Gathering Men - On Country - Autumn 2023

Gathering Men – On Country – Autumn 2023

RE-IMAGINING HEALTHY MASCULINITY

Gathering Men, On Country, begins on a Friday afternoon running through until Sunday late afternoon. 2 nights & 3 days. Enabling us to slow right down, connect & travel deep together.

Together, we’re reimagining what it takes to be a healthy man. Together, we’re challenging the stereotypes around men’s mental health & masculinity. Redefining how emotionally balanced men truly connect. Now’s our time. We warmly welcome all who identify as men, 21 years of age & over, from all walks of life & persuasions to this gathering. We encourage diversity & inclusiveness in all its precious forms.

Join us On-Country this Autumn. At each Gathering, the team witness & hold space for strong, brave, courageous, heart-centred men. Men who are trusting their flow. We have so loved having you all here, journeying deeply with us. This recharged connectedness has rippled out gently through these men to their partners, children, families, loved ones, friends, colleagues & communities.
This Gathering begins on a Friday afternoon running through until Monday afternoon. 3 nights & 4 days. Enabling us plenty of time to slow right down, connect & travel deeply together. Late arrivals &/or early departures work against the natural flow of the gathering. All men wishing to join us must be available for the entire duration of the gathering. If this is genuinely not possible for you, please discuss it with Andrew or Brett well before the event.
CONNECTION
Our core theme is always Connection.
  • Connection to ourselves as individual men.
  • Connection to one another in a circle of men.
  • Connection to Mother Earth & the beautiful Djaara – Dja-Dja Wurrung Country on which we meet.
  • Connection to & respect for Djaara First Nations Peoples Country, Culture, Lore & wisdom.
  • Connection to the people & communities we love most in our lives

Gathering Men is all about personal accountability, authenticity, vulnerability & brotherhood. What we have crafted together is a rare opportunity to spend quality time amongst good men. Away from the demands of everyday life. Providing us all with the space to slow right down. The time to breathe all the way in. And to slowly let it out. To tread a little lighter with ourselves & explore a lot deeper too.

Together, we move out of our heads & back into our hearts. Creating a simple, safe place to share our stories. A space to listen and learn from one another. A place to explore what is really going on for us:
  • How am I honestly feeling right now?
  • What do I love about my life? What is actually serving me that I might nurture & grow?
  • What is getting in the way of me and causing disconnection & dis-ease?
  • What might I need to set free?
FIRST NATIONS WISDOM
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we gather on. Sacred Djaara – Dja-Dja-Wurrung Country. Always was, and always will be. On this land, the Djaara people performed age-old ceremonies of celebration, initiation & renewal. We honour their living culture & a deep connection to the Country. Our deep respect for elders past, present & emerging.

We honour ‘Djandak’ (Country) the sacred land itself & all the ancient Stories & Songlines that live here. We honour ‘Murrup’ (Spirit) alive & well in the water, the birds, plants, animals, earth & rocks.

We honour ‘Martinga Kulinga Murrup’ (Ancestral Spirits) & the sacred places that surround & hold us safely. Lalgambook (Mt. Franklin), Larni Barramul (plains of the emu), Larni Barramal Yaluk (local creek), Leanganook (Mt Alexander), Tarrangower (Maldon) & Kooroocheang (Smeaton Hill).

We feel so blessed to be journeying this path with the support of our First Nations Uncles, Aunties, Brothers & Sisters. Special thanks to Djaara – Dja-Dja-Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson, Gunditjmara / Djabwurrung / Bundidj / Kooray Kooray Elder Uncle Ted Egan Lovett & Gunditjmara, (Keerraay Woorroong / Peek Woorroong) man Will Austin.

We also involve other First Nations special guests wherever possible. Understandably, in these times it is not guaranteed that our Elders are always available for our gatherings. Their presence with us in the circle is a deep privilege, not a given. We do all that we can to have them safely alongside us. We always pay the rent – acknowledging their time & energy.

We feel so blessed to be journeying this path with the support & guidance of our First Nations Uncles, Aunties, Brothers & Sisters. Special thanks to Djaara – Dja-Dja-Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson, Gunditjmara / Djabwurrung / Bundidj / Kooray Kooray Elder Uncle Ted Egan Lovett & Gunditjmara, (Keerraay Woorroong / Peek Woorroong) man Will Austin. We also involve other First Nations special guests wherever possible.

Understandably, in these times it is not guaranteed that our Elders are always available for our gatherings.

Their presence with us in the circle is a deep privilege – not a given. We do all that we can to have them safely alongside us. We always pay the rent – acknowledging their time & energy.

TICKETS / LIMITED NUMBERS
This gathering, we invite 16 men to circle. Your investment secures your place at our gathering. It honours some of our time & energy spent creating, crafting, catering (9 meals) & delivering the gathering itself. It acknowledges the Djaara Country on which we meet & the energy that our First Nations Brothers & Uncles bring to this space when in attendance. It also contributes towards the ongoing development of our programs. Your attendance is confirmed once your ticket is purchased. Experience tells us that less is often more. Our gatherings are small, safe, focused & intimate. Spaces are limited. Tickets are now on sale. First in best dressed. This gathering proceeds regardless of the final numbers.
Note: Please resist the temptation to purchase tickets for another man. Whilst we understand the intention, it is important that all men attending have made the decision themselves to attend. When a man buys a ticket for a mate without his express agreement, that energetic opportunity may be lost in the transaction. The result might be a man arriving at a gathering who is neither invested nor ready to do his work at this time. Attending a gathering is a big decision. Each man must decide when he is ready.

Late arrivals &/or early departures work against the natural flow of the gathering.

All men wishing to join us should be available for the entire duration of the gathering. If this is genuinely not possible for you, please discuss it with Andrew or Brett prior to the event.

Together, we move out of our heads & back into our hearts. Creating a simple, safe place to share our stories. A space to listen and learn deeply from one another.

VALUE / LIMITED NUMBERS

At this gathering, we are inviting men to invest in themselves, the gathering itself & the land upon which we meet. Your investment secures your place at our gathering. It honours some of our time & energy spent creating, crafting, catering (6 meals) & delivering the gathering. It acknowledges the energy that our First Nations Brothers & Uncles bring to this space when in attendance. It also contributes to the development of our programs. Your attendance is confirmed once your ticket is purchased.
Experience tells us that less is often more. We like to keep our gatherings safe, focused & intimate. Spaces are strictly limited.

The event will proceed regardless of the final numbers. Your attendance is locked in once you have purchased your ticket. See below.

TICKETS

Limited tickets are now released & on sale for Gathering Men • On-Country • Spring 2022. First in best dressed. As at previous gatherings, we will, at our discretion, offer a discounted rate for up to 2 men wishing to attend who are experiencing genuine financial difficulty. These tickets are made possible by men at previous gatherings who have chosen to pledge & pay forward a donation in kind. All pledges & donations towards our work are gratefully accepted.

CANCELLATIONS / REFUNDS

Cancellations more than 7 days out from the gathering: 50% of the full fee paid is forfeited with the balance refunded. 100% of the fee paid is transferable for use at another Gathering Men Men’s Gathering.

Cancellations less than 7 days out from the gathering: 50% of the full fee paid is forfeited with the balance refunded. 50% of the fee paid is transferable for use at another Gathering Men Men’s Gathering. With reason, no shows, early departures or late arrival, 100% of the applicable fee paid is forfeited.

LOCATION / DIRECTIONS

tanderrum, 181 Lithia Lane, Shepherds Flat, VIC 3461

https://goo.gl/maps/eya4Cn33NqE2Shepherds Flat

For those of you visiting tanderrum for the first time, the easiest way from Melbourne is this. Over the Westgate Bridge, exit at the Western Ring Road, then on to the Western Freeway. Exit onto Ballan-Daylesford Rd (C141) & head up to Daylesford. Right at the Howe St / Raglan St round-about then a left up at the Midland Hwy. Turn left into Carroll’s Lane off the Midland Highway just after passing Lalgambook (Mt. Franklin). Left into Lithia Lane. Travel about 1.65km, past the large holding dam on the left. Head down through a little dip in the road then enter the first driveway on left with a stone wall entrance. Look for the signs that say tanderrum & “181”. Follow the driveway till you arrive at the shed. Park. Turn your phone off & put it in the glove box. Get out & breathe the rarified air. Carpooling is a fine idea.

WHAT TO BRING

We will all be camping under the stars. Regardless of the weather. We will review & check in with you on the weather forecast during the week of the gathering. Please be prepared for all weather conditions. It can be warm during the day & extremely cool at night in the Central Highlands of Victoria.

Please come prepared. Bring clothes for both warm (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses etc) & cool/wet conditions (rain jacket, jumper, fleece, scarf, beanie, warm sox & boots, etc). Please bring a swag or tent, sleeping mattress, sleeping bag, extra blankets, pillow, torch, water bottle, folding chair, hammock, walking boots, bathers & towel, musical instruments, games & whatever else you feel to.

Note, we have a small number of high-quality fully enclosed tent-style double & single Southern Cross Canvas swags. Swags are available by request for the duration of the gathering for a cash hire fee of $50 for a roomy double & $40 for a comfortable single swag. If you would like to reserve a swag, pls contact Brett at 0414 827 556. Mattresses provided. Please bring your own fitted sheet, pillow & all required bedding.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

  • Dogs / Pets
  • Mobile Phones
  • Alcohol
  • Drugs
  • Cigarettes / Vapes
  • Coffee
  • Processed sugars

CAMPING GEAR

Swag or tent, sleeping mattress, sleeping bag, extra blankets, pillow, torch, water bottle, folding chair, hammock, walking boots, bathers & towel, musical instruments, games & whatever else you feel to bring.

Note, we have a small number of high-quality fully enclosed tent-style double & single Southern Cross Canvas swags. Swags are available by request for the duration of the gathering for a cash hire fee of $50 for a roomy double & $40 for a comfortable single swag. If you would like to reserve a swag, pls contact Brett on 0414 827 556. Mattresses provided. Please bring your own fitted sheet, pillow & all required bedding.

CATERING

This event is fully catered in our bush kitchen. We will be catering for & providing up to 9 vegetarian meals and healthy snacks across the gathering. If you have any specific dietary requirements, please let us know well in advance. If you have any special food that you’d like to bring or share, please feel free to do so. We are blessed with fresh rainwater & mineral water on site. And composting toilets.

CONTACT US

We are very much looking forward to this gathering of men. If you have any questions, comments or thoughts, please connect with Brett Ellenport at 0414 827 556 or Andrew McSweeney at 0408 170 769
Let’s Stay Connected,

The Gathering Men Team

Like, Follow, Share

Facebook

Instagram

gatheringmen.org

Date

24 - 27 Mar 2023
Expired!

Time

13:00 - 15:00

Local Time

  • Timezone: America/New_York
  • Date: 23 - 27 Mar 2023
  • Time: 22:00 - 00:00

Cost

$792.34

More Info

Register

Location

Tanderrum - Shephards Flat
181 Lithia Lane, Shepherds Flat, VIC 3461
Website
https://bit.ly/41vFfjO
Category

Organizer

Gathering Men
Gathering Men
Phone
+61414 827 556
Email
connect@gatheringmen.org
Website
https://gatheringmen.org/

Leave a Reply