By Tyler Wright
Sessions bringing dads in the Yarra Ranges together are set to begin in February in events organised by local group Mountain Men and Yarra Ranges Council.
A part of storm and pandemic recovery, four sessions will take place from February to May, helping men in the Dandenong Ranges forge stronger connections with each other and their families.
Upwey father-of-one and Mountain Men member, Heath Pawley, said the sessions which focus on are a chance to learn from peers as well as experts in fields including building and maintaining healthy, respectful and strong relationships.
“It’s not going to be something that’s a targeted to a relationship in crisis scenario, but it’s an opportunity to chat with other people, see what we learn from peers as well as an expert in that field and ask questions and hopefully walk away with some more tools…as far as maintaining those relationships,” Heath said.
“It’s not necessarily just the relationship with your partner, it could be family, it could be kids.”
The first session will be a ‘walk and talk’ bush walk at Glenfern Valley Bushlands in Upwey, guided by Ash Dargan on Wednesday 8 February, followed by ‘Relationships DIY’ on Tuesday 7 March.
Men young and old will also be able to attend a yarning circle on ‘Being Dad’ on Tuesday 4 April, and a Q&A with medical professionals discussing mental health and and physical well being on Tuesday 2 May.
Heath said Mountain Men’s yarning circles events began in 2021, when people “screaming” for in-person interaction.
“While some people have been able to create better working at home conditions or change jobs and improve things here and there, others are still grossly overworked and getting burnt out from the amount of work,” Heath said.
“That strain goes through the family and the relationships as well.”
Alongside these well being sessions will also be a Dad’s Bush Playgroup at One Tree Hill Picnic Ground in Tremont and Birdsland Reserve in Belgrave Heights, run by Yarra Ranges Council.
Community Recovery Officer at Yarra Ranges Council, Mike Colling, said it is an opportunity for dads to come together for social interaction while celebrating the area they live in.
“There’s quite a long list of positive outcomes we’re trying to meet [the] program,” Mr Colling said.
The intimate bush playgroup session will take place Saturday 4, 11, 18 & 25 February from 9am 10.30am.
The first three will be based at One Tree Hill Picnic Ground, with the last held at Birdsland Reserve.
Bookings are essential and can be made at ecoexplorers.com.au/eventsprograms/dads-bush-play/
Bookings for the well being sessions are also essential, with bookings available through Mike Colling, Community
Recovery Officer at Yarra Ranges Council via m.colling@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
