Gathering Men – On Country – Spring 2022
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.
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.
BACK ON-COUNTRY
In Spring 2022 Gathering Men are heading back out On-Country. To the place, it all began. The best news? You’re invited! Once again, we’ll be gathering at tanderrum, a stunning 100-acre property in sacred Djaara – Dja-Dja-Wurrung Country. Near Hepburn Springs in the shadow of Lalgambook (Mt Franklin). We are 90 minutes from Melbourne. 10 minutes from Daylesford. This land has called in & safely holds our gatherings.
COVID-SAFE
We’re all about Men’s Health & Well Being & we believe Australian Men deserve connection now more than ever. So, in the lead up to our gathering, we will continue to monitor developments carefully & listen to a broad range of expert health opinions. We take our duty of care & responsibility for this event extremely seriously. We remain 100% committed to delivering a COVID-Safe Gathering for a very special group of men.
CONNECTION
Our core theme is 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 in 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
WHY CONNECTION?
Gathering Men is all about connection, authenticity & brotherhood. It was created & crafted with Men’s health firmly in focus. In response to calls from all sorts of good men. Some had attended Men’s gatherings in the past & expressed interest in something fresh & different. For others, it was to be their first experience of this kind.
What we have since 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 let it out. To tread a little lighter with ourselves & explore a lot deeper too.
– How am I really feeling?
– Where am I honestly at?
– What is actually going on for me?
– Am I truly satisfied with the man I am right now?
– Given the chance, what might I shift about my life?
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.
FIRST NATIONS WISDOM
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we gather on. Sacred Djaara – Dja-Dja-Wurrung Country. Always was, 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 Story & 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.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
At each Gathering Men, the team witness & hold space for strong, brave, courageous, heart centred men. Men who are trusting their flow & never saying no. We have so loved having you all here, journeying deeply with us on country at tanderrum.
This recharged connectedness has rippled out gently through these men to their partners, children, families, loved ones, friends, colleagues & communities. How do we know? Because the men & their families tell us so.
Naturally, given our gathering is all about Connection, this is an alcohol, drug & digital device free space. For the entirety of the gathering.
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 on to 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 & cool at night in the Central Highlands of Victoria. Though in late Autumn it can also get extremely cold. Down to single figures at night. 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).
WHAT NOT TO BRING
- Dogs / Pets
- Mobile Phones
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Cigarettes (an opportunity to finally kick it)
- Coffee
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 to in our bush kitchen. We will be catering for & providing up to 6 vegetarian meals and healthy snacks across the gathering. If you have any specific dietary requirements, please let us know. 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 a composting toilet or three.
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 on 0414 827 556 or Andrew McSweeney on 0408 170 769
Let’s Stay Connected,
The Gathering Men Team