Helping the men of Roxby kickstart new healthy habits this Men’s Health Week
In the Roxby Downs Community Hub, a partnership between Healthy Environs and BHP, we made physical activity, connection and health checks the focus of our Men’s Health Week initiatives in 2024.
Men are less likely to seek help for their health concerns. So the Community Hub Team partnered with the Roxby Downs Doctors Surgery to offer free men’s health checks throughout the week.
“This gave men the chance to find out about their blood pressure, blood sugar level, heart rate and body mass index and talk to the doctor about any health concerns,” said Community Hub’s Luke Ragless. “Not only could the men access free advice on lifestyle changes to improve their overall health and quality of life, each person went into the raffle with prizes donated by local businesses. Win, win.”
Did you know that on average, only around two thirds of men (65%) are meeting physical activity guidelines? This fact inspired the Community Hub’s collaboration with the Far North Football Club and Roxby Downs Junior Football Association on Men’s Health Week Round.
ESS put on a sausage sizzle to feed the hungry hoards of junior players after their games and the BBQ for the men was run by Mind over Masculinity, a local not-for-profit working to break the stigma around men’s health in outback South Australia. Olympic Dam Sporting Club kindly donated the food for the sizzles. There were other incentives for men and boys on and off the field including a relay race for the Annual Club Relay Shield, won by Hornridge, and a push-up challenge and activities to boost mental health and connection.
“The winner of the push-up challenge did 85 push-ups but everyone who had a go got a t-shirt.,” said Luke, who managed a respectable 34 push ups.
“The Roxby Downs CFS and Ambulance also set up a dunking station. BHP’s Projects Coordinator, JP, was first up and received a soaking from Community Hub Team Leader, Terressa Hann. After the match, Roxby police presented the inaugural FNLSA Police Medal to the player who showed the most sportsmanship and supported the other players throughout the match. The winners of the Sportsmanship Medal were Billy Hodges from Hornridge and Tye Starkey from the Miners.”
Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make Men’s Health Week Possible,” said Luke. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Our thanks to:
Youth Action Leading & Engaging Team (YALE)
Australian Supply Group (ASG)
Lawn and Order Horticulture
Roxby Downs Post Office
Invoke Hair Studio
Roxby Rascals Party Hire
CFS and SA Ambulance Service
SAPOL
SportsPower Port Augusta
Olympic Dam Sporting Club
Mind over Masculinity
Tumby Bay Print
Finally, the Healthy Environs team would like to acknowledge its Community Hub partner, BHP for making Men’s Health Week possible. You can learn more about the Community Hub partnership and activities here.
You can learn more about ideas and support for men and boys to support their physical, mental and emotional health by visiting the Australian Men’s Health Week Forum website.
