Modelling Respect and Equality Program in Colac Otway – Call for Nominations
October 5, 2022
What does it mean to be a good man in the Colac Otway community?
Colac Otway Shire Council, in partnership with Colac Secondary College, want to unpack what it means to be a man today as part of an innovative and long term community project.
Council and the College have received a grant from VicHealth to deliver the Modelling Respect and Equality (MoRE) program in our shire.
This two-day workshop has been developed by The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services to explore societal pressures around masculinity and how we support our young people to understand what it means to be a man in our community.
The project will involve up to 25 local men or masculine-identified people who are in positions to positively influence boys and men.
Colac Secondary College Principal Mr Elevato said MoRE is about creating positive role models where boys and men work, live and play so local primary and secondary students receive the same messages about the importance of healthy masculinities both inside and outside of school.
“This project is about us as a community taking responsibility to create the culture of masculinity we want for Colac Otway, generating social change from the grassroots level, and really thinking about what it means to be a man,” he said.
More than ever, the behaviours and attitudes of Australian boys and men are being called into question, driven by the #MeToo movement. Research shows that gender inequality and narrow, rigid stereotypes keep people from living healthy, safe and fulfilling lives.
Mayor Kate Hanson is calling on men aged 18 and above who are involved in business, health, education, sport, emergency services, the arts and faith communities to put their hands up to participate in MoRE.
“We’re calling on the leaders in our community – the sports coaches, the teachers, the tradies, the police, ambos and firefighters, the work supervisors, the opinion leaders – to get involved,” she said.
“At a time when we’re all striving to get people back involved in community activities after COVID, this is an opportunity to be able to positively influence your workplace, or your sports club, or your community group as a place that is achieving change in gender equality.”
Participants in MoRE learn how to become active influencers for change in their communities. They will reflect on their own understandings and experiences, learn how to model positive change, and how to challenge problematic attitudes and behaviours for the benefit of young people around them.
MoRE will be delivered over two days, 13 and 14 February 2023 in Colac.
Nominations are now open for the MoRE program, for more information about how to express interest visit www.colacotway.vic.gov.au or www.colac-sc.vic.edu.au.
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400