Received: from beru.its.uow.edu.au ([130.130.68.31]) by anubis.ad.uow.edu.au with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959); Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:36:05 +1100 Received: from febris-nat.its.uow.edu.au ([130.130.68.210] helo=febris.its.uow.edu.au) by beru.its.uow.edu.au with esmtp (Exim 4.69) (envelope-from ) id 1JdCKE-000177-7J for blane@uow.edu.au; Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:36:30 +1100 Received: from c3.confirmedcc.com (c3.confirmedcc.com [64.95.77.164]) by febris.its.uow.edu.au (MOS 3.8.5-GA) with ESMTP id JDZ36535; Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:36:25 +1100 (EST) Received: from p1-ws008 (unknown [10.250.0.101]) by c3.confirmedcc.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id B4F903FE087 for ; Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:09:51 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <1102020607206.1101938345415.1211.8.134183502@scheduler> Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:36:19 -0400 (EDT) From: Fatherhood Foundation Reply-To: info@fathersonline.org To: blane@uow.edu.au Subject: Men & Father's Health Forum Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_Part_10906749_127939303.1206225379973" X-Mailer: Roving Constant Contact 0 (http://www.constantcontact.com) List-Unsubscribe: http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?p=un&v=001jm8CFGIzLJHYg-gJRLc-3d90mBLDU8ykKdPR5ghy3Y1OnAhOhoh9Zg== X-Return-Path-Hint: ESC1102020607206_1101938345415_1211@in.confirmedcc.com X-Roving-ID: 1101938345415.1211 X-Lumos-SenderID: 1101938345415 X-Roving-CampaignId: 1102020607206 X-Roving-StreamId: 0 X-Junkmail-Status: score=10/49, host=febris.its.uow.edu.au X-Junkmail-SD-Raw: score=unknown, refid=str=0001.0A0B020A.47E589EE.0018,ss=1,fgs=0, ip=64.95.77.164, so=2007-07-31 18:51:00, dmn=5.4.3/2008-02-01 Return-Path: ESC1102020607206_1101938345415_1211@in.confirmedcc.com X-OriginalArrivalTime: 22 Mar 2008 22:36:05.0211 (UTC) FILETIME=[1D5E6AB0:01C88C6D] ------=_Part_10906749_127939303.1206225379973 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ 24th March 2008 Inspiring Fathers Encouraging Families Issue 292 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Men & Father's Health Forum ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Dear Brian, Welcome to the Fatherhood Foundation newsletter and email information servi= ce for the fathers and families as we look at Healthy Men and Families In This Issue Frontline...Eliminate long floppy ears Laughter..Ikea Car Grandfathers...Be a Bikie All You Need is Love..Money Marriage Single Dads...National Men's Health Policy Special Feature...The Killing Fields News & Info..Media release, Parents issues Dad's Prayer..Healthy Body,Mind & Soul ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Next Week The Lost Boys ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ [http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=3D1101938345415] Join our Mailing List! [http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=3D11= 01938345415] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Quick Links Fatherhood Foundation Family Law Web Guide [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-TTepl4k85IcxQP= j22TCtiT3_LNB8kAUr0Uuxfu-jw2xkWXnQOOpQgPewkNX7lY6mSqzYl2qr5WVrH7V703KjRXFb8= NolrIRPwd7UecJx8tHUSGHAEOzxl3] National Fatherhood Institute [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-QpUtd= SV24C2P_-QFCwFah_t_mTVq_LnkZ9o3iJbF76jTvN3q8cX2XoHdFihxNJv7PkA-M5GpV0Hi-8jV= HoonFRMayfxlQ94zjS6Ga6kgQT3g=3D=3D] National Marriage Coalition [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-QiaVq9G= pWeI1ILX3Tm_O63ikpFyQ1WBwyhvYsTQALfyCBuAcNJKapxArqpgh46Bb9ObNMqT9EyKf1bx8MD= Qc-kxteOXKYElBPI8g1B1j6fDw=3D=3D] Camp Connect [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-R1tO7gkufgpw47B1bqSp5y= dERFKmrh-lu1vAoSWz2NJqI1kG6IhsBXNP-5C0yjE5TJLntuDg4zHArZ0ohmF0ImEM1Czelk3sv= oysrAWdc8wOZawqxCn4KZ] Men's Katoomba Convention [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-SGe-bQFYM= X5uhk8LRnc9Atf22NF-u9XrcDnqWj5oYLWpfzZzJXQUhv9i4NeTN5F_H1JUk-wAZfIVplaf87S_= 02OyMHXywuCzqUzxZe48GOu1-rEnqhVywS] Fathersafterdivorce.com [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-S9MojdACZe5= Kcy3YXLfw-6R1frzFz4MWAtUp-lPRINR0DxGAcpZnrbcVcI7iIMGKtV9FFASH0CIkf7KQIXzuF0= SAvdiqCF_Vk7Iof-_uRSIEtDo93k7Jus] Steve Biddulph [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-QtbfgtExT26mKHgHzK5d= LCJC2pW_gBKwqmkKE0kv93oooBIGv2uc-f23cBXq3JDg7RVtW__7fQ_RY_zMFzIJNnktnsU9mqX= ROpQOX6VmTe4w=3D=3D] [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-RXbD_IXYfPvv4THoVj7RX8FdhlKl7sj37t1= b98-sJbHjjWGgt4kHQG09nMxKhxjjReI0X1LHiM-rCZpON54YEChwdj54a2VrE2X4-kRQBpoG7a= AK-BaNXvMNtEVTGo7h0=3D] CSA Adverts [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-R8k6w3lQ77CeYYkHmqzPQ5d= nnYdsGhzAY-moLsP_i-wCGSOKV4RMyFICl9CQcNRMZNIo8RZ0Gm30IjjFxS4Y9iq-SF3xtnuG_k= hgm4FnDtSCuxarY-zyhc8btW72GCh51tBuqLjXVRPQ=3D=3D] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Thought of the Week The best way for fathers to get healthy and stay healthy is get closer to your family David Hughes The only Clinical Nurse - Specialising in Men's Health in Australia Byron Bay, NSW ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Frontline Wednesday 19th March 2008 will go down as a milestone event in the men & fa= ther's movement in Australia. This was the day when almost 30 key leaders, represe= nting men's, fatherhood and family groups, academics and health professionals, m= et in Federal Parliament to discuss forward motion on the Labor Party's proposed= National Men's Health Policy. In the lead up to last year's federal election, the Labor Party announced o= n 5th November 2007 that it was going to formulate a National Men's Health Polic= y. This announcement was greeted with acclamation within the men and father's movem= ent of Australia. Many within the men's movement were pleasantly surprised as the = Labor Party has traditionally been very anti-male. No doubt it was this pre-sele= ction announcement, along with 'work choices' that caught the attention of many = men across Australia. The announcement of a National Men's Health Policy certainly con= tributed to the 5% swing, allowing the Labor Party to win government. Men at 49.2% a= re the largest minority group in Australia today, and have been waiting a long tim= e for a National Men's Health Policy. Men are falling behind in the area of health; Indigenous men's health is ev= en further behind. Take for instance the following facts: =B7 Average life expectancy of men is 5 years and 10 months below wome= n (82 years for women and 77 years for men). =B7 The average life expectancy for Indigenous men in Australia is 56 = years of age, 21 years less than other men. =B7 The Australian male mortality rate (the number of deaths from all = causes) is 146% of the female mortality rate. Overall, for every two women that di= e, three men die. =B7 The death rate for men from injury is about 3 times the rate for w= omen as per NSW figures. =B7 Overall indigenous males die at 3.2 times the rate of non-indigeno= us men=20 from injury - this includes motor vehicles, accidents, falls, homicides and= suicides. =B7 Men die from ischemic heart diseases at 1.7 times the rate of wome= n. =B7 Men die from lung cancer at 2.3 times the rate of women. =B7 Men die from chronic lower respiratory diseases at 1.9 times the r= ate of=20 women. =B7 Men die from diabetes at 1.6 times the rate of women. =B7 Indigenous men die at 6.1 times the rate of non-indigenous men fro= m diabetes. =B7 Men commit suicide at 4 times the rate that women commit suicide. =B7 In 2005 1,657 men committed suicide whilst the Australian road tol= l was 1,636. =B7 Divorced men are at least three times as likely to commit suicide = as any=20 other group. =B7 In rural and remote areas the rate of suicide for males aged 15-24= is twice that of similar aged men in capital cities. =B7 Suicide for indigenous men is 70% higher than for non-indigenous m= en. =B7 Rates of homicide for indigenous men are 7 to 8 as compared with o= ther non-indigenous men. =B7 Rates of expenditure on health care, in spite of the poor state of= men's=20 health is 34% higher on women than men. In 1993-94, 13.4 billion dollars wa= s spent on men's health care as opposed to 18 billion dollars on women's health car= e (Mathers, Penm, Carter & Stevensen 1998). =B7 Death rates for men were greater than for women for: colon cancer,= influenza and pneumonia, blood vessel, heart and cerebrovascular diseases. =B7 More men die annually from prostrate cancer than women die of brea= st cancer. In the light of these facts it was important that the men and father's move= ment=20 gathered at Parliament House for such an historic health forum. The crisis = in men's health requires urgent attention. Professor John Macdonald was quoted in several news stories along with Dr E= lizabeth Celi (read the story in today's Special Feature). I did several national ra= dio interviews in the lead up to the forum. One of the interviewers asked me, "How best ca= n men improve their health on a personal basis?" I simply replied, "Exercise mor= e, worry less and become a rabbit and eat lots of vegetables." I could add to that a= s David Hughes, a clinical nurse specializing in men's health, said, "Get closer to= your family." Lovework Eat like a rabbit but don't grow long floppy ears. Seriously, you have to m= ove your body more and eat a vegetable rich diet of unprocessed foods. Remember too - laughter is always the best medicine. Yours for long floppy ears Warwick Marsh PS Can you help us thank the 5 Labor MPs and 6 Coalition MPs and one Family= First Senator who supported the Men & Father's Health Forum, sponsored the room w= e used and attended the forum? Sadly, the new health minister, Nicola Roxon could not find the time to mee= t with us, but we are thankful that she appointed Dr Luke Buckmaster to represent = her. We have listed the parliamentarians to thank in the News & Info section of = this newsletter. The word 'thank you' goes a long way. These wonderful parliamen= tarians often get abused but they rarely get thanked. Send them an email! You will = make=20 their day. ___________________________________________________________________________= ___ Warwick Marsh has been married to Alison for 32 years. He is the grandfath= er of two children and father of five children, four boys and one girl, ranging = in age from 27 years to 15 years. Warwick is a musician, songwriter, producer and= public speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at himself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Laughter IKEA moving into Car Sales this year Only one tool needed ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Grandfathers With this in mind, I bought myself a new scooter. I wanted something that w= as easy on fuel and could zip me to the store and about town. This seems to meet my= EVERY need. I love it! Senior Citizens Are Valuable: We are more valuable than any Of the younger generations: We have silver in our hair. We have gold in our teeth. We have stones in our kidneys. We have lead in our feet and. We are loaded with natural gas. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ All You Need is Love MONEY MARRIAGE TIPS Northwest Herald (Illinois) March 11, 2008 By GENEVA WHITE Tying the knot brings up many questions: Dog or cat? Kids or no kids? City or suburbs? Then there are questions many couples might not be so quick to ask: Joint o= r separate cheque accounts? Retirement plan or pension? Discussing money issues probably isn't your idea of romance and domestic bl= iss.=20 But such talks are as important as picking out those china patterns, financ= ial experts insist. "Two people can have very different money personalities," said Eric Tyson, = a financial counselor and author of the book 'Let's Get Real About Money! Profit from the Habits of the Best Personal Finance Managers.' "Sooner or l= ater, these issues are going to have to manifest themselves." Tyson recommends couples sit down and talk about what their goals and dream= s are in terms of money. One person in the relationship might be more of a saver= , who's been carefully putting away funds for retirement. The other person might no= t be=20 ready to think that far into the future. "Be careful not to attack each other," Tyson said. "If the 'Saver' says, "O= h, you're so irresponsible," obviously that's not going to be productive dialogue." Tyson also suggests keeping a joint cheque account. Separate accounts can c= reate problems such as secrecy, he said. Have a designated amount each spouse ca= n spend, perhaps $100, without needing to consult the other person. "It's generally best to manage things jointly," Tyson said. "A marriage is = a partnership. You're on the same team." Relationship specialist Betty Lou Barsley-Marra said it's important to find= common ground when it comes to finances. A family life educator for the University= of Illinois Extension, Barsley-Marra periodically teaches the class 'How to Avoid Marry= ing a Jerk or Jerkette' in Kane and McHenry counties. "Part of it is discovering how you both feel about being where you are fina= ncially," Barsley-Marra said. "If someone has bad credit and really doesn't see that = as a=20 major issue, and the other person feels very insecure or unsteady about it,= then they're constantly going to fight." But that doesn't mean you should chuck your husband or wife-to-be based on = credit scores. Both parties must be willing to work together to improve the situat= ion.=20 If the spouse with significant amounts of credit card debt refuses to do an= ything about it, that could lead to trouble, Barsley-Marra said. "Part of what makes things difficult for marriage is when there's some leve= l of=20 dissatisfaction in one or both people," She said. "That's when people start= to feel unhappy." Melissa Tosetti said it took three to five years of marriage before she and= her=20 husband were on the same page about finances. The editor and publisher of t= he online magazine Budget Savvy, Tosetti said she tends to be frugal with money. At f= irst, her husband was more excessive in his spending until Tosetti won him over = to what she jokingly calls 'the dark side.' "Now he knows he's got a certain amount of money," said Tosetti, who's base= d in=20 Redwood City, Calif. "He really budgets himself." Couples must learn to be open with each other about money, Tosetti said. Many people find the issue difficult to discuss with their loved ones, no m= atter how close the relationship. "We are so willing to open ourselves up sexually or emotionally," Tosetti s= aid.=20 "But we tend to be embarrassed by our finances." Avoiding major debt and staying on solid financial ground is healthy for a = marriage. But Barsley-Marra said a couple doesn't have to be rich to be happy with ea= ch other. "A lot of money doesn't do it," she said. "It's being satisfied with your s= ituation, whatever it is." MONEY DOS AND DON'TS DO start money talks now in your relationship if you haven't already. It's = never too late to start. DON'T keep your bank account separate from your spouse's. Separate accounts= can=20 lead to secrecy and other problems. DO be aware of your family's financial situation, even if your spouse is ge= nerally the one who manages the money. DO set financial goals with your spouse. See where the two of you can cut s= pending. Do you or your spouse really need that daily latte? DON'T attack your partner when talking about money. Source: Eric Tyson, author of the book 'Let's Get Real About Money! Profit = from=20 the Habits of the Best Personal Finance Managers.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Single Dads I was indeed fortunate to attend the Canberra conference discussing the nex= t steps in bringing about a National Men's (Single men, fathers and boys) Health Po= licy. The conference was well attended, by a range of distinguished and eminentl= y expert men and women in their respective fields of expertise, to discuss the impor= tant=20 and emerging issue of the establishment of a National Men's Health Policy. The Labor party promised this initiative leading up to the election and now= the=20 delivery phase has commenced in earnest. Although not representative of all= the=20 100 plus National groups interested in the issue it was a good starting poi= nt and core to kick off the dissemination of information to the many groups who co= uld not attend and to the parliamentarians who gave up their time from both sides o= f the House and Senate on the day. Sitting alongside such prominent researchers in the field of men's health, = such=20 as Professor John MacDonald from the University of Western Sydney and his e= steemed colleague Mr Michael Woods gave me much to think about during the day and c= ertainly generated excitement as to the prospect of a serious look at setting up a N= ational Men's Health Policy at last. Prof MacDonald was supported by the SPCA in hi= s view that it was important for a new innovative, invigorated, health policy and = not on the same vein as has been seen previously. That men should eat more vegies and not be violent was not about a holistic= health policy. The Australian medical institute has a view to treat them as any ot= her group and the SPCA requires a policy to support all men and boys, supported on re= al evidence based statistics not old hearsay and anecdotal commentaries and stereo type= s. We have previously attended numerous events in Canberra and discussed the p= rospect of a National Men's Health Policy and if you refer to the SURVEY [http://rs= 6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-RihBeGu_gm6-gbMGUigWKMbI2Yd_gT_4AYcBOi_CIu0h7= GkgeDvKXr9QVr6lg_Lh0Rzmp68ACBW7by5knCDzIhifGFaD4jNt16yopgI-0vijVlbGSuvXRatb= 8LGVRKZb6Nz8JBCBgveODh32uMBlFEqyC2c2z5FZI7gxw0F_uIDvxycArWQ2TKrg9yeaZw6xFgR= 6g60qyDHz4vcmmAPSg2Kd5eyx4huWQ6QWNCWpoYyg=3D=3D] one of the surveyed responses was "Pigs will fly first". Perhaps the "pigs"= are=20 taxiing on the runway at last. The Shared Parenting Council of Australia (SPCA) [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e= =3D001sYIomywVp-QZxceFwchOeF6YeOeiL_nMA5C2yeyZEnG6FS-BY5Fu_BMiGoaDreURamuY_= szMhKe4x-pYiDm0lzUwJxQdVZPm_8L1P86crWQ=3D] is well represented and qualified to sit on any panel and assist in the dev= elopment of such policy. We have been intimately involved in the formulation and cra= fting of legislative detail around Family Law and Child Support legislation sinc= e the Council formed. Our view is that Men's Health is not just about the old st= ereo=20 type Cancers and Alcoholism but a much more encompassing and Holistic appro= ach is required to encompass things like Learning to be a Father, Making it easier= for=20 families to stay together and harder to break up, Family Breakdown and Chil= d support, a Presumption of Equal Parenting time on Separation, A fairer and equitable= Child Support system, dealing with the depression and hopelessness that many men = are feeling after being evicted from their homes by draconian State legislation, Violence against men and families should also be a key part of any holistic= approach. Suicide statistics are well under-reported due to the lack of Coronial enqu= ires=20 undertaken and these and many other issues were put on the table to discuss= as part of the bigger picture around mens health. I was impressed by Dr Tim O'Neil who clearly listed, in the detail workshop= , the sort of things we have been wanting to see for some time and are part of o= ur stated direction and charter. The serious issue around male suicide has to be addr= essed as part of the detail to be developed around the policy and the figures st= ated=20 Five Australian men commit suicide each day compared to just one woman by P= rofessor MacDonald show we have along way to go to resolve these catastrophic statis= tics.. The SPCA has been instrumental in assisting in the development of a new Web= Portal that all groups can share and deliver both "Public" and "Private Closed gro= up" discussion, information and policy to the general populous. The Portal has been under d= evelopment for nearly two years with immense support from SPCA affiliate member groups= Family Law Reform Association (FLRA) [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-QUuhl= iC9kL3BKcQjbPT8GmlMT3NkY7kWQN8lpWhdUOuSW9Bs052Q88XZeN86dCWgskjOCWeQh6y5EH3B= cfbwkzAlJktwySdL8qn4Kipg3XYVFSmk5RtrCV] , Self represented Litigants (SPL-Resources) [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001= sYIomywVp-QMwosyjzQORy3XupCLdAIUgqS8sAouSUErhoivG31TK4PhxRr_a13HI3ilJuPFYeg= 6yYAj0RUkGyAIxieF4l2KMRIdpfGxS5KwMLjNUcYYsw=3D=3D] , and Lone Fathers Association (LFAA) [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomyw= Vp-R-4zgtxXfZiVc7Cyl_KLYYehVc2ZQOWoz0X8bd57Lj8PyS6xA1mRPZEhwdjoxsfHApwwznAr= mfQKZpXHToy9ZKQ4FyEKuTQ8oU6D0jqY5eYiWzF-pHkFok] who have provided resources, direction and mentoring along the way. It was pleasing to see that immediately after the conference the news item = on the home page was getting a lot of interesting comment. Dr Elizabeth Celi was s= uch a wonderful down to earth speaker, who spoke genuinely and at times with som= e tears, of her concerns about men's health and is soon to release a book that we wi= ll be quick to get displayed on the Portal site. To participate in the conference discussion please go to the forum topic Su= icide Rates Spark Men's Health Policy [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-RI= 9xAEVr-F5dwfEh3A9NJJJCZ4_GQh69t3JVKz06F3TNLfa4wTXcYT_nONpfXlzG1Mx0zgoiCWW2L= qq8wwATMbtKi6Ww9e4YZnEswPgUhNxiXDLFGjbATY00aNZI7twR7F5y3XqMAfip7xUjDiDWFEKY= BgrB67tl_YpqKEr3Qctq-wcb6A6mYxnMrNkyGjT97Q974k_6cd3CzpEalwyhVhsledvKFViet0l= RqD35Y3Ow=3D=3D] orwww.familylawwebguide.com.au [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-TTep= l4k85IcxQPj22TCtiT3_LNB8kAUr0Uuxfu-jw2xkWXnQOOpQgPewkNX7lY6mSqzYl2qr5WVrH7V= 703KjRXFb8NolrIRPwd7UecJx8tHUSGHAEOzxl3] and click on the news item on the front page. It should be noted that as usual the high degree of organisation from the t= ime we arrived at Parliament House until the time we departed was a credit to Warw= ick and Wanda on the day as it is not easy to arrange so many politicians to atten= d, the catering and rooms, security escorts and the myriad of details needed. The = enthusiasm of the politicians' who gave up there time was noted and the bi partisan su= pport for the development of this policy was clearly unanimous. The Hon Nicola R= oxon=20 MP Minister for Health and Ageing would be well urged to take note of the f= eedback that will be passed through to her department and we look to the next steps= as being core foundation stones in moving the policy to reality. Wayne Butler Executive Secretary Shared parenting Council of Australia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Special Feature Five Aussie blokes kill themselves each day By Kate Corbett March 19, 2008 AAP Five Australian men commit suicide each day compared with just one woman, a= ccording to an academic who says the nation urgently needs a national men's health p= olicy. Health professionals, indigenous leaders and other groups met at Parliament= House in Canberra today to discuss the need for such a policy. Before the November election Health Minister Nicola Roxon announced a Labor= government would develop a men's health policy to complement the women's policy create= d 20=20 years ago. Professor John Macdonald from the Australasian Men's Health Forum said it w= as vital men's health was put on the national agenda. "Five men a day kill themselves in our country, one woman," he said. "Tha= t's atrocious - what's the country doing with that now?" He said it was very old men and those between the ages of 25 and 55 who wer= e killing themselves and there was no national consciousness about it. "If it were five whales a day ... we'd be out there pushing them back into = the sea," he said. "But five males a day, who knows? Who cares? There's something strange happ= ening." Prof Macdonald said there was an incorrect assumption in the community that= men=20 were doing well and did not need any extra help. But, he said, a national men's health policy would bring men's issues to th= e fore and ensure those issues were addressed appropriately. Psychologist and author Elizabeth Celi said it would be simplistic if that = policy just focused on physical problems. "Physical, psychological, social and family health (must be included) when = it comes to a national men's health policy," she said. Dr Celi said simple gender differences on health matters must be recognised= . "There are specific needs that men have with regards to their health. "And it's something that does need to be acknowledged and recognised on a n= ational level so that as leaders of the country we can all be guided forward with t= hat and really have efficient and effective services to meet their needs." Prof Macdonald said the problems fathers face when they are separated from = their children during family break-ups must also be addressed. "There's a lot of evidence that that impacts on the stress on your immune s= ystem, makes you more vulnerable to not just mental but physical diseases," he sai= d. The group will report back to Ms Roxon after the meeting and hopes to creat= e a subcommittee to help create the national men's health policy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ News & Info Media Release - Thursday 20th March 2008. Bipartisan support for men's health policy On March 19th the Fatherhood Foundation convened the Men's and Fathers' Hea= lth Forum at Parliament House, Canberra. Made up of key stakeholders from fatherhood = and men's groups, health professionals and indigenous men, the Forum underscored the = need=20 for a national men's health policy to complement the women's health policy = introduced almost 20 years ago. "Whether we look at life expectancy or illness and death rates, men's healt= h status is inferior to women's," said Greg Andresen from Men's Health Australia. "M= any of the causes of men's poor health are preventable. For example, the leading c= auses of the health burden in young men include anxiety, depression, suicide, in= jury, road traffic accidents, and drug & alcohol abuse. Until now most efforts t= o improve men's health have come from grassroots initiatives across Australi= a. We hope this national policy will co-ordinate these efforts and target resour= ces to those men who need them the most, including indigenous, young, rural and ma= rginalized men." "We were extremely impressed with the bipartisan support shown at the Forum= . A number of MPs from across the political spectrum spoke of their support for the po= licy," said Warwick Marsh from the Fatherhood Foundation. "The Hon. Roger Price, C= hief=20 Government Whip, has played a key role in keeping this policy on the Govern= ment's agenda, and the support from the Federal Opposition through such men's heal= th champions as Senator the Hon. Eric Abetz has been invaluable." The Forum produced a six-point road map outlining the necessary steps neede= d to=20 produce a comprehensive policy focused on men's wellness and not just illne= ss. The road map emphasizes the need to recognize the indigenous male health gap, t= he importance of adequate community consultation, and the need for sufficient funding in = the May Federal Budget to develop and implement the policy. Representatives of the = Health Minister assured delegates that the policy was under active development "The wide variety of health experts and experienced grassroots workers gath= ered=20 here today look forward to the Government developing a policy that avoids b= laming men for their own poor health," said Micheal Woods from the University of W= estern Sydney. "A sensible policy would examine the many social, family and financ= ial demands on men and the often unhealthy working and commuting environments that lead= to many men not living the healthy lives we all deserve." ________________________________________________________ For further information please contact: Warwick Marsh Greg Andresen Fatherhood Foundation Men's Health Australia 02 4272 6677 0418 225 212 0403 813 925 ______________________________________________________________ In The News Teachers Flee Schools as Student attacks rise [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D00= 1sYIomywVp-RUyCF8ElRlny4eyamsWiL03pCPOFX7WyS1HPdfvrIehKzQ7NpyDfsEOTPCHgH4Ff= 82DytoxdoizE5h6M5XeDpmiAYPE0gdteAjEahwSUif6nZEpyXpIzrAJHtlR7QKCw8n2ywofEL-V= 3IOdyuWHP5t5RKcN08Woe8=3D] Parents work longer so kids can buy a home [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sY= IomywVp-QHdVxUgePlfusvZoJsfoVkYyBX1U-DndEtvGQWaJ387EHbyywJ6cHTlLG_Cte6nI-9W= gBJFUwNaguL2eyUIPuEJthlVXNvoufetaalXQ1jgWa_bWjXh9qR4RE0vBarm_G6X9coaord0oNv= GceG4AlRV1B71JfbtuyMw02CPYqZ9FydOfnRt6lnSseZD5IE2NQ=3D] The children of divorced parents to receive help through the Supporting Chi= ldren through Sparation program. Read more: Children to receive help!! [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=3D001sYIomywVp-QYnlefJE= 3H47NPN8aCUNvErzDmoIi2keqBnmAv4hITXLfmTSi9wu1996ACbTF5CsjVOFDkclxF4S9UPsgRY= Ilqk7IKLzrwnyuiJ02vyxACvcvBeW3NlKagZUzSMKhgzb-JMeBK9X8Exj1274uUJBuJeqDlL5RG= RL8-TH2-vE9WhqEa-PySIk5Q] _______________________________________________________________ SAY 'THANK YOU' We have 12 parliamentarians who went out of their way to support the Men an= d Father's Health Forum. These men, and one woman, deserve our commendation and thanks= . Please congratulate them and encourage them by sending them an email or let= ter of thanks. 1) Hon Roger Price MP Labor = Room Sponsor Mt Druit, NSW rogerpricemp@aph.gov.au [mailto:rogerpricemp@aph.gov.au] 2) Senator the Hon Eric Abetz Liberal Room Sponsor Hobart, Tas= mania senator.abetz@aph.gov.au [mailto:senator.abetz@aph.gov.au] 3) Anthony Byrne MP Labor Melbourne, VIC Anthony.Byrne.MP@aph.gov.au [mailto:Anthony.Byrne.MP@aph.gov.au] 4) Senator Steve Fielding Family First Melbourne, VIC senator.fielding@aph.gov.au [mailto:senator.fielding@aph.gov.au] 5) Hon Kevin Andrews Liberal Doncaster, VIC Kevin.Andrews.MP@aph.gov.au [mailto:Kevin.Andrews.MP@aph.gov.au] 6) Senator John Hogg Labor Brisbane, QLD senator.hogg@aph.gov.au [mailto:senator.hogg@aph.gov.au] 7) Senator Guy Barnett Liberal Launceston, TAS senator.barnett@aph.gov.au [mailto:senator.barnett@aph.gov.au] 8) Belinda Neal MP Labor Gosford, NSW Belinda.Neal.MP@aph.gov.au [mailto:Belinda.Neal.MP@aph.gov.au] 9) Hon Tony Abbottt MP Liberal Waringah, NSW Tony.Abbott.MP@aph.gov.au [mailto:Tony.Abbott.MP@aph.gov.au] 10) Hon Robert McClelland Labor Hurstville, NSW R.McClelland.MP@aph.gov.au [mailto:R.McClelland.MP@aph.gov.au] 11) Senator Grant Chapman Labor Adelaide, SA senator.chapman@aph.gov.au [mailto:senator.chapman@aph.gov.au] 12) Senator Gary Humphries Liberal Canberra, ACT senator.humphries@aph.gov.au [mailto:senator.humphries@aph.gov.au] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Dad's Prayer Dear God Thank you for the ability - to move my body to eat the food you provide and stay happy and healthy. Most of all - thank you for my family, because the closer I get to them the healthier I become. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Help Us! The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Prevention Charity. Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been proven to be a source of h= arm.=20 The Fatherhood Foundation helps children by promoting excellence in father= ing.=20 Excellent fathers are in word and deed: responsible, involved, protective, = loving and committed to the well-being of their children and their children's moth= er. If you would like to give financially to the Fatherhood Foundation Public F= und and receive tax deductibility: Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund (Name, address and amount details must be emailed for a receipt for tax ded= uctibility) Westpac Branch Wollongong BSB: 032 695 A/C: 25-5558 Or mail cheque and address details to: PO Box 440 WOLLONGONG NSW 2520 AUSTRALIA The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund is a public fund listed on the Regis= ter of Harm Prevention Charities under Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax Assessm= ent Act 1997. You have received the fathersonline.org newsletter because you have subscri= bed,=20 or you have been subscribed by a friend. If you do not wish to receive fut= ure emails, please click the UNSUBSCRIBE button below. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~~~~~ Forward email http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=3D1101938345415&ea=3Dblane@uow.= edu.au&a=3D1102020607206 This email was sent to blane@uow.edu.au, by info@fathersonline.org Update Profile/Email Address http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=3D001jm8CFGIzLJHYg-gJRLc-3d90mBL= DU8ykKdPR5ghy3Y12c4M6jgvdTRctYy1WDNye7mb2aTXsHGlTU-7MIXFB7Q%3D%3D&p=3Doo Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe(TM) http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=3D001jm8CFGIzLJHYg-gJRLc-3d90mBL= DU8ykKdPR5ghy3Y12c4M6jgvdTRctYy1WDNye7mb2aTXsHGlTU-7MIXFB7Q%3D%3D&p=3Dun Privacy Policy: http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp Email Marketing by Constant Contact(R) www.constantcontact.com Fatherhood Foundation | P.O. Box 542 | Unanderra | NSW | 2526 | Australia ------=_Part_10906749_127939303.1206225379973 Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
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3D"FF
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24th  March 2008 =           In= spiring Fathers   Encouraging Families= Issue 292
=09=09
Men & Father's Health Forum
 
=09=09
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=09=09
Dear Brian,

Welc= ome to the Fatherhood Foundation newsletter and email information service f= or the fathers and families as we look at Healthy Men and Families

=09=09 =09=09 =09=09 =09=09=09 =09=09 =09=09 =09=09=09 =09=09 =09=09=09 =09=09 =09=09=09 =09=09 =09=09=09 =09=09 =09=09=09 =09=09=09 =09=09 =09=09=09 =09=09=09 =09=09 =09=09
In This Issue
Frontline...Eliminate long floppy ears
Laughter..Ikea Car
Grandfathers...Be a Bikie
All You Need is Love..Money Marriage
Single Dads...National Men's Health Policy =09=09
Special Feature...The Killing Fields
News & Info..Media release, Parents issues =09=09
Dad's Prayer..Healthy Body,Mind & Soul
Next Week 
 T= he Lost Boys
 =09=09=09=09 =09=09
 
Join our Mailing List!
 
=09=09
Quick Links<= /strong>
=09
=09=09
T= hought of the Week
      =20
3D"Fat
<= strong>
 

The b= est way for fathers

to get health= y and stay healthy is

get closer to= your family

 = ;

David Hughes

The only Clinical Nur= se -

Specialising in Men's= Health in Australia

Byron Bay, NSW=

=
Frontline
  =20
 
3D"Health
 

Wednesday 19th March 2008 = will go down as a milestone event in the men & father's movement in Austral= ia. This was the day when almost 30 key leaders, representing men's, father= hood and family groups, academics and health professionals, met in Federal = Parliament to discuss forward motion on the Labor Party's proposed National= Men's Health Policy.

 

In the lead up to last year's federal= election, the Labor Party announced on 5th November 2007 that i= t was going to formulate a National Men's Health Policy. This announcement = was greeted with acclamation within the men and father's movement of Austra= lia. Many within the men's movement were pleasantly surprised as the Labor = Party has traditionally been very anti-male. No doubt it was this pre-selec= tion announcement, along with 'work choices' that caught the attention of m= any men across Australia. The announcement of a National Men's Health Polic= y certainly contributed to the 5% swing, allowing the Labor Party to win go= vernment. Men at 49.2% are the largest minority group in Australia today, a= nd have been waiting a long time for a National Men's Health Policy.=

 

Men are falling behind in the area of= health; Indigenous men's health is even further behind. Take for instance = the following facts:

 

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Average life expectancy of men is 5 yea= rs and 10 months below women (82 years for women and 77 years for men).

= =B7    &nbs= p;  The average life expectancy for Indigen= ous men in Australia is 56 years of age, 21 years less than other men.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  The Australian male mortality rate (the= number of deaths from all causes) is 146% of the female mortality rate. Ov= erall, for every two women that die, three men die.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  The death rate for men from injury is a= bout 3 times the rate for women as per NSW figures.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Overall indigenous males die at 3.2 tim= es the rate of non-indigenous men from injury - this includes motor vehicle= s, accidents, falls, homicides and suicides.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Men die from ischemic heart diseases at= 1.7 times the rate of women.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Men die from lung cancer at 2.3 times t= he rate of women.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Men die from chronic lower respiratory = diseases at 1.9 times the rate of women.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Men die from diabetes at 1.6 times the = rate of women.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Indigenous men die at 6.1 times the rat= e of non-indigenous men from diabetes.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Men commit suicide at 4 times the rate = that women commit suicide.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  In 2005 1,657 men committed suicide whi= lst the Australian road toll was 1,636.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Divorced men are at least three times a= s likely to commit suicide as any other group.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  In rural and remote areas the rate of s= uicide for males aged 15-24 is twice that of similar aged men in capital ci= ties.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Suicide for indigenous men is 70% highe= r than for non-indigenous men.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Rates of homicide for indigenous men ar= e 7 to 8 as compared with other non-indigenous men.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Rates of expenditure on health care, in= spite of the poor state of men's health is 34% higher on women than men. I= n 1993-94, 13.4 billion dollars was spent on men's health care as opposed t= o 18 billion dollars on women's health care (Mathers,  Penm, Carter & Stevensen 1998).

= =B7    &nbs= p;  Death rates for men were greater than f= or women for: colon cancer, influenza and pneumonia, blood vessel, heart an= d cerebrovascular diseases.

= =B7    &nbs= p;  More men die annually from prostrate ca= ncer than women die of breast cancer.

 

In the light of these facts it was im= portant that the men and father's movement gathered at Parliament House for= such an historic health forum. The crisis in men's health requires urgent = attention.

 

Professor John Macdonald was quoted i= n several news stories along with Dr Elizabeth Celi (read the story in toda= y's Special Feature). I did several national radio interviews in the lead u= p to the forum. One of the interviewers asked me, "How best can men improve= their health on a personal basis?" I simply replied, "Exercise more, worry= less and become a rabbit and eat lots of vegetables." I could add to that = as David Hughes, a clinical nurse specializing in men's health, said, "Get = closer to your family."

 

= Lovework

 

Eat like a rabbit but don't grow long= floppy ears. Seriously, you have to move your body more and eat a vegetabl= e rich diet of unprocessed foods.

 

Remember too - laughter is always the= best medicine.

 

Yours for long floppy ears

Warwick Marsh

 

PS Can you help us thank the 5 Labor = MPs and 6 Coalition MPs and one Family First Senator who supported the Men = & Father's Health Forum, sponsored the room we used and attended the forum?=

 

Sadly, the new health minister, Nicol= a Roxon could not find the time to meet with us, but we are thankful that s= he appointed Dr Luke Buckmaster to represent her.

 


We have listed the parliamentar= ians to thank in the News & Info section of this newsletter. The word 'than= k you' goes a long way. These wonderful parliamentarians often get abused b= ut they rarely get thanked. Send them an email! You will make their day. 

 

__________________________= ____________________________________________________

 

Warwick Marsh  = ;has been married to Alison for 32 years. He is the grandfather o= f two children and father of five children, four boys and one girl, ranging= in age from 27 years to 15 years.  Warwick is a musician, songwr= iter, producer and public speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at = himself.

=09=09
Laughter<= /font>
=  =20
IKEA moving into Car Sales this year
 
3D"Ikea
 
 

Only one tool needed
 
3D"Ikea

 

<= a name=3D"LETTER.BLOCK12" />
Grandfathers
 =20

 

3D"Wheeels
 
 
With this in mind, I bought myself a new scooter. I wanted something th= at was easy on fuel and could zip me to the store and about town.  This seems to meet my EVERY need.


I love it!

 
3D"Loo
 
 
 
 

Senior Citiz= ens Are Valuable:

We are more valuable than any
Of the you= nger generations:

We have silver in our hair.
We have gold = in our teeth.
We have stones in our kidneys.
We have lead in our = feet and.
We are loaded with natural gas.

All You Need is Love
 
 

MONEY MARRIAGE TIPS

 

Northwest Herald (Il= linois) March 11, 2008 By GENEVA WHITE

 

Tying the knot bring= s up many questions:3D"Marriage

 

Dog or cat?

 

Kids or no kids?

 

City or suburbs?

 

Then there are quest= ions many couples might not be so quick to ask: Joint or separate cheque ac= counts? Retirement plan or pension?

 

Discussing money iss= ues probably isn't your idea of romance and domestic bliss. But such talks = are as important as picking out those china patterns, financial experts ins= ist.

 

"Two people can have= very different money personalities," said Eric Tyson, a financial counselo= r and author of the book 'Let's Get Real About Money!

Profit from the Habi= ts of the Best Personal Finance Managers.' "Sooner or later, these issues a= re going to have to manifest themselves."

 

Tyson recommends cou= ples sit down and talk about what their goals and dreams are in terms of mo= ney. One person in the relationship might be more of a saver, who's been ca= refully putting away funds for retirement. The other person might not be re= ady to think that far into the future.

 

"Be careful not to a= ttack each other," Tyson said. "If the 'Saver' says, "Oh, you're so irrespo= nsible," obviously that's not going to be productive dialogue."

 

Tyson also suggests = keeping a joint cheque account. Separate accounts can create problems such = as secrecy, he said. Have a designated amount each spouse can spend, perhap= s $100, without needing to consult the other person.

 

"It's generally best= to manage things jointly," Tyson said. "A marriage is a partnership. You'r= e on the same team."

 

Relationship special= ist Betty Lou Barsley-Marra said it's important to find common ground when = it comes to finances. A family life educator for the University of Illinois= Extension, Barsley-Marra  pe= riodically teaches the class 'How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk or Jerkette' in = Kane and McHenry counties.

 

"Part of it is disco= vering how you both feel about being where you are financially," Barsley-Ma= rra said. "If someone has bad credit and really doesn't see that as a major= issue, and the other person feels very insecure or unsteady about it, then= they're constantly going to fight."

 

But that doesn't mea= n you should chuck your husband or wife-to-be based on credit scores. Both = parties must be willing to work together to improve the situation. If the s= pouse with significant amounts of credit card debt refuses to do anything a= bout it, that could lead to trouble, Barsley-Marra said.

 

"Part of what makes = things difficult for marriage is when there's some level of dissatisfaction= in one or both people," She said. "That's when people start to feel unhapp= y."

 

Melissa Tosetti said= it took three to five years of marriage before she and her husband were on= the same page about finances. The editor and publisher of the online magaz= ine Budget Savvy, Tosetti said she tends to be frugal with money. At first,= her husband was more excessive in his spending until Tosetti won him over = to what she jokingly calls 'the dark side.'

 

"Now he knows he's g= ot a certain amount of money," said Tosetti, who's based in Redwood City, C= alif. "He really budgets himself."

 

Couples must learn t= o be open with each other about money, Tosetti said.

Many people find the= issue difficult to discuss with their loved ones, no matter how close the = relationship.

 

"We are so willing t= o open ourselves up sexually or emotionally," Tosetti said. "But we tend to= be embarrassed by our finances."

 

Avoiding major debt = and staying on solid financial ground is healthy for a marriage. But Barsle= y-Marra said a couple doesn't have to be rich to be happy with each other.<= /font>

 

"A lot of money does= n't do it," she said. "It's being satisfied with your situation, whatever i= t is."

 

MONEY DOS AND DON'TS

 

DO start money talks= now in your relationship if you haven't already. It's never too late to st= art.

 

DON'T keep your bank= account separate from your spouse's. Separate accounts can lead to secrecy= and other problems.

 

DO be aware of your = family's financial situation, even if your spouse is generally the one who = manages the money.

 

DO set financial goa= ls with your spouse. See where the two of you can cut spending. Do you or y= our spouse really need that daily latte?

 

DON'T attack your pa= rtner when talking about money.

 

= Source: Eric Tyson, author of the book 'Let's Get R= eal About Money! Profit from the Habits of the Best Personal Finance Manage= rs.'

=09=09 =09=09
Single Dads
 

3D"Wayne

I was indeed fortunate to attend the Canberra conference discussin= g the next steps in bringing about a National Men's (Single men, fathers an= d boys) Health Policy. The conference was well attended, by a range of dist= inguished and eminently expert men and women in their respective fields of = expertise, to discuss the important and emerging issue of the establishment= of a National Men's Health Policy.

The Labor party promised this initiative leading up to the electio= n and now the delivery phase has commenced in earnest. Although not represe= ntative of all the 100 plus National groups interested in the issue = it was a good starting point and core to kick off the dissemination of info= rmation to the many groups who could not attend and to the parliamentarians= who gave up their time from both sides of the House and Senate on the day.=

Sitting alongside such prominent researchers in the field of men's= health, such as Professor John MacDonald from the University of Western Sy= dney and his esteemed colleague Mr Michael Woods gave me much to think abou= t during the day and certainly generated excitement as to the prospect of a= serious look at setting up a National Men's Health Policy at last. Prof Ma= cDonald was supported by the SPCA in his view that it was important for a n= ew innovative, invigorated, health policy and not on the same vein as has b= een seen previously.

That men should eat more vegies and not be violent was not about a= holistic health policy. The Australian medical institute has a view to tre= at them as any other group and the SPCA requires a policy to support all me= n and boys, supported on real evidence based statistics not old hearsay and= anecdotal commentaries and stereo types.

We have previously attended numerous events in Canberra and discus= sed the prospect of a National Men's Health Policy and if you refer to the&= nbsp; SURVEY<= /a> one of the surveyed responses was "Pigs will fly first". P= erhaps the "pigs" are taxiing on the runway at last.   

The Shared Parenting Council of Australia  (SPCA) is well represented and qualified to sit on any panel and as= sist in the development of such policy. We have been intimately involved in= the formulation and crafting of legislative detail around Family Law and C= hild Support legislation since the Council formed. Our view is that Men's H= ealth is not just about the old stereo type Cancers and Alcoholism but a mu= ch more encompassing and Holistic approach is required to encompass things = like Learning to be a Father, Making it easier for families to stay togethe= r and harder to break up, Family Breakdown and Child support, a Presumption= of Equal Parenting time on Separation, A fairer and equitable Child Suppor= t system, dealing with the depression and hopelessness that many men are fe= eling after being evicted from their homes by draconian State legislation, =

Violence against men and families should also be a key part of any= holistic approach. Suicide statistics are well under-reported due to the l= ack of Coronial enquires undertaken and these and many other issues were pu= t on the table to discuss as part of the bigger picture around mens health.=

I was impressed by Dr Tim O'Neil who clearly listed, in the detail= workshop, the sort of things we have been wanting to see for some time and= are part of our stated direction and charter. The serious issue around mal= e suicide has to be addressed as part of the detail to be developed around = the policy and the figures stated Five Australian men commit suicide each d= ay compared to just one woman by Professor MacDonald show we have along way= to go to resolve these catastrophic statistics..

The SPCA has been instrumental in assisting in the development of = a new Web Portal that all groups can share and deliver both "Public" and "P= rivate Closed group" discussion, information and policy to the general popu= lous. The Portal has been under development for nearly two years with immen= se support from SPCA affiliate member groups Family Law Reform Association = (FLRA) , Self represented Litigants  <= font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">(= SPL-Resources) , and Lone Fathers Association (LFAA) wh= o have provided resources, direction and mentoring along the way.

It was pleasing to see that immediately after the conference the n= ews item on the home page was getting a lot of interesting comment. Dr Eliz= abeth Celi was such a wonderful down to earth speaker, who spoke genuinely = and at times with some tears, of her concerns about men's health and is soo= n to release a book that we will be quick to get displayed on the Portal si= te.

To participate in the conference discussion please go to the forum= topic Suicide Rates Spark Men's Health Policy o= r www.familylawwebguide= .com.au and click on the news item on the front page.


It should be noted that as usual the high degree of organi= sation from the time we arrived at Parliament House until the time we depar= ted was a credit to Warwick and Wanda on the day as it is not easy  to= arrange so many politicians to attend, the catering and rooms, security es= corts and the myriad of details needed. The enthusiasm of the politicians' = who gave up there time was noted and the bi partisan support for the develo= pment of this policy was clearly unanimous. The Hon Nicola Roxon MP = Minister for Health and Ageing would be well urged to take note of the feed= back that will be passed through to her department and we look to the next = steps as being core foundation stones in moving the policy to reality.

Wayne Butler
Executive Secretary <= br />Shared parenting Council of Australia

<= /font>
Special Feature
 
 =20

= Five Aussie blokes kill them= selves each day3D"Man

 

By Kate Corbett

March 19, 2008  AAP

 

Five Australian men commit suicide e= ach day compared with just one woman, according to an academic who says the= nation urgently needs a national men's health policy.

 

Health professionals, indigenous lea= ders and other groups met at Parliament House in Canberra today to discuss = the need for such a policy.

 

Before the November election Health = Minister Nicola Roxon announced a Labor government would develop a men's he= alth policy to complement the women's policy created 20 years ago. <= /span>

 

Professor John Macdonald from the Au= stralasian Men's Health Forum said it was vital men's health was put on the= national agenda.

 

"Five men a day kill themselves in o= ur country, one woman," he said.   "That's atrocious - what's the= country doing with that now?"

 

He said it was very old men and thos= e between the ages of 25 and 55 who were killing themselves and there was n= o national consciousness about it.

 

"If it were five whales a day ... we= 'd be out there pushing them back into the sea," he said.

 

"But five males a day, who knows? Wh= o cares? There's something strange happening."

 

Prof Macdonald said there was an inc= orrect assumption in the community that men were doing well and did not nee= d any extra help.

 

But, he said, a national men's healt= h policy would bring men's issues to the fore and ensure those issues were = addressed appropriately.

 

Psychologist and author Elizabeth Ce= li said it would be simplistic if that policy just focused on physical prob= lems.

 

"Physical, psychological, social and= family health (must be included) when it comes to a national men's health = policy," she said.

 

Dr Celi said simple gender differenc= es on health matters must be recognised. "There are specific needs that men= have with regards to their health.

 

"And it's something that does need t= o be acknowledged and recognised on a national level so that as leaders of = the country we can all be guided forward with that and really have efficien= t and effective services to meet their needs."

 

Prof Macdonald said the problems fat= hers face when they are separated from their children during family break-u= ps must also be addressed.

 

"There's a lot of evidence that that= impacts on the stress on your immune system, makes you more vulnerable to = not just mental but physical diseases," he said.

 

The group will report back to Ms Rox= on after the meeting and hopes to create a subcommittee to help create the = national men's health policy.

 

<= a name=3D"LETTER.BLOCK16" />
News & Info
 
3D"Fatherhood

Media Release - Thursday 20th= March 2008.

Bipartisan support for men's health policy

= On March 19th the Fatherhood Foundation convened the Men's and Fathers' Hea= lth Forum a= t Parliament House, Canberra. Made up of key stakeholders from fatherhood a= nd men's gr= oups, health professionals and indigenous men, the Forum underscored the need for a na= tional men's health policy to complement the women's health policy <= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">introduced almost 2= 0 years ago.

= "Whether we look at life expectancy or illness and death rates, men's healt= h status is inferior to women's," said Greg Andresen from Men's Health Australia. "Man= y of the ca= uses of men's poor health are preventable. For example, the leading causes = of the heal= th burden in young men include anxiety, depression, suicide, injury, road t= raffic acci= dents, and drug & alcohol abuse. Until now most efforts to improve men's he= alth have c= ome from grassroots initiatives across Australia. We hope this national pol= icy will co= -ordinate these efforts and target resources to those men who need them the= most, incl= uding indigenous, young, rural and marginalized men."

= "We were extremely impressed with the bipartisan support shown at the Forum= . A number = of MPs from across the political spectrum spoke of their support for the po= licy," said= Warwick Marsh from the Fatherhood Foundation. "The Hon. Roger Price, Chief=  Gover= nment Whip, has played a key role in keeping this policy on the Government'= s agenda, a= nd the support from the Federal Opposition through such men's health champions as Sena= tor the Hon. Eric Abetz has been invaluable."

= The Forum produced a six-point road map outlining the necessary steps neede= d to produc= e a comprehensive policy focused on men's wellness and not just illness. Th= e road map = emphasizes the need to recognize the indigenous male health gap, the import= ance of ade= quate community consultation, and the need for sufficient funding in the Ma= y Federal B= udget to develop and implement the policy. Representatives of the Health Minister assu= red delegates that the policy was under active development

= "The wide variety of health experts and experienced grassroots workers gath= ered here t= oday look forward to the Government developing a policy that avoids blaming= men for th= eir own poor health," said Micheal Woods from the University of Western Syd= ney. "A sen= sible policy would examine the many social, family and financial demands on= men and th= e often unhealthy working and commuting environments that lead to many men = not living = the healthy lives we all deserve."

= ________________________________________________________

= For further information please contact:

= Warwick Marsh          &n= bsp;            = ;    Greg Andresen

= Fatherhood Foundation         =        Men's Health Australia

= 02 4272 6677   0418 225 212        0403 8= 13 925

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= SAY 'THANK YOU'3D"Mens=

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">We have 12 parliame= ntarians who went out of their way to support the Men and Father's Health F= orum. These men, and one woman, deserve our commendation and thanks.=

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Please congratulate= them and encourage them by sending them an email or letter of thanks.


 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">1) Hon Roger Price = MP      &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; Labor     = ; Room Sponsor  &nbs= p; Mt Druit, NSW

<= a href=3D"mailto:rogerpricemp@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">rogerpricemp@aph.gov.au

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">2) Senator the Hon = Eric Abetz     &n= bsp;    Liberal = ;    Room Sponsor<= a href=3D"mailto:senator.abetz@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">senator.abetz@aph.gov.au<= /a>

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">3) Anthony Byrne MP=        =             &nb= sp;  Labor  &nb= sp;        Melbourne, VIC<= /span>

<= a href=3D"mailto:Anthony.Byrne.MP@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">Anthony.Byrne.MP@aph.gov.au<= /font>

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">4) Senator Steve Fi= elding      =           Family First<= span style=3D"mso-tab-count: 4">    Melbourne, VIC

<= a href=3D"mailto:senator.fielding@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">senator.fielding@aph.gov.au<= /font>

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">5) Hon Kevin Andrew= s       = ;            &n= bsp; Liberal    = ;       Doncaster, VIC

<= a href=3D"mailto:Kevin.Andrews.MP@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">Kevin.Andrews.MP@aph.gov.au<= /font>

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">6) Senator John Hog= g       = ;            &n= bsp; Labor   &n= bsp;        Brisbane, QLD

<= a href=3D"mailto:senator.hogg@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">senator.hogg@aph.gov.au

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">7) Senator Guy Barn= ett      &nb= sp;            = Liberal    &nbs= p;      Launceston, TAS

<= a href=3D"mailto:senator.barnett@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">senator.barnett@aph.gov.au

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">8) Belinda Neal MP<= span style=3D"mso-tab-count: 3">       &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;      Labor           Gosford, = NSW

<= a href=3D"mailto:Belinda.Neal.MP@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">Belinda.Neal.MP@aph.gov.au

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">9) Hon Tony Abbottt= MP      &nb= sp;           Libe= ral      &nb= sp;   Waringah, NSW

<= a href=3D"mailto:Tony.Abbott.MP@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">Tony.Abbott.MP@aph.gov.au

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">10) Hon Robert McCl= elland      =           Labor         &nbs= p; Hurstville, NSW

<= a href=3D"mailto:R.McClelland.MP@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">R.McClelland.MP@aph.gov.au        &nb= sp;            =

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">11) Senator Grant C= hapman      =         Labor           <= /span>Adelaide, SA

<= a href=3D"mailto:senator.chapman@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">senator.chapman@aph.gov.au

 

<= font face=3D"Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">12) Senator Gary Hu= mphries      = ;        Liberal         Can= berra, ACT

<= a href=3D"mailto:senator.humphries@aph.gov.au" target=3D"_blank">senator.humphries@aph.gov.au=  <= span style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1">       &= nbsp;

D= ad's Prayer
  &= nbsp;      =20

3D"Moving

 

Dear God

 

Thank you for the ability -

to move my body

to eat the food you provide

and stay happy and healthy.

Most of all -

thank you for my family,

because the closer I get to them

the healthier I become.

      <= /font>

<= /td> =09
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Help Us!

The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Pre= vention Charity.
Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been pro= ven to be a source of harm. The Fatherhood Foundation helps children b= y promoting excellence  in fathering. Excellent fathers are in word an= d deed: responsible, involved, protective, loving and committed to the well= -being of their children and their children's mother.

 

If you would like to give financially t= o the Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund and receive tax deductibility:

 

Fatherhood Foundation Public Fu= nd
(Name, address and amount details must be emailed for a r= eceipt for tax deductibility)
Westpac Branch Wollongong
BSB: 032 = 695
A/C: 25-5558

 

Or mail cheque and address details to:<= br />PO Box 440
WOLLONGONG  NSW&nb= sp; 2520
AUSTRALIA

 

The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund&n= bsp; is a public fund listed on the Register of Harm Prevention Charities u= nder Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.=

 

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3D"Safe
This email was sent to blane@uow.edu.au, by i= nfo@fathersonline.org
Fatherhood Foundati= on | P.O. Box 542 | Unanderra | NSW | 2526 | Australia
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