Bridging isolation, breaking routine and building mateship in a regional area.
One thing that emerged during my phone call with David Grima is that he is, not to put too fine a point on it, a bloke.
The kind of bloke that’s typical of his age group — he goes to work, runs around for the kids, spends time with his wife, and flicks the footy on, knowing his weekly conversations with the boys at work will centre on a ‘g’day’ and a ‘did you catch the game on the weekend?’
It’s meaningful, but unsatisfying in the social sense.
“I’m always busy,” he said.
“But I don’t have a lot of friends or much of a social life in Shepparton, I’ve only been here 10 years.
“I wanted to connect with people, find a few mates, and get out of the norm and out of routine.”
Getting out to the Men’s Table proved a go.
At the organisation’s entrée event in February, an optimistic David walked through the doors of the Terminus Hotel, got himself a beer, and tried his best to mingle, albeit sometimes awkwardly.
But the Men’s Table hosts know this is to be expected — this was, after all, their 109th table.
Established in 2011, a group of men having a chat over a meal sparked the revolution it is today — 153 tables nationwide of men sharing life’s highs and lows over a relaxed conversational dinner.
It was a simple idea that continues to combat the much larger issue of poor mental health in males.
David is one of a slew of blokes that show just how rapidly and inadvertently mentalities can ascend by conversing deeper than cars, competitive sports or current affairs.
“I find it easier to talk and understand what I’m going through and what (the guys at the table) are going through,” he said.
“I find myself in the same situation with guys that have issues at work or at home with the kids.
“It’s made me a lot calmer in everything I do — if I’ve got an issue at work, I’ve got other people I can ring up and ask for help to sort it out.”
One thing that’s not set to change is David’s ongoing presence at his table and praise for the Men’s Table in general.
“No matter where you come from in life, issue or no issue, talk a lot or not, plenty of friends or looking for some, I highly recommend it for any fella,” he said.
“It’s not just meaningless chat, it’s real everyday issues ... you build trust to talk about things, support them, and they support you back.”
The hum of a motor went silent through the phone speaker — David had pulled into his driveway, ready to head inside to see his family.
Non-contrary to the dawn of our phone call, I expected David’s blokey language to wrap up our conversation.
And he did not disappoint.
“All I can say is, just give it a crack!”
David would like to say a special mention to the Shepparton restaurants for their continual support, and the fantastic group of guys on his table.
To join a table or for further information: themenstable.org
This story originally appeared in Don. You can find the full publication at tinyurl.com/DON-Mag