rural, LS Precast and Benalla Bowls Club.
Wellways psychosocial recovery service team leader Tim Batson is part of the organising committee.
He said this type of event proved extremely useful for attendees.
“I think naturally when you see men come together in groups and just people broadly, that there’s a natural innate capacity for us to look out for each other,” Mr Watson said.
“We want to encourage men to come together for this event and experience that.
“We’re looking at bringing men from other local men’s groups together to share that with the broader community.
“We’re hoping that there’s going to be some natural conversations come out of that.
“It’s positive when people experience what it is to be part of a group,
“It is quite sacred coming together for a meal and a conversation.
“I think Dr Brownstein will be an inspiring speaker.”
Mr Smith said following the talk, attendees would enjoy a tasty meal and some mateship.
“We’ve been leaving flyers in places like the men’s shed and other local groups, so we hope for a good attendance.
“But anyone is able to buy a ticket.”
Those are only $20 and include the meal, which is a chicken or vegie parma, or a schnitzel with chips, salad and a drink of either beer or soft drink.
To book your ticket, call Waminda Community House on 0491 630 213.
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