By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
THE Men’s Shed might be right for some, but for those who don’t want to build there’s another group in town.
When Spencer Wanklyn from Berwick retired from his career in human resources, he couldn’t just sit around.
Instead he started OM:NI (Older Men New Ideas) Men’s Discussion Groups, for the Casey- Cardinia region.
“Men tend to bottle things up,” Spencer said.
“Women carry their working friendships through to their retirement, but when men leave the workforce some struggle to find meaning and purpose in their life.
“They think the meaning of life is their job, but really there is more to life than work and it takes them a while to relax and learn how to enjoy retirement.”
The groups which involve morning tea and a fair bit of chatter have been running in Casey for nine years, and the Cranbourne group is after some new members.
“The Cranbourne group runs fortnightly, it has been very successful but due to illness we’ve lost a few men,” Spencer said.
Depression is a topic often discussed in the groups and Spencer said debriefing on life before retirement is a great way for men to express themselves.
“I think a lot of them are at a loose end at the start of their retirement and we see all sort of problems.
“Some members will talk about things that they have never spoken about before even when they were in the workforce.”
Due to the group’s extensive reach in Casey Spencer has started one in Pakenham and is hoping to continue to grow the positive ageing message.
To get involved in the OM:NI Men’s Discussion Groups or to join the Pakenham or Cranbourne meets call Spencer Wanklyn on 0407 307 889 or Alison on 0419 337 048.
