Past MRSPAG Events
Launch of Macedon Ranges Community-Led Safe Space - 20 November 2024
Our Community-Led Safe Space is Now Open 💚
This event marked the official launch of the Community-Led Safe Space at the Woodend Neighbourhood House—a warm, non-clinical drop-in centre for individuals experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
This space is for YOU, our community. It’s a place to feel heard, supported, and understood. There’s no need for referrals or appointments—just walk in for a safe chat with one of our compassionate, qualified peer supporters - or simply take time for yourself in a calm, safe and welcoming environment.
📍 Location:
Woodend Neighbourhood House, 47 Forest Street, Woodend VIC
🕒 Opening Times:
Wednesdays (weekly): 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Saturdays (fortnightly): 1pm to 4pm (from 30th Nov)
For all enquiries, please email safespace@mrspag.com.au
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A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this possible:
🙏 Woodend Neighbourhood House
🙏 Gisborne Community Bank
🙏 Roses in the Ocean
🙏 Koala
🙏 Kaiko Fidgets
🙏 Gisborne Village Homewares
🙏 Artists Miffy Howel & Aimee Timpson
🙏 Gisborne Flower Shoppe
And, of course, our incredible volunteers whose dedication brought this space to life.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a safe space or if you’d like to volunteer, visit our website. Together, we can create a stronger, more supportive community. 💚
World Suicide Prevention Day September 2023
Creating Hope Through Action
World Suicide Prevention Day September 2022
Creating Hope Through Action
The Human Code Project: Research
The Human Code - Beyond Gender Expectations
Local partners and MRSPAG have identified a need to better understand the dominant ideals of masculinity in Macedon Ranges.
The Human Code was a research project to better understand community attitudes in the Macedon Ranges to outdated masculine stereotypes and their effect on men’s mental health and related behaviours.
There is a growing body of evidence showing the link between pressures to conform to outdated masculine stereotypes and being at a higher risk of suicide and other harmful behaviours (such as drink driving and substance misuse. There is also a link with these stereotypes and perpetrators of family violence).
As a result, men who conform to traditional expressions of manhood are more likely to suffer harm to themselves and do harm to others.
“My hope is that this project moves the community understanding of masculinity to be more like humanity, whereby we all keep an eye out for those needing assistance, we don’t walk past what we don’t accept, and t is okay for any of us to ask for help.”
Ken Reither, Gisborne Men’s Shed Representative on the Project Working Group
Based on research findings, this project identified key activities that local partners and the community can focus their efforts on to prevent and reduce harmful behaviours over time.
Research findings:
You can access a summary of findings from the research and the full report below.
The Human Code Community Resource, Oct 2021
The Human Code Full Report, Oct 2021
Media Release, June 2021
The Human Code Project: Action
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health procured funding from VicHealth to implement some of the recommendations from The Human Code research (phase 2).
The two initiatives were:
Supporting parents and carers of adolescent boys to challenge harmful, outdated masculine stereotypes
The Tomorrow Man's six-week program started with 147 parents/carers registered and approx 100 parents/carers attended the first session.
Supporting mentors to challenge outdated, harmful masculine stereotypes and promote healthy, positive masculinity.
Mentoring Boys Community Training Program targeted male mentors who currently coach, teach, lead, work or interact regularly with a group of teenage boys. Delivered over a 6-week period, the program featured some key tools, mindsets, and strategies to help you more readily engage teenage boys.
Cut the Silence
Cut The Silence was a local campaign to get men talking.
As part of this campaign we filmed a series of short conversations in a local barbershop with some some high profile Macedon Ranges men about looking after themselves or a mate who is struggling.
Five of our local barbers participated in Conversations for Life Training and have information to guide customers to help if they want it.
for further details click here
Art Bomb for Mental Health
for further details click here
Light a candle to remember
2021 was another year MRSPAG and the community were unable to come together to walk for those impacted by suicide, on Friday 10th September people were encouraged to light a candle for World Suicide Prevention Day.
Due to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic we were unable to gather on World Suicide Prevention Day September 10, 2020.
So instead we invited people to join us across social media - from #WorldSuicidePreventionDay to share ways you can #BeKindToYourMind - showcasing 7 Days of Self Care!
#BeKindToYourMind
Walk for Sunshine
On Monday 11 December, members of MRSPAG and Council officers welcomed Tony and Liane Drummond to Kyneton. Liane and Tony are walking around Australia to draw attention to suicide and mental health after losing her son to suicide.
Creative Arts Therapy
Marita Jacobsson worked with participants bereaved by suicide to create a group creative arts piece.
Arts therapy is a form of counselling using the arts in varying forms to create and make meaning. It can be especially helpful when words are hard to find and express.
Suicide Prevention Conference
The National Suicide Prevention Conference provides a platform for the exchange of ideas to help achieve our agenda of halving suicides in Australia over the next ten years - MRSPAG has been represented as presenters and participants for the last six years.
Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Walk, 2018
More than 200 people walked in Woodend on Sunday 9 September, World Suicide Prevention Day, to raise awareness of suicide prevention. Hosted by Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group, for the first time the Walk route included the High Street service road.
The Walk was an opportunity to remember those lost to suicide, their families and friends; and to acknowledge those who have attempted suicide and those with suicidal thoughts.
‘Working Together to Prevent Suicide’ was the theme of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day and Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Walk.
It also complements the efforts of R U OK? a suicide prevention charity who encourage people to take the time to notice what’s going on with family, friends and colleagues – and oneself. It is about taking time to have those conversations when you notice something has changed and equipping yourself to help yourself and others.
MRSPAG would like to thank all those who attended and lent support to this event. We are better together.
