NEW dads with prams and carriers are being urged to arrive at Flying Fox Park next month on October 2 for Torquay’s own Man With A Pram fundraiser for Father’s Day this year.<\/p>\n
Mothers and grandparents are also welcome as the organisers of the event, Dads Group, aspires to create “the village that raises a child”.<\/p>\n
The event is a great opportunity to connect with other new dads, have a feed, spend time with your kids and inspire and highlight the importance of active fatherhood, all while supporting perinatal mental health.<\/p>\n
Those who arrive on the day will meet at the park at 10am then walk approximately 1.6 kilometres to Elephant Run Playground.<\/p>\n
There they will meet with the Surf Coast Shire’s Maternal Childhood Services Team and their coffee cart, which will welcome the group.<\/p>\n
There will also be a raffle with an abundance of baby gear and other prizes on offer.<\/p>\n
Conversations and networking between local dads and their families will then conclude the day’s event.<\/p>\n
Head organiser of the Torquay Dads Group, Tyson Daoust, says the event creates a good opportunity to spread awareness.<\/p>\n
The first objective of the event is to show new fathers that there are support networks in place and the second is to build connections within the community.<\/p>\n
“One of the reasons why Dads Group exists is because mothers have plenty of support when new children arrive,” Mr Daoust said.<\/p>\n
“Mothers groups are pretty prevalent, and they are very, very effective at helping mothers through some tough, life-changing experiences.<\/p>\n
“Dads often don’t see these benefits and so Dads Group allows for an opportunity to be together and have a network of other fathers that they can lean on.”<\/p>\n
Mr Daoust was one of many dads who felt quite isolated after the birth of their first child.<\/p>\n
“For new fathers, it is a great thing to have a connection with other dads,” he said.<\/p>\n
“When you are a dad, you are not alone, there are lots of other dads out there doing the same things that you are doing and going through.<\/p>\n
“It’s a fantastic experience to build camaraderie and we are hoping this event will drive that message home.”<\/p>\n
The Torquay Dads Group, which has been running since just before the pandemic began, is partnering with the Surf Coast Shire on this event.<\/p>\n
To purchase raffle tickets head to the website at manwithapram.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEW dads with prams and carriers are being urged to arrive at Flying Fox Park next month on October 2 for Torquay’s own Man With A Pram fundraiser for Father’s Day this year. Mothers and grandparents are also welcome as the organisers of the event, Dads Group, aspires to create “the village that raises a […]<\/p>\n