The event was hosted by the Deniliquin Local Health Advisory Committee, and was preceded by a campaign raising awareness of six main health issues affecting men.
In addition to a social dinner and health presentation, men attending the event could take advantage of mini health checks for blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood glucose, body mass index, and another station where Dr Peter Thompson performed eye tests.
Participants received a health card with the details to take to their next GP visit.
LHAC chair Lourene Liebenberg said the event attracted a capacity crowd of 150 men.
She said it was an important reminder for men of any age ‘‘not to shy away’’ from conversations about looking after themselves.
‘‘We look after our tools and cars and equipment in our shed and our farms, we should be looking after our own ‘machine’ in the same way,’’ Mrs Liebenberg said.
She said events like this made it easier for men to share stories, ask questions, and connect on matters related to physical and mental health.
Several guest speakers were invited to bring their personal or expert perspectives on how to take care of your health.
Menshed president John Tonkin invited anyone who was interested to visit the shed for a mental health chat, Deniliquin Hospital emergency department nurse David Baker reminded guests of simple ways to look after their ‘‘head and heart health’’, and Dr Ben James gave advice on checking prostate health.
Speakers with personal stories shared openly about their struggles, including Vince Kelly who lost his dad to melanoma, and Jake Freshwater who ignored the early warning signs of the leukaemia he eventually overcame.
Dr James and Dr Albert Liebenberg reiterated the importance of not “dismissing warning signs”.
The evening doubled as a forum for participants to share feedback on health services in the community, with guests querying the status of the Deniliquin doctor shortage, sharing frustration that GPs were not taking new patients due to the volume of existing patients in their care.
The panel of doctors agreed the situation across many regional and rural communities was difficult to address.
They each said their workload was at capacity, but assured the guests they were taking strides to address the issue.
Mrs Liebenberg said LHAC is putting together a directory of the sometimes ‘‘fractured’’ health services available to the Murrumbidgee Health District catchment area.
She added the emergency department, while not a replacement for a GP, is open to walk-ins if residents in the Deniliquin Hospital catchment area need to be seen in person for potentially serious issues.
After the panel sessions, participants were encouraged to submit further questions to the local doctors to be discussed in private.
Mrs Liebenberg said the night was a great success, thanks to the help of seven nursing staff from Deniliquin Hospital.
‘‘We would not have been able to run our event without their support and expertise and their time provided tonight, and we are very appreciative of the support by Deniliquin Hospital — they provided us with all of the equipment and supplies needed,’’ Mrs Liebenberg said.
‘‘Their participation in, and enthusiasm for, supporting this event highlights the commitment of the staff and management to our local community here in Deni.’’
Mrs Liebenberg also thanked the LHAC committee and the event’s sponsors and supporters.
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