ABOVE: Left: President Ian Begaud, treasurer Ron Kuypers, Rob Murrells, secretary Vince Paino (front).
Right: Seniors Regional Roundtable rep Ray Strong is flanked by visitor hosts Ian McDougall (left) and Mick Gannaway
Right: Seniors Regional Roundtable rep Ray Strong is flanked by visitor hosts Ian McDougall (left) and Mick Gannaway
finding our way, forging our future
Ian McDougall (right) transfers his president's badge to Ian Begaud.
This is outgoing president Ian McDougall's report to the annual general meeting.
The idea of a Bloke’s Lounge had been gelling in my head for a couple of years. In my work with the Department of Communities and when helping get the Labrador Men’s Shed underway, I became aware that many older males were lonely or lacked regular contact with blokes of similar age. They wanted to make new friends; not an easy thing to do in a spread-out city with a disparate and quite expensive public transport system and a transient population.
My vision was for a safe, friendly and inclusive place where older males from all walks of life can socialise, make friends, share their stories and experiences, undertake meaningful activities to boost their physical and mental wellbeing, and undertake educational and awareness activities.
To a large degree, this vision has been achieved.
No, we don’t have a place of our own where blokes can come and go at their leisure, have a cuppa, read papers and participate in recreational activities. But we have created a welcoming environment where men can have a chat, make new mates and socialise either at gatherings or among themselves between times.
We have come a long way since a few blokes got together for an initial chat at the Labrador Community Centre in June 2012. Among them were Vince Paino, Rob Murrells and Max Manly – still with us today. We tried a couple more public meetings to get some ideas happening – I set out about 20 chairs. Vince and Rob were the only ones who fronted. We had a chat and stacked the chairs!
However, our first ‘real’ meeting happened at the now defunct Gov’s Expresso at Mermaid Beach on September 19, 2012. That’s where Rod Boscoe, Ian Brown, Vince Paino, Laurie Rogers, Ray Strong, Win Weed and I voted to form the Bloke’s Lounge Association – four of us remain, along with apologies on the day from Ian Begaud, Max Manley and Rob Murrells.
Thank you, men, for getting behind my vision and helping bring the Lounge to where it is today: membership of 20+ with 12 or so very regular attendees. I thank you men also for your support and encouragement.
The early request for gatherings was for guest speakers on a range of topical issues. Health and wellbeing was an early focus.
The idea of a Bloke’s Lounge had been gelling in my head for a couple of years. In my work with the Department of Communities and when helping get the Labrador Men’s Shed underway, I became aware that many older males were lonely or lacked regular contact with blokes of similar age. They wanted to make new friends; not an easy thing to do in a spread-out city with a disparate and quite expensive public transport system and a transient population.
My vision was for a safe, friendly and inclusive place where older males from all walks of life can socialise, make friends, share their stories and experiences, undertake meaningful activities to boost their physical and mental wellbeing, and undertake educational and awareness activities.
To a large degree, this vision has been achieved.
No, we don’t have a place of our own where blokes can come and go at their leisure, have a cuppa, read papers and participate in recreational activities. But we have created a welcoming environment where men can have a chat, make new mates and socialise either at gatherings or among themselves between times.
We have come a long way since a few blokes got together for an initial chat at the Labrador Community Centre in June 2012. Among them were Vince Paino, Rob Murrells and Max Manly – still with us today. We tried a couple more public meetings to get some ideas happening – I set out about 20 chairs. Vince and Rob were the only ones who fronted. We had a chat and stacked the chairs!
However, our first ‘real’ meeting happened at the now defunct Gov’s Expresso at Mermaid Beach on September 19, 2012. That’s where Rod Boscoe, Ian Brown, Vince Paino, Laurie Rogers, Ray Strong, Win Weed and I voted to form the Bloke’s Lounge Association – four of us remain, along with apologies on the day from Ian Begaud, Max Manley and Rob Murrells.
Thank you, men, for getting behind my vision and helping bring the Lounge to where it is today: membership of 20+ with 12 or so very regular attendees. I thank you men also for your support and encouragement.
The early request for gatherings was for guest speakers on a range of topical issues. Health and wellbeing was an early focus.
Warren Brooks, new member
Sessions covered included Centrelink entitlements benefits
and services, employment challenges for older males, updates on Commonwealth
aged care services, GC Seniors Regional Roundtable, superannuation
changes, COTA
Beyond Blue depression in older males and assistance available for
grieving, loneliness and mental health.
But blokes became disgruntled with being told they were old, sick and tired so we organised some other sessions, including an overview of library services, entertaining verse by fellas from Poetry in Paradise,
But blokes became disgruntled with being told they were sick and tired so we organised some other sessions, including an overview of library services, entertaining verse by fellas from Poetry in Paradise, new hospital and tram system updates, humorous reading by a local author Jim Parsons, an inspirational session with Bali bombing survivor Andrew Csabi, a social media awareness session
We also visited the Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame and throw in a quiz from time to time.
Through emails and our web site, we have put blokes in touch with ABC Health and Wellbeing, Emale, Medicare Local, Men’s Wellbeing, Beyond Blue and other sources of information and support.
Our media and promotional activity has included The Sun, The Senior, GC Seniors, Friday Flyer, Over Fifties publication, Sunboard as well as radio interviews on the ABC and 4CRB. We also utilise business cards, banners and car door magnets while some blokes have put notices on community boards at supermarkets and shopping centres.
We are an incorporated body. Per favour Connect the Coast, we have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to ensure we have adequate insurance cover at no cost to members.
We are a strong and self-sustaining mob with a formal but unrestrictive structure. We are a group of men keen to make friends and keep connected and to put in the effort to bring that about.
Yes, it’s been a struggle at times trying to get feedback on what men wanted to do. It was disappointing when activities were suggested and organised, then not well supported. But nothing lasting or meaningful is achieved without some adversity and, as a group, we have faced those challenges and overcome them.
The future, I believe, is a bright one; one of stability and growth, of building on the achievements made in this important first year.
Strong friendships have been formed and new ones developing. Blokes are using the profile sheet and email group to invite other men to go along to social events, sports, fishing and cinemas.
But blokes became disgruntled with being told they were old, sick and tired so we organised some other sessions, including an overview of library services, entertaining verse by fellas from Poetry in Paradise,
But blokes became disgruntled with being told they were sick and tired so we organised some other sessions, including an overview of library services, entertaining verse by fellas from Poetry in Paradise, new hospital and tram system updates, humorous reading by a local author Jim Parsons, an inspirational session with Bali bombing survivor Andrew Csabi, a social media awareness session
We also visited the Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame and throw in a quiz from time to time.
Through emails and our web site, we have put blokes in touch with ABC Health and Wellbeing, Emale, Medicare Local, Men’s Wellbeing, Beyond Blue and other sources of information and support.
Our media and promotional activity has included The Sun, The Senior, GC Seniors, Friday Flyer, Over Fifties publication, Sunboard as well as radio interviews on the ABC and 4CRB. We also utilise business cards, banners and car door magnets while some blokes have put notices on community boards at supermarkets and shopping centres.
We are an incorporated body. Per favour Connect the Coast, we have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to ensure we have adequate insurance cover at no cost to members.
We are a strong and self-sustaining mob with a formal but unrestrictive structure. We are a group of men keen to make friends and keep connected and to put in the effort to bring that about.
Yes, it’s been a struggle at times trying to get feedback on what men wanted to do. It was disappointing when activities were suggested and organised, then not well supported. But nothing lasting or meaningful is achieved without some adversity and, as a group, we have faced those challenges and overcome them.
The future, I believe, is a bright one; one of stability and growth, of building on the achievements made in this important first year.
Strong friendships have been formed and new ones developing. Blokes are using the profile sheet and email group to invite other men to go along to social events, sports, fishing and cinemas.
Ideas are bouncing about for the year ahead - brewery and winery tours, sporting stadium visits, trips to Tambourine, the Murwillumbah regional art gallery, inland lakes, swimming groups, barefoot bowls, fishing and an in-stages beach walk from the Spit to the border. Men are interested in volunteering and mentoring.
The Broadbeach Library has been a good initial venue but it has its limitations and it’s time to move on.
Thanks to initial explorations and contact by Rub Kuypers and Alan Sanders, and to an open-arms welcome by the Italo-Australian Club, this is where we will continue to meet in 2014. I encourage you to return that goodwill by supporting their dining, café and bar facilities or bringing some friends along for a feed at the restaurant.
In 2103 we had differing meeting dates and times in a bid to cater for the disparate needs of members. This was not useful. It was structure that was required.
The committee instigated set gathering and social barbeque days for 2014. This certainty will make a big difference in attendance. Those who are unable to attend regularly on gathering days can catch up at barbeques, walks and other social events as well as with mates in between times and by inviting blokes to other pursuits and events.
I thank fellow committee members Vince Paino, Rob Murrells, Ron Kuypers and early starter Ray Strong for keeping us running and in good shape. I wish the incoming committee well and offer my ongoing support as web manager, inquiry taker and with publicity and awareness activities. Thank you.
ABOVE: Founding members, from left - back Vince Paino, Ray Strong, Rob Murrells; front - Ian Begaud, Ian McDougall (Missing Rod Boscoe, Max Manley, Laurie Rogers)
The Broadbeach Library has been a good initial venue but it has its limitations and it’s time to move on.
Thanks to initial explorations and contact by Rub Kuypers and Alan Sanders, and to an open-arms welcome by the Italo-Australian Club, this is where we will continue to meet in 2014. I encourage you to return that goodwill by supporting their dining, café and bar facilities or bringing some friends along for a feed at the restaurant.
In 2103 we had differing meeting dates and times in a bid to cater for the disparate needs of members. This was not useful. It was structure that was required.
The committee instigated set gathering and social barbeque days for 2014. This certainty will make a big difference in attendance. Those who are unable to attend regularly on gathering days can catch up at barbeques, walks and other social events as well as with mates in between times and by inviting blokes to other pursuits and events.
I thank fellow committee members Vince Paino, Rob Murrells, Ron Kuypers and early starter Ray Strong for keeping us running and in good shape. I wish the incoming committee well and offer my ongoing support as web manager, inquiry taker and with publicity and awareness activities. Thank you.
ABOVE: Founding members, from left - back Vince Paino, Ray Strong, Rob Murrells; front - Ian Begaud, Ian McDougall (Missing Rod Boscoe, Max Manley, Laurie Rogers)
