Fellowship and activities at Ballan Men’s Program

SOME may not be aware of it, but there’s a small, friendly group for men that meets weekly at the Ballan Neighbourhood House.

Known as the Ballan Men’s Program, the largely informal group exists primarily to provide fellowship, enjoyment and activity for those with time on their hands.

It has a core group of about 10 men who turn up each Monday, but numbers fluctuate marginally up and down as circumstances and availability dictate.

And according to spokesperson Kevin Healey, it’s a great way for blokes to let their hair down and just, well, do what blokes do.

“Some of the guys come because it’s one of the ways they get social interaction,” he said. “It started on that premise – it was to reduce isolation in a rural area.

“It’s a way of getting to know people in the community.”

The group has existed since about 2005 and draws members from within a five-kilometre radius of Ballan, but about a third come from Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat and further afield.

Mr Healey said the program does not have official office bearers and decisions on excursions and other activities are made on a simple majority vote.

The program meets every Monday of the year apart from the week between Christmas and New Year.

“There’s typically about 14 or 15 in the group at any one time. Occasionally it’ll be as few as seven but that’s rare; mostly it’s about 10 to 12 people,” Mr Healey said.

He said anyone is welcome to participate, including women, although some aspects of the gatherings might not be suitable for everyone.

A typical weekly agenda contains an item known as ‘What p****s me off’, while another is known as ‘Stuff-up of the Week’.

“That’s really quite competitive, that one,” Mr Healey said.

Participants can also ask for advice on services or other things they need help with, and birthday celebrations with a cake also take place.

Mr Healey said guest speakers are occasionally engaged, with a retired air crash investigator and a senior police officer among past presenters.

A nurse also makes regular appearances and does presentations on topics nominated by program members, and outings and excursions are also regularly arranged.

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Mr Healey on 0418 302 335 or by email at [email protected].