New men’s group that doesn’t just talk about ‘footy and s**t’

By Lydia Pedrana

Anew community group that o ers men a safe space to share and be heard in a confidential environment is coming to Orange.

The Men’s Tables, made up of between eight and 12 members, meet for monthly dinners to connect and discuss the highs and lows of life, ultimately creating a greater sense of belonging and camaraderie.

The concept of The Men’s Table (TMT), which is now a registered not-for-profit organisation, was started by a group of 12 men in Sydney who decided to have dinner with the intention of connecting with other males and chatting about life.

Today, they still meet every month to talk, laugh and share, and have created similar Tables for men all around the country.

Sydneysider Eric Balinghasay has been attending a Men’s Table in West Ryde for almost two years, and after admiring the work of the organisation he began volunteering as a regional host and marketing o cer.

Responsible for building groups in Orange and Dubbo, Mr Balinghasay said the Tables have the potential to have huge impact in regional areas.

“The mission of The Men’s Table is about men supporting men; we want to build healthy men, health masculinities and healthy communities,” he said.

“The Western NSW Local Health District reached out to The Men’s Table requesting if we could consider building local Tables because there are not many community groups for men, and a couple which had emerged in the past years during the bushfires no longer exist.

“With increasing incidences of isolation, there is a need for more community groups like these and we had a very positive response when asked in social media community pages in Dubbo and Orange if they wanted a new community for men locally.”

There are a few house rules, or table manners, expected at the Tables: No Fixing (only giving advice when asked for); you must uphold the concept of The Vault (a man’s story is his to share, nobody else’s); and ‘No talking about footy and s**t’ (as these are conversations you can have easily with others outside the Table setting).

With males accounting for 75 per cent of all suicides in Australia, Mr Balinghasay said these Tables help men realise they are not alone.

“Men are often accused of not talking or expressing what they feel, but based on what we observe in The Men’s Table, men do talk and express what they feel when there is a safe space to share where there is no judgment, fear of reprisal or even ‘fixing’.

“The Men’s Table provides a place where a man can just talk, and other men learn how to listen with care and compassion.”

For him personally, it provides “regularity and consistency in what can be a chaotic, messy life”.

The first step to joining The Men’s Table is to attend an “Entrée, or introductory dinner, to suss out whether it’s something you are interested in.

The Orange Entrée is scheduled for Monday, May 8, 6-9pm at Hotel Canobolas, and there’ll be one in Dubbo on Tuesday, May 9, at 6-9pm at the Milestone Hotel.

To register, visit www.themenstable.org.

For the initiative to be a success, Mr Balinghasay urged the community to spread the word – tell others, especially men, about the Entrees and encourage them to sign up.

“Some men just need some nudging, and those who do sign up, end up thanking the nudgers afterwards!”

& Planetarium

√ 24 hour rescue helicopter service for Orange and region

√ $14 million for highway upgrades between Lithgow and Orange

√ Bat/hail netting funding for local orchardists

√ $1.2 million for CCTV in Orange, Bathurst and Wellington

√ 47 mobile phone towers and base stations across Calare

CONGRATULATIONS 3RD ORANGE SCOUT GROUP!

As a former scout it was great to be supporting 3rd Orange Scout Group at their Annual Review Presentation!

I even got to wear my scout supporters scarf that MPs were presented with at Parliament House recently!

hard to give our young Australians the wonderful opportunity of being involved in the scouting movement!

Well done 3rd Orange Scout Group on a terrific and very busy year!

Thank you to all of our scout leaders and parents who work so

Thank you to all of our scout leaders and parents who work so

P.S - They do a pretty mean snag sizzle as well!

GREAT JOB, JOE!

Recently in Parliament, it was great to catch up with Kinross-Wolaroi student Joe Denman who is one of this year’s ABC Heywire winners!

The competition, for high school students in regional Australia, celebrates stories about growing up in the bush.

Joe’s brilliant piece about finding hope when things get tough is a beautiful bit of writing.

Part of his prize was the chance to jump into an ABC studio to record his story

Hay For Hill End Still Needed

With the cold weather setting in, we are still desperately trying to get hay and feed up to the Hill End area that has been devastated by the recent bushfires.

A big thank you to everyone who has given so generously to date.

How can you help?

If you can spare any feed, please call Penny Hundy on 0417 629 708 who will co-ordinate with local farmers in need. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

If you don’t have feed but would like to donate to help buy some for farmers, this is how you can do it through our local Lions Clubs:

Lions District 201N4 Fire & Flood Account

National Australia Bank BSB 082 811

A/C 130 866 857

Mark it “Hill End Fire” professionally, which has been played all across the country!

Once funds are received, Anne Jones from the Geurie Lions Club will organise the hay.

I caught up with Joe on his week-long visit to Canberra alongside the other very talented winners of the ‘23 Heywire competition from every corner of Australia. Great stuff, Joe!

You can read and listen to Joe’s story here: www.abc.net.au/heywire/heywire-winner2023-joe-central-west-nsw/101670452

CAN YOU HELP?

Geoff and Judy Foreman had their home destroyed in the storm and floods that hit Eugowra in November last year.

While initially given hope by their insurer, that door was cruelly slammed shut on them in circumstances that does great discredit to the insurance industry (and which is being followed up separately).

While the Back Home grant has allowed some work to be carried out, it’s been a hard slog and the house has a long way to go before it’s liveable again.

To get things moving at Geoff and

Judy’s place, they could really use a hand getting a kitchen.

They had one measured up - but the insurer has pulled the pin.

If you are able to help with a kitchen, or you know someone who can, please give Judy a call on 0427 663 331.

Thank you very much to everyone who has given so generously to help Eugowra to date.

It’s vital that no-one gets left behind during this rebuilding and reconstruction process and any assistance with a kitchen would make a real difference and be very much appreciated.

Massive Easter Markets At Molong

Molong was bursting with visitors on Easter Monday as over 100 stalls and food vendors lined Dr Ross Memorial Recreation Ground. And all along Bank Street, shops were open and flowing with market day customers. Popular guests at the market day were two gorgeous miniature donkeys named Sadie and Luna.

Cabonne Community Glow

this Saturday, April 15

Cabonne’s famous balloon challenge is back for another glowing year!

On Saturday, April 15, it’s the signature event of the Canowindra International Balloon Challenge – The Cabonne Community Glow.

Fifteen hot air balloons will inflate just after sunset and light up the sky over the Canowindra Sports Oval, synchronising their lights to a mix of the best music over the last 20 years.

As well as the dazzling hot air balloon spectacle there will be a range of local food and wine on o er at the Cabonne community night markets with entertainment provided by 2022 Golden Guitar winners, Darlinghurst, supported by local talent, Clancy Pye and Plus One. Gates open at 3pm.

Tickets are $10 per adult and $2 for people under 18 (plus booking fee).

Book your ticket now at: www.123tix.com.au/ events/35649/2023-canowindra-balloon-challengecabonne-community-glow

Nerida Cuddy and Bruce Watson in Concert

This Friday, April 14, see Canowindra’s own Nerida Cuddy join forces with renowned folk songwriter Bruce Watson from Melbourne for a fun and engaging concert at Perennialle Plants in Canowindra’s main street.

Described as an Australian folk hero: a wordsmith, a teller of tales, a spinner of yarns who tells with passion and integrity,”Bruce has produced eight albums, played at over 200 music festivals, and received a stack of songwriting awards.

Local singer/songwriter Nerida Cuddy lives and breathes the landscape of Australia in her story-based songs. Nerida is about to start work on her sixth album, as well as preparing for her first tour of the UK in July/Aug.

Bruce and Nerida’s performances will weave together for one really entertaining event, 7.30-10pm on the Friday night of the Canowindra International Balloon Challenge.

Tickets are $20, and while they will be available at the door, it would be preferred if you could order online via Humanitix, where you will also find more details about the concert. events.humanitix.com/songwriters-concert-bruce-watsonand-nerida-cuddy-x3cvhhtn

Coming Events:

April 21

Orange City Bowling Club

Mums Gone Wild

The Victoria Hotel Jam Sampler

Heifer Station Winery Friday Night

Lights | Gabe Music

The Palms, Canowindra

Monthly Twilight Markets

April 22

Orange Ex Services Club AV Trio

April 26

Orange Civic Theatre Hania Rania

April 29

Orange Civic Theatre Becoming Eliza

Orange Function Centre

The Wiggles: Live in Concert

May 6

The Greenhouse

Mumfest Central West 2023

Victoria Hotel 4 on the 4loor

May 13

Orange Show

Saturday April 15

Orange Civic Theatre

The Robertson Brothers 2pm and 8pm

Orange City Bowling Club

Country by the Green from 8pm

Emus Rugby Club

A Day for the Ladies 2pm

Canowindra Sports Oval

Cabonne Community Balloon Glow from 3.30pm

The Greenhouse

Kent Eastwood in the Piano Bar from 6pm

Friday April 14

Tamburlaine Organic Wines, Millthorpe

Neil Gill Live @ Sam’s Bar from 6pm

Perennialle Plants Canowindra

Songwriters concert from 7.30pm

The Greenhouse

Kent Eastwood in the Piano Bar from 6pm

Barrabas on the lawn from 7pm

Sunday April 16

Orange Civic Theatre

Cirque Mother Africa 6pm

The Royal Hotel

JAM Orange Royal Sundays with Nerida Cuddy and Bruce Watson from 2pm

The Greenhouse

Clancy Pye on the lawn from 12pm

Musical bingo from 3pm

Kent Eastwood in the Piano Bar from 6pm

See the Robertson Brothers at the Orange Civic Theatre this Saturday, April 15 at 2pm and 8pm. Tickets at Ticketek or call 63938111.

Becoming Eliza

In 2016, Anna O’Byrne won the role of a lifetime when she was hand-picked by Dame Julie Andrews to play Eliza in the 60th Anniversary production of My Fair Lady, which played at Sydney Opera House. After enchanting audiences across the country, winning rave reviews along the way, Anna won the coveted Helpmann award for her extraordinary performance.

In Becoming Eliza, Anna O’Byrne reflects on her unique experience and shares stories about working intimately with an internationally adored icon, and what it is to share a role, created sixty years apart as well as the lessons she learned from both Dame Julie and Eliza.

This acclaimed concert evening features iconic songs from beloved musicals of stage and screen including ‘Camelot’, ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Victor/Victoria’ and, of course, ‘My Fair Lady’.

See Becoming Eliza at the Orange Civic Theatre on Saturday, April 29. To book your tickets go to Ticketek or call 63938111

Australia’s Kings of Variety Television in Orange this Saturday!

Following their National Tour in 2022, Australia’s ‘Kings of Variety Television’, The Robertson Brothers, are thrilled to be performing their new heart-warming and uplifting 1960s Variety TV Show at the Orange Civic Theatre on Saturday, April 15.

Variety TV Show fans will be excited to know the multitalented Simon Brook McLachlan, from the original Australian cast of Jersey Boys will return in 2023 to thrill us with his very special tributes to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons as well as Neil Sedaka, together with a brand new Variety Show tribute to the much loved 1960s superstar… Sir Cliff Richard.

Another huge bonus this year for the Robertson Brothers 1960s Variety TV Show fans is the addition of Australia’s internationally acclaimed number one Roy Orbison tribute artist… Dean Bourne! Dean will perform his very special Variety Show tribute to the one and only ‘Big O’ and his biggest hits from the 1960s.

Unlike anything you have ever seen before, this 150-minute ground-breaking and interactive theatrical TV experience is filled with all the fun, music and longforgotten memories of the fabulous 1960s. The Variety TV Show audience is taken on a unique and emotional journey back to the best years of their lives.

Orange Theatre Company bringing their rocking rendition of School of Rock to Orange’s stage this May

Based on the hit film, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band!

Featuring 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and all the original songs from the movie, this high-octane smash delivers face-melting guitar riffs and touching romance in equally awesome doses!

See the the Orange Theatre Company’s School of Rock at the Orange Civic Theatre on various dates between Friday, May 12 and Sunday, May 21. Book your tickets at Ticketek or call 63938111.

Orange Farmers Markets At The Northcourt

It was a cold and windy morning, but that didn’t stop the crowds from flocking to the Orange Farmers Markets at the Northcourt on Saturday, April 8, where there was plenty of hot food to warm visitors’ bellies and entertainment from Wickes and Watts to take their minds off the autumn chill.