FOR too long, Kym O’Loughlin had time on his hands. He was off work with a knee injury, feeling down and unmotivated.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The difference for me was enormous. I had buried my head in the sand for a long time.
- Sons of the West advocate Kym O'Loughlin
A year later, Kym has been travelling from his home in Werribee to meet with men’s sheds in Ballan, Daylesford and Ballarat encouraging men to talk about their health – physically and mentally.
He works with Western Bulldogs’ Sons of the West community men’s health program, which will launch programs in Sebastopol and Wendouree next month.
Kym is a graduate of the Wyndham program, having been coerced along by a work mate.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I pretty much keep to myself, most blokes do, but there were other blokes telling their stories,” Kym said. “A lot of blokes go for food and fitness education. My reason was more to get out, get some interaction, it was for my mental health.”
Sessions in the 10-week program include physical activity and educational components, ranging from cooking classes to interactive health presentations. The program is free to men aged 18 and over living or working in the western suburbs and Ballarat.
This adds to the Bulldogs’ active community development in the region, including the Whitten Project for young leaders which launched in Ballarat earlier this month and primary school literacy program Bulldogs Read.
The Bulldogs made clear their partnership with the City of Ballarat was about more than bringing AFL premiership season games to Eureka Stadium, the club wanted to develop its western corridor and community.
A key part of this is community health.
Sons of the West aims to help men in Bulldogs’ territory live better, eat better and “get back in the game of life”. More than 19 per cent of men in the Central Highlands region are obese, according to the Bulldogs.
Kym O’Loughlin said the health workshops and fitness games were interesting and fun but for him, Sons of the West taught him how to look after himself, especially mentally.
“The difference for me was enormous. I had my head buried in the sand for a long time,” Kym said. “I spoke for Sons of the West and a couple of men’s sheds in Ballarat and there was no way I would’ve done that 12 months ago. It’s got me motivated.”
Sons of the West will run at Ballarat South Community Hub in Sebastopol on Monday night from June 6 and Yuille Park Community College in Violet Grove, Wendouree on Tuesday nights from June 7. Details: sonsofthewest.org.au
