tomnet inc. april 2013 newsletter
DESCRIPTION
TOMNET Inc is available to all men over the age of 50 and assists men who feel isolated and feel they need more social inclusion.TRANSCRIPT
TOMNET TelegraphTOMNET Telegraph
April 2013 ‘older men supporting older men’older men supporting older men’
This is recited every week at TOMNET on WEDNESDAY. It sounds wonderful!
But it is the doing, not just the saying, that counts.
What does it really mean to be a TOMNET
member?
TOMNET is not a building, nor just a Wednesday meeting or an occasional bus trip. Historically, a TOMNET member took responsibility for himself, and responsibility for supporting other older men. That’s the “growing and changing, giving and receiving” part of the Pledge. That’s the TOMNET slogan in action – Older men supporting older men. That’s mateship.
How well are doing this now?
TOMNET offers opportunities to bring older men together to build relationships of true mateship. These fellowship bonds mean that your TOMNET mates can be relied on to support you when you need it.
Next time you meet another older man, make a positive effort to get to know him. Not just superficially. Listen. Learn something about him and ask how he’s travelling. Look out for someone new, help him to meet others. Help him “belong”.
That’s the “passion for living, learning and loving” in action with the satisfying benefits of “growing and changing”.
Some more opportunities for “daring and hoping, for growing and changing
� Know a bloke on his own? Phone him each week
� See an old bloke down the street? Say G’day, ask him how he is travelling?
� Drop a note regularly to a bloke who is isolated
� Introduce someone you know to another TOMNET bloke, invite him for coffee, an outing, a movie…
Every TOMNET member can do something for some-one, or even for some-two. That’s the “vision of faith in ourselves” bit.
Just imagine. If we all committed ourselves to making regular contacts with only one other older bloke we could reach out to 1000 older men around South West Queensland.
Let’s put the “bite” into our Pledge recitations.
223 Hume Street
Toowoomba South QLD 4350
The TOMNET Pledge: Nice to recite, but does it have any bite?
The TOMNET Pledge
As the TOMNET community spreads its influence and assistance
to other older men throughout South-West Queensland
may we have passion for living, learning and loving,
the courage for daring and hoping,
for growing and changing,
the capacity for giving and receiving,
and the strength to live the TOMNET values
of courtesy, healing and peace,
and a vision of faith in ourselves.
www.tomnet.org.au
Page 2
Chit ChatChit Chat
LOURDES INJUNE PITTSWORTH FREEDOM LONGREACH
Think about it – the next time you're
called a GOOSE it could be a compliment
Lessons from Geese
Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier
because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.
Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into flying formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation
with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
Fact3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point opposite.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing
leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities, and unique arrangements
of gifts, talents or resources.
Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In
groups where there is encouragement the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by
one’s heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by
each other in difficult times, as well as when we
are strong.
Nat King Cole still lives! TOMNET member Ken
Elborne’s recent delightful program of nostalgic songs was warmly received at a recent TOMNET on
WEDNESDAY. He is a member of the Darling Downs Mens Barbershop Chorus. They will be entertaining us at our Mothers Day concert in May.
A dozen or more TOMNET-ers, including Ted Luck (pictured), took advantage of Debbie Keleher’s on-the-
spot hearing tests one Wednesday last month. Debbie is from Australian Hearing, a Federal Government initiative providing a variety of hearing aids for pensioners and
veterans.
March marked the anniversary of the founding of Lifeline in Sydney 50 years ago. Begun by Wesley Mission,
Lifeline now operates in 19 countries. In Oz, Lifeline centres answered 541,450 calls in 2012.
STARTLING STATISTIC: Suicide by male
Queenslanders older than 50 years rose from 121 in 2000 to 150 in 2009. That’s an average of three each week, and is “only cases with the level of probability that death was
due to suicide categories as Probable or Beyond Reasonable Doubt.” It highlights again the importance of
TOMNET’s proactive suicide prevention and counselling activities.
Easter has just past. ANZAC Day looms. Both highlight
service and sacrifice. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of Christian faith. That’s why, for Christians, Easter is a time of contemplation and
celebration. ANZAC Day reminds us of the heroes and horrors of war and its aftermath. Both events warrant a
pause for reflection
QUOTABLE: A cheerful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Solomon).
www.tomnet.org.au
Page 3
TOMNET’S FUTURE – CHALLENGING AND EXCITING
TOMNET has achieved many successes in its first 11 years. It has grown to a size greater than ever anticipated. With that have come the benefits but also the risks encountered by a fast-growing organisation.
In the past year, we have been reviewing TOMNET’s structures. Now is the time to re-emphasise our core purpose, consolidate our resources, produce effective plans for the future, and thus ensure the delivery of our agreement with government. The funding bodies are clearly challenging us to demonstrate the value of every dollar they provide to support us – and quite rightly so.
1. The Management Committee’s planning meeting this month agreed to focus on the following in the next 12 months:
2. Rebuilding and communicating our culture – where our members’ responsibilities are first with themselves, then to care for other older men. This will influence the way our gatherings and programs are delivered.
3. Restructuring the Management Committee to work towards a skill-based board to help position TOMNET for the future. We will actively seek within our membership and/or the community men with skills in such areas as Accountancy, Human Resources, Business Management, Not-for-Profit sector, to help us design a sustainable future for TOMNET by the next AGM.
4. Supporting the General Manager in reviewing programs delivered, staffing resources, roles and responsibilities, and service agreements to ensure we are meeting TOMNET’s core business and service agreements. This may see some changes to our structure.
5. Reactivating member-driven volunteer programs so that our members take an active role in co-ordinating our programs and events.
The Management Committee sees this as both challenging and exciting, an opportunity to re-invigorate TOMNET to focus on men looking after themselves, each other, and caring for and supporting other older men in our community.
NUBEENA DALBY CROWS NEST MITCHELL WESTHAVEN
Management Committee in actionManagement Committee in action
Team Members Needed Team Members Needed
Are you willing to put your hand up?
� Yukana Mens Group
� Nubeena Mens Group Team Leader: Les Banks, phone 4634 3571 Email: [email protected]
� Lourdes Mens Group Team Leader:Nev Bambrick, phone 4636 1429 Email: [email protected]
� Freedom Aged Care
� Westhaven Mens Group Team Leader: John Erbs, phone 0418 880 204 Email: [email protected]
We need 10 volunteers for the aged care visiting teams for 1-2 hrs a month for 12 months.
A Job Description is available from the TOMNET Centre, so if your commitment is ‘caring for others’ you are the one we want. Contact the TOMNET Centre and join a team today. Meeting dates see page 5.
www.tomnet.org.au
It is months away but TOMNET’s R U OK? Day convenor Ian Yeates wants everybody to book the date on their calendars now. The venue will again be Newtown Park.
How did R U OK? Day begin? Ian explains: It was started by the late Gavin Larkin, a decision spurred, in part, by his father’s suicide in 1995 and his own battle with depression. He told an ABC interviewer, “I had all the trophies and a lot of success, but not a lot of joy. I was pretty depressed and I was concerned because my father had taken his own life 15 years before. I was worried if I didn’t do anything to sort out my problems that before you know it I might be considering what he did.”
This in spite of a successful career as an advertising executive. What he did was launch R U OK? Day.
In February 2010 Mr Larkin was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma and underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants. In July doctors told him there was nothing else they could do. He is survived by his wife Maryanne and children Guys, Josie and Van. His legacy? R U OK? Day.
R U OK? Day set for Sept 12
Page 4
Thank you to the men who have taken up some of the positions below, we hope your time with us is enjoyable.
However, more help in some areas is always needed.
Some of the volunteer positions below are becoming desperate for help, if you can offer some of your time
please call 4638 9080.
Reception Duties - Tuesday afternoon, noon till 4pm
Light Handyman Duties - setting and packing up for
the weekly meetings, odd jobs
Catering - Light lunches, morning/afternoon tea
preparation
Mentoring - Flexi School, working with the students
Vegie gardening - at the Flexi School and TOMNET
Centre
Newsletter Folders - preparing newsletters for mailing
Any help you can give is appreciated.
LOURDES INJUNE PITTSWORTH FREEDOM LONGREACH
Positions VacantPositions Vacant Outreach newsOutreach news
HAVE YOUR HAIR CUT AT TAFE FOR FREE
To make an appointment
phone the Salon on
4694 1660
Please bear in mind many of the students are only learning the trade and are very young and impressionable.
Also be mindful of your comments and conversation while sitting in the chair. After all, they hold the scissors!
Please do not jeopardise the service TAFE has offered ‘free’ to TOMNET members by inappropriate
conversation or comments.
Volunteer Journalist for
TOMNET Telegraph
• Do you have a knack for writing stories?
• Do you have a background in journalism or just
keen to write articles?
• Would you be prepared to attend and report on
TOMNET gatherings and events?
The TOMNET Telegraph needs your expertise.
TOMNET is having a competition to find a dedicated journalist to make the TOMNET Telegraph even better. If you are interested, please submit an article of 250
words on a topic of your choice to [email protected].
Entries will be accepted until Friday April 20th 2013. Contributions may be edited.
TAFE HaircutsTAFE Haircuts
www.tomnet.org.au
The Millmerran Men’s Health Expo was a great success.
MOMnet catered for 60 guests but the number exceeded all expectations.
Well done, gentlemen of Millmerran and surrounding areas.
We were treated to speakers who told us about diabetes, hearing loss, dementia and values of checking labels on food stuffs. Some very interesting topics gave us something to think about later.
The men enjoyed a lovely healthy lunch and concluded the day by swapping seats to get to know some new friends.
The next Health Expo will be held at the Pittsworth Town Hall on Thursday, April 11 2013,
from 9am to 3pm. Many service providers will be represented on the day.
If you would like any further information please contact
the TOMNET Centre on 4638 9080 or Helen Blanch
Community Health Nurse, on 4695 3123.
More Help Needed
Page 5
NUBEENA DALBY CROWS NEST MITCHELL WESTHAVEN
TOMNET on WEDNESDAYS
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Hall
Cnr Phillip & James Streets,
From 1.30
until
3.30pm
Afternoon Tea will be provided.
All
older men regardless of their circumstances are welcome to attend our meetings and the TOMNETCentre
Catherine Beutel
‘Recycling’
Peter Nightingale
Life Line ‘Gambling Help’
All About Wood ‘Wood working Display’
Andy Mullin Military Support Officer
‘Serving in Afghanistan’
Coming Events at TOMNETComing Events at TOMNET
If you are interested in attending any of the advertised
events please call the Centre for further information. APRIL 2013 11th TOOWOOMBA SHOW TOMNET Centre CLOSED 25th ANZAC DAY Wreath laying at Mothers Memorial
TOMNET Centre CLOSED
MAY 2013 8th MOTHERS DAY CONCERT ` Entertainment Darling Downs Mens Barbershop Chorus
JUNE 2013 BUS TRIP.
Details in May Telegraph
April at TOMNET April at TOMNET
3rd
10th
17th
24th
Date: 12th April 2013
Time: 10.00 - 11.30am (Morning Tea included)
Venue: St Bartholomew’s Church (In the grounds of Symes Thorpe Nursing Home -
Entry off Stenner Street)
Facilitators: Rob Brabrook
Vince Little Tristan Mentor
Most people seem to agree that men are not very good at sharing their feelings, particularly when it
comes to very personal issues.
The Men at Work group is designed to help men deal with life issues that have remained unresolved.
All discussions are confidential.
This will also provide an opportunity to share with others who may have similar issues.
Men At Work Group for 2013Men At Work Group for 2013
Diary Dates for AprilDiary Dates for April
Westhaven Men’s Group 4th April 1.30 - 3.30pm
Men at Work Group 12th April 9.30 - 11.30am
Nubeena Men’s Group 9th April 10 - 11.30am
Promotional Sub Committee 9th April 1.30pm - 3pm
Management Committee 17th April (Formal Meeting) 10am - 1pm
Freedom Aged Care Men’s Group 17th April 10 - 11am
Yukana Men’s Group 29th April 2.30 - 3pm
Volunteer Training 26th April 9.30am - 12.00pm
Lourdes Men’s Group 25th (Holiday) 11.30am - 1pm
Policy Sub - Committee 25th (Holiday) 10.30 - 11.30am
Information on venues for all meetings can be obtained from the TOMNET Centre on 4638 9080
Discussion for April ‘LONELINESS’
www.tomnet.org.au
Page 6 ROMA YUKANA TOOWOOMBA OAKEY HIGHFIELDS
If you would like to play a quiet game of cards
and meet some new mates come to the TOMNET Centre
Monday mornings 9.00 - 11.30am
However, if Chess is more your game, Wednesday mornings might suit you. We have
experienced Chess players who will be happy to spend some quiet time with you.
Scrabble sets are also available.
Morning tea included
The Older Mens Network 223 Hume Street
South Toowoomba
Thursday Mornings between 9.30am and 12 noon, at the TOMNET Centre, are reserved for the tinkle of teaspoons and chatter of men discussing tractors, machinery, trucks, sheep, old school days, shearing, almost any topic is fair game for these men. Often a guest speaker will come along and reminisce with the men with stories of older times. If you have an interest or a hobby you would like to share, no matter what it is, please make yourself known at one of the Chew the Fat get-togethers. You are always welcome. More information can be obtained from the Centre by calling 4638 9080
TOOWOOMBA Show Holiday TOOWOOMBA Show Holiday
Mother’s Day ConcertMother’s Day Concert
CHEW the FAT will not be held
on
April 11th as the
TOMNET Centre will be
CLOSED for the
Toowoomba Show
Holiday.
www.tomnet.org.au
TOMNET on WEDNESDAY St Pauls Lutheran Hall
Phillip St
Mothers Day Concert
8th May
Entertainment by
Darling Downs Mens Barbershop Chorus
Ladies Welcome
Afternoon tea provided
Please Note:
A Morning tea to welcome New Members to TOMNET will be held at the TOMNET Centre on Friday, April 5th 2013 at 10am till 11.30am. Come along and meet other new members of The Older Men’s Network. This is also a chance to meet the TOMNET Staff, and find out a bit more about your organisation.
Page 7 INGLEWOOD TARA MILLMERRAN GOONDIWINDI
Before he rode into the sunset, Lloyd Enkelmann gave a parting reminder to Men at Work to focus on its core
business:
‘’A man’s social isolation and loneliness can be altered
by sharing something of himself with his peers for
TOMNET is a community of conversation of talking, listening
and simply being there, connected, engaged,
with a true sense of belonging as a contributor and a beneficiary”
Someone else has put it this way:
“No one can develop freely in this world and find a full life
without feeling understood by at least one person.
He who would see himself clearly must open up to a
confidant freely chosen and worthy of such trust” (P. Tournier M.D.)
Men at Work meets once a month at St Bartholomew’s Church (in the grounds of Symes Thorpe Nursing Home –
entry at the eastern end of Stenner Street). The group usually meets on the second Friday of each month between
10.00 and 11.30am. A particular topic is selected for each meeting to be used as a vehicle for our conversation. Fliers
advertising these meetings are available at TOMNET on WEDNESDAYS.
These conversations are designed to achieve our goal: ‘older men supporting older men’ .
This brings us to the actual Work of the group: creating a climate of safety, confidentiality, respect and trust.
Here are a few guidelines:
1. Treat this group as a private conversation – don’t repeat elsewhere what others have shared here.
2. This group is for discussion and support, not debate. No one is right, no one is wrong.
3. Talk about yourself and your own experience. Ask questions of others but don’t challenge or criticise the
validity of their experience.
4. Sharing your feelings or experiences is always optional. If you don’t want to speak in the group just say ‘pass’.
If you do wish to share, disclose only as much as is comfortable for you.
5. Listen. Hear what the other person is saying. Let them finish talking and think before you react. Realise that the
same word or phrase may mean different things to different people.
6. As far as possible keep comments brief and to the point so that everyone has a chance to speak.
7. Encourage people to be gentle with themselves and others. This includes respecting our differences. We each
have our own unique history, memories, stresses, high and low points, levels of support, and ways of coping.
The current Facilitators of Men at Work are Rob Brabrook, Vince Little and Tristan Mentor.
Please let us know if our processes are working for you.
Men at Work Group:Men at Work Group:focus on discussion and support, not debatefocus on discussion and support, not debate
www.tomnet.org.au
New Members Morning tea
Page 8 LOURDES INJUNE PITTSWORTH FREEDOM LONGREACH
The colours you have to choose from are Navy or Navy! Polo shirts, Cap and Vest and a light blue for the dress shirt. The photography does not do the colours justice. They all can be ordered now from the TOMNET Centre. Payment would be appreciated when you place an order. All garments display the TOMNET Logo and web site on them, and are on display at the TOMNET Centre in Hume Street.
Dress Shirt $45.00
Non Iron – easy to care for.
Fleecy Vest $33.00.
Front zip
Polo Shirt $28.00
With/without a pocket
Cap $12.00
Adjustable fit.
TOMNET Shirts/Caps and VestsTOMNET Shirts/Caps and Vests
www.tomnet.org.au
Page 9
NUBEENA DALBY CROWS NEST MITCHELL WESTHAVEN
Men’s Health IssuesMen’s Health Issues JawJaw--dropping Factsdropping Facts
Laurie’s LarfsLaurie’s Larfs
Does your fitness routine go into hibernation during the colder months? It doesn't have to. There are plenty of ways to stay active and prevent weight gain during winter. When you're busy and tired during the colder months, it's easy to put off exercise till tomorrow. But sticking to a regular fitness routine is vital if you want to stay in shape and take care of your health.
The two biggest challenges associated with exercise during winter are finding a place to train – outdoors, indoors or at home – and finding the motivation to stay active.
There is usually no reason why you can't continue a wide range of activities all year round, provided the weather isn't extreme. It really depends on the type of activity you enjoy.
You just need to:
• Wear suitable clothing. Fabrics that keep
moisture away from your skin will prevent you becoming wet and chilled. Walkers and joggers should wear brightly coloured or reflective clothing to increase visibility.
• Wear a hat. When going out in the cold, it is
advisable to wear a hat. About one-third of your body's heat loss occurs through the head.
• Dress in layers. Wear plenty of light layers so you
can gradually peel them off as you become warm. You should be a little cool starting out. Avoid sweating, as you may become chilled.
• Exercise caution. Beware of slippery surfaces,
and exercise in daylight whenever possible. Anticipate that drivers may not be able to see you or stop quickly. It's also wise to perform a longer warm-up in cold conditions.
• Keep your fluid levels up. Drinking water
regularly is just as important during winter as it is in summer. Cold weather stimulates urine production, and every breath you can see is water droplets being exhaled from your body.
Communicate any concerns with your doctor. Some medical conditions make winter exercise dangerous. Exercising in cold weather can bring on angina (heart-related chest pain), and may trigger asthma in asthmatics. Check first with your doctor if you have any concerns, especially if you are older or have been sedentary for more than two months.
Part 2 ‘INDOOR EXERCISE’ in the MAY issue.
Part 1 - OUTDOOR EXERCISE for the winter months
By Andrew Cate
www.tomnet.org.au
Money can’t buy happiness..
But it does bring you a more pleasant form of
misery. Spike Milligan
Until I was 13, I thought my name was SHUT UP. Joe Namath
I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything until noon.
Then it’s time for my nap. Bob Hope
Don’t worry about avoiding temptation.
As you get older, it will avoid you. Winston Churchill
By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step.
He’s too old to go anywhere. Billy Crystal
The Cardiologist’s Diet: If it tastes
good, spit it out.
After many years of entertaining us with his “Useless Information,” Don has decided to give his column away.
We thank him for the many smiles he gave us when we read his little tit-bits.
• For 186 days you can not see the sun in
the North Pole.
• The planets Mercury, Venus, Mars,
Jupiter and Saturn are visible to the naked
eye.
• If the sun stopped shining suddenly, it
would take eight minutes for people on
earth to be aware of the fact. This is
because the sunlight takes around 8
minutes to reach the earth.
• Approximately 40,000 tons of meteoric dust hits the
earth each year.
• Even on the clearest night, the human eye can only see
about 3,000 stars. There are an estimated
100,000,000,000 in our galaxy alone!
SPONSORS
Postal Address: PO Box 7801 Toowoomba South Qld, 4350 Phone: 07 4638 9080 Fax: 07 4638 9084 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.tomnet.org.au
POST
PP424022/2113
POSTAGE
PAID
AUSTRALIA
TOMNET is very grateful for the generous support and
assistance provided by
BURSTOWS
in the printing of this Newsletter. Northlands Hot Bread
Edition Deadline Distribution Week
May 2013 20 April 2012 7 May 2013
Articles for the March Telegraph must be received by the deadline date.
www.tomnet.org.au