Learning to unpack gender roles, norms
Picture: Yanni
Yawa to make a splash in July THE Yawa Aquatic Centre at Rosebud will open to the public on Friday 9 July. The later opening came about after Victoria went into its fourth lockdown earlier this month meaning the Friday 25 June opening target was not viable. Construction continued under the restrictions, but access to the centre was limited and put a halt to essential training. Belgravia Leisure was not able to host new staff on site to undertake swim teacher, lifeguard and emergency management training. To be able to open, all staff must be trained, qualified and, importantly, be familiar with the centre. With restrictions easing, Belgravia Leisure is back on site with smaller staff groups completing essential training which is expected to take an extra two weeks. Centre manager Dan Andrews said the window between the end of construction and the opening of the facility was scheduled for critical staff training and qualification activities.
“As restrictions ease, we’ll endeavour to complete all test operations throughout the coming weeks. “I can’t wait to welcome the community into the centre and thank you all for your understanding and patience.” The free community open day event planned for Sunday 4 July is on hold until restrictions have eased further. “It’s bitter-sweet to be in this position,” the mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said. “Coronavirus has again thrown a spanner in the works. While the building is looking fantastic and is ready for use, it’s frustrating that we have to wait another couple of weeks. “I want to thank our community and our new members for their patience and the shire and Belgravia teams for their hard work in getting us to this point. I promise, Yawa will be worth the wait!”It is hoped COVID-19 limits of no more than 50 patrons per venue indoors increase so more people are allowed into the centre. Details: Yawa Aquatic Centre is on Facebook and Instagram, or visit yawa.com.au
TEN men and 15 women are participating in the six-month Modelling Respect and Equality (MoRE) training as part of Mornington Peninsula Communities Creating Change project. The MoRE project aims to support role models who interact with boys and men on a regular basis so they can challenge limiting and harmful stereotypes and promote respect and equality. During a two-day workshop the participants, including teachers, mental health professionals, youth workers, sports coaches and residents, took a deep dive into topics often hidden or neglected in a masculine world. They included unpacking gender roles, norms and practices; understanding the powerful impact of vulnerability and emotional intelligence; understanding and challenging harmful expressions of masculinity; learning how to recognise and respond to various forms of violence; learning and practicing how to deal with resistance and tricky conversations; learning how to use theirs and others’ strengths to build community, and exploring opportunities for dialogue and activities to engage boys and men using the Man Box research. Organisers say the participants will go on to engage in a community of practice and create action plans to bring about positive change on the Mornington Peninsula. A community of practice is a group of people who share a common concern, a set of problems, or an interest in a topic, and who come together to fulfil both individual and group goals. The 25 Modelling Respect and
Equality participants join a sixmonth community of practice to stay connected and be supported by The Men’s Project and each other. This includes an online sharing platform and three 90-minute workshops. During this time, participants develop an action plan to promote gender equality and respectful relationships in the setting or organisation they are representing i.e. sports club, workplace or school. Modelling Respect and Equality is run by The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services with funding for delivery from VicHealth. The Communities Creating Change project is being delivered by the shire and
Family Life. “We were overwhelmed by the number of applicants for this program,” the mayor Cr Despi O’Connor said. “Thank you to everyone who expressed an interest in participating. We have a great group of community members and I can’t wait to see the impact these role models will have.” Those interested in the health and wellbeing of young men and boys in the community should go to mornpen. vic.gov.au/creatingchange and click the ‘follow’ button to receive updates. More workshops will be offered later this year.
Creating positive change: Modelling Respect and Equality participants are learning to unpack gender stereotypes. Picture: Supplied
Safer streets for Dromana When we surveyed the Dromana community about the local traffic in 2018, 77 per cent of all respondents felt vehicles travelled too fast through residential streets and around the town. We listened and are undertaking works to make Dromana’s streets safer. From 14 June – 15 July we’ll be constructing a compact roundabout at the Ligar/Codrington Streets intersection and implementing lower speed limits across many residential streets.
mornpen.vic.gov.au
Southern Peninsula News
30 June 2021
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