ManAlive News September 2004
Men's Creativity Gathering
Organised by ManAlive and Big Buddy at the Prana Retreat Centre November 18th - 21st 2004.
A place for men to explore their creativity, push their boundaries and find their creative edge. There will be a wide variety of workshops and core events, including celebrations of our collective talents. The central theme will be celebrating our creativity as men and increase the awareness of our creative spirit both individually and collectively. We welcome all men to the gathering who wish to discover or expand their creative spirit, and open out their horizons
The Prana Retreat Centre is approximately two hours from Auckland, situated in native bush and a pine forest and borders the amazing surf beach of Opoutere on the lower East Coast of the Coromandel. The cost is $200 early bird special if paid by the 15th October or $245 if paid after that. The fee for Youth/Boys is $85. The fee includes creative food, your campsite and all workshop activities.
More information and registration form.
For bookings contact ManAlive or Ph 835-0509.
Street Talk
Street Talk is a driving awareness programme developed by the Land Transport Safety Authority to help drivers identify the risk factors they face on the road and become safer drivers. By completing a Street Talk course participants are able to apply for their full licence six months sooner (i.e. get six months off their restricted licence).
Street Talk is a 10 hour programme consisting of 5 X 2hr sessions. Participants receive a log book and certificate on completion of the course. The primary focus of the Street Talk Young Driver Education Programme is to help participants identify and challenge attitudes and behaviours that lead to dangerous or reckless driving. Street Talk is now being offered in Waitakere City.
If you would like to attend a course, know of young drivers who are interested in attending or would like to organise a Street Talk course for your school/ organisation (minimum 8 participants) please contact Stephen Bell. email: drivesafe@actrix.co.nz phone: 817 1122
Important Community Information
The Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme will start in Waitakere City in November. Children and young adults are most susceptible and the Ministry of Health is offering FREE immunisations to those aged six months to 20 years to protect them from the most common strain of meningococcal B disease in New Zealand. The MeNZBTM vaccine requires three injections to be given at six week intervals.
- Who will be vaccinated first?
- In November preschoolers aged six months to five years will be the first to be vaccinated by a doctor or nurse at their usual primary health care provider such as their GP.
- What about school children and young people who have left school?
- School students in Waitemata will be vaccinated from March 2005 by public health nurses at their school (following the completion of a consent form by the child's parent, caregiver or guardian. Each child will bring one of these forms home when the vaccination is going to be available at his/her school). The campaign to vaccinate young people no longer at school will also take place in 2005 through their usual primary health care provider.
- Why is the vaccine necessary?
- New Zealand is in its 13th year of a meningococcal disease epidemic. In our district there have been 453 cases of meningococcal disease since 1992 and at least 20 deaths. Nationwide, there have been over 5400 cases and around 220 deaths. The MeNZBTM vaccine has been developed to protect against the specific strain of meningococcal B disease causing the New Zealand epidemic. The MeNZBTM vaccine does not protect against other strains of meningococcal disease so it will still be important to watch for signs and symptoms of the disease regardless of whether you or your child has been vaccinated.
For more information on Meningococcal B disease and the MeNZBTM vaccine visit: www.immunise.moh.govt.nz or free phone 0800 20 30 90. If you would like someone to present more information about the Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme to your community group, please e-mail: janine.chesterman@waitematadhb.govt.nz
ManAlive is a comprehensive men's centre, dedicated to working with and supporting men, youth and boys on issues that affect their lives. Our programmes and services are designed for men, by men.
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