It's that time of year when we can be overcome with stress and do things we may regret if we're not careful or look after ourselves. Christmas and New year brings out the best - and worst - in people; making it potentially a great time or one you'd rather forget. Relationships Australia has some great advice on how to survive the season including:
Budget well and plan ahead
Try to work together as a team, rather than aim to be the “Masterchef” yourself
Have realistic expectations of yourself and of others – try not to expect people to be what they are not
Find time to “chill out” – everyday
Don’t try to do it all on Christmas Day - spread your family visits out over a few days
Practice forgiveness – it will make you feel better
Limit your intake of alcohol – behaviour can get out of hand
If you are alone, plan in advance to do something you enjoy or get together with a friend who is also alone
Listen and show respect
Agree to disagree on issues
Say thanks to people that help out.
And finally don’t try to resolve year long hurts or disagreements on Christmas Day – use the next 364 days to sort out relationship issues.
So, take some time to think about how to make Christmas a time of joy and pleasure - one where the important things are remembered and celebrated.
Merry Christmas to all from the Virtual Shed.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Bunnan Blokes' BBQ
The first of our activities for the Virtual Shed kicks off on Sunday 8 November at the Bunnan Hall, Bunnan at 6:30 pm.
We'll be hosting a free BBQ for the men out at Bunnan and surrounds with two guest speakers; Linden Green from Interrelate and John Fowler.
Linden talks about and explores ideas on building community resilience and in particular how men can help keep their local communities thriving - and in so doing, keep themselves thriving. John has been doing work with men's groups and young males and has seen first hand the powerful positive effects of becoming a mentor. John will share some of his experiences on the night.
We'll want to keep it pretty informal so bring along some drinks, enjoy the food and join in on the conversation. We're not about speaking at you but speaking with you - we love to hear your stories and experiences too. What happens in small communities in particular is an education for our speakers as well as the audience.
We had a great turn out last time we were in Bunnan and look forward to seeing you again.
Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting the Scone Neighbourhood Centre on 6545 2562 by close of business November 1.
View Bunnan Blokes' BBQ in a larger map
We'll be hosting a free BBQ for the men out at Bunnan and surrounds with two guest speakers; Linden Green from Interrelate and John Fowler.
Linden talks about and explores ideas on building community resilience and in particular how men can help keep their local communities thriving - and in so doing, keep themselves thriving. John has been doing work with men's groups and young males and has seen first hand the powerful positive effects of becoming a mentor. John will share some of his experiences on the night.
We'll want to keep it pretty informal so bring along some drinks, enjoy the food and join in on the conversation. We're not about speaking at you but speaking with you - we love to hear your stories and experiences too. What happens in small communities in particular is an education for our speakers as well as the audience.
We had a great turn out last time we were in Bunnan and look forward to seeing you again.
Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting the Scone Neighbourhood Centre on 6545 2562 by close of business November 1.
View Bunnan Blokes' BBQ in a larger map
Celebrating Dads with Family Insight
It's great to see other activities happening in the Upper Hunter that celebrate the positive role men have in families and communities. Recently Phil Watts from Family Insight in Muswellbrook organised "The Celebrating Father's Project" which was was designed to acknowledge and empower dads in their family lives.
Through a bicycle maintenance workshop at the Merriwa Mens Shed, dads and families were encouraged to pursue bike riding as a fun and healthy family activity. The workshop attracted twelve people including three dads and their children. Those who came along had a great time tinkering with bikes, learning good tips about maintaining them and just spending time together in a fun, productive afternoon.
Photos taken at this workshop became part of the Celebrating Fathers art exhibition held at the Merriwa School of Arts over the Fathers day weekend.
The art exhibition also included works from the children at the Merriwa pre school and the Merriwa Activity centre, all along the theme of Celebrating Fathers and what their fathers mean to them. The drawings by the kids showed how important their dads are to them.
68 people attended the exhibition over the Fathers day weekend in September 09.
Family Insight would like to thank the funders of the Celebrating Fathers Project: the Scone Neighborhood Resource Centre and the Upper Hunter Shire Council.
For more information about Family Insight visit http://www.familyinsight.org.au/
Through a bicycle maintenance workshop at the Merriwa Mens Shed, dads and families were encouraged to pursue bike riding as a fun and healthy family activity. The workshop attracted twelve people including three dads and their children. Those who came along had a great time tinkering with bikes, learning good tips about maintaining them and just spending time together in a fun, productive afternoon.
Photos taken at this workshop became part of the Celebrating Fathers art exhibition held at the Merriwa School of Arts over the Fathers day weekend.
The art exhibition also included works from the children at the Merriwa pre school and the Merriwa Activity centre, all along the theme of Celebrating Fathers and what their fathers mean to them. The drawings by the kids showed how important their dads are to them.
68 people attended the exhibition over the Fathers day weekend in September 09.
Family Insight would like to thank the funders of the Celebrating Fathers Project: the Scone Neighborhood Resource Centre and the Upper Hunter Shire Council.
For more information about Family Insight visit http://www.familyinsight.org.au/
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
What's Happening?
Well, time for a bit of an update - the Project has a very rough timeline now but we need some ideas for filling in the blanks. Specifically, ideas about who you'd like to hear as a speaker - whether a celebrity speaker or a fascinating local.
If you're involved in community Agencies or networks we're always willing to hear from you if you know anyone who is available to promote your services - especially those that fall into the broad theme of health whether it be mental, physical, relationship or financial help. Spreading the word of who you are and what you do through Virtual Shed functions is an excellent way of getting your message out to people who may not know much about what is on offer.
We're looking at having a mix of activities and functions to the end of the Project including, hands on workshops about mentoring, community building, resilience building and more. In addition to these, we'll be hosting guest speakers with interesting stories to tell, BBQ's and other social gatherings.
So, to make this work better for you, please phone the Scone Neighbourhood Centre on 02 6545 2562 with ideas and suggestions.
If you're involved in community Agencies or networks we're always willing to hear from you if you know anyone who is available to promote your services - especially those that fall into the broad theme of health whether it be mental, physical, relationship or financial help. Spreading the word of who you are and what you do through Virtual Shed functions is an excellent way of getting your message out to people who may not know much about what is on offer.
We're looking at having a mix of activities and functions to the end of the Project including, hands on workshops about mentoring, community building, resilience building and more. In addition to these, we'll be hosting guest speakers with interesting stories to tell, BBQ's and other social gatherings.
So, to make this work better for you, please phone the Scone Neighbourhood Centre on 02 6545 2562 with ideas and suggestions.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Mentoring
One thing that's become apparent in the Mens' Shed movement is the potential for mentoring - not only younger males, but all men who connect with Sheds in every capacity.So, what exactly is mentoring? Mentoring is sharing wisdom, skills and experience with others to help them grow and learn and involves a relationship where both parties learn from each other, trust each other and respect each other. As Issac Newton said, "If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants." - and while you don't need to be a giant to pass on your wisdom and experience, what you can achieve in helping develop another person is gigantic in its effect.
Mentoring can be formal or informal; it can have clear outcomes or it can be simply offering a helping hand. Showing someone how to use an angle grinder or giving them the confidence and skills to just have a chat can be more powerful than you imagine.
Mentoring is often used in business to develop staff or re-energize those who've become jaded. But it's not just confined to the world of business. We all live in a community and need social contact and support whether we acknowledge it or not. Men's Sheds can offer this in a real way to benefit all those involved. Beyond the walls of a shed, mentoring can continue and seep into our everyday lives - it's not much different to the traditional Australian world of "mateship".
During the next twelve months, the Virtual Shed will return to the idea of mentoring and hold some workshops on how mentoring can become a part of our lives to strengthen our communities and ourselves.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Return of the Shed
Well, exciting news! The Scone Neighbourhood Centre has been fortunate enough to be offered funding through the Federal Government's Community Investment Program to continue the project for another twelve months.
For those of you not familiar with the Virtual Shed Project, a bit of background information is in order. This project, which has been successfully operating in the Upper Hunter since August 2007 has its basis in two things - the Men's Shed movement sweeping Australia and the recognition that men, particularly those in rural Australia, can benefit from an opportunity to gather with each other in a safe, welcoming environment where they can share their experiences, stories, skills and wisdom in a supportive way. I guess "bringing back mateship" is the core aim of communal men's sheds and indeed of the Virtual Shed Project.
The Virtual Shed project has organised numerous activites, workshops and functions across the Upper Hunter featuring guest speakers, local identities, General Practitioners and service groups.
Over the next twelve months we will be continuing to offer these opportunities for men to have a night out and forget the day to day grind. But there will be a difference this time around - one outcome we hope to achieve is the establishment of an actual Men's Shed - or at the very least, have processes in place, find community champions, bring business and the corporate sector on board and involve interested men in setting a solid foundation for the creation of at least one (preferably a cluster) of Sheds in the Upper Hunter.
This blog will be used to inform, promote and instruct about the progress of the project, upcoming events, share ideas and offer information of general interest to Upper Hunter Sheddies so feel free to get involved.
For those of you not familiar with the Virtual Shed Project, a bit of background information is in order. This project, which has been successfully operating in the Upper Hunter since August 2007 has its basis in two things - the Men's Shed movement sweeping Australia and the recognition that men, particularly those in rural Australia, can benefit from an opportunity to gather with each other in a safe, welcoming environment where they can share their experiences, stories, skills and wisdom in a supportive way. I guess "bringing back mateship" is the core aim of communal men's sheds and indeed of the Virtual Shed Project.
The Virtual Shed project has organised numerous activites, workshops and functions across the Upper Hunter featuring guest speakers, local identities, General Practitioners and service groups.
Over the next twelve months we will be continuing to offer these opportunities for men to have a night out and forget the day to day grind. But there will be a difference this time around - one outcome we hope to achieve is the establishment of an actual Men's Shed - or at the very least, have processes in place, find community champions, bring business and the corporate sector on board and involve interested men in setting a solid foundation for the creation of at least one (preferably a cluster) of Sheds in the Upper Hunter.
This blog will be used to inform, promote and instruct about the progress of the project, upcoming events, share ideas and offer information of general interest to Upper Hunter Sheddies so feel free to get involved.
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