WHEN Aaron Fowkes’ wife first showed him the print out, the first words that jumped out on the page were “mental health”. He winced.
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Fowkes thought, well, if his wife had gone to the effort to research Western Bulldogs’ Sons of the West program and print out information for him, the least he could do was try one session.
That was more than a year ago and Fowkes has not missed a session since, including the pre-season.
He had quickly realised the mental health aspects in the program was all part of the bigger picture in the men’s health movement.
“There’s a lot about mateship. I’ve been getting so many new friends and getting out and getting active,” Fowkes said.
“I was so the opposite. Now, if I miss a golf session I have guys ringing me to see where I am and if I’m all right.”
Fowkes had moved to Ballarat from Darwin to help look after his dad. Since his dad died, Fowkes’ wife noticed he was not going out fishing or socialising much. She was worried.
He said Sons of the West had dramatically changed his life. His fellow club mates had noticed the same thing in their own way.
Weekly sessions start with a one-hour health presentation that varied each week from mental health organisation beyondblue to a visit from a urologist, talking how to “give prostate cancer the finger” courtesy of the EJ Whitten Foundation. There were also cooking classes.
This was followed with exercise tailored to your own level. Fowkes said being more active, more often, had helped him lose a lot of weight and, importantly, improve fitness.
But it was also the informal aspects Fowkes really valued.
Wendouree and Sebastopol participants fast kept up regular catch-ups in the off-season for a round of golf, a walk or gym session.
A major supermarket chain in Ballarat offered all barbecue supplies for free, when learning some of the men were going on a fishing trip together.
“The community obviously notices and is really supportive,” Fowkes said.
The Bulldogs have extended the men’s health program premiership season into Smythesdale and Maryborough this year, building on successful inaugural programs in Ballarat last year. Ballan participants are bused into Wendouree.
Programs also run across the western suburbs.
There are excursions to Bulldogs’ AFL games and larger golf days with Bulldogs’ identities, like Doug Hawkins.
To sign up, or for more details on the free program, pop into Western Bulldogs’ Mair Street kennel or contact Andrew Milligan at SportsCentral on 5331 6966.
