For me last Saturday’s inaugural Shoalhaven River Festival Invitational Perch Shootout was a success. But not because we had lots of teams competing in it or there was big prizes to be won. It was a success because a group of mates got together, went fishing, enjoyed each other’s company and fun. We also raised funds that will be donated to support suicide awareness and prevention initiatives in the local area.
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Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of solid Australian bass and estuary perch caught by the teams. Although ‘Big E’ and Anthony Kalsow were crowned the Perch Masters for 2017, the real winner was men’s health, particularly the importance of mateship.
There is a large body of anecdotal evidence supporting that fishing assists with relaxation and stress reduction. It is interesting that the strongest motivation for going fishing is not in fact to catch fish; it is actually for rest, recreation, to be outdoors and enjoy nature. Fishing is one of the few outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by anyone in the community, regardless of a person’s age, background, fishing skill or experience (McManus 2011) there is nothing really stopping us wetting a line, besides bad weather as course.
Although sometimes I enjoy the solitude of flicking lures around in beautiful locations such as the Shoalhaven River and Jervis Bay by myself, I really enjoy going out and shooting the breeze with a mate. With that introduction, let us address the elephant in the room, across the world, men die an average six years younger than women do. A lot of these deaths are largely preventable. However, it does not have to be like this: lads we can all take action to live healthier, happier and longer lives.
One in two Australian men have had a mental health problem at some point in their lives, but here is the kicker, three out of four suicides are men and unfortunately our local area does have a high rate of suicide. Something has to change and we can all be part of this change. Now there are a lot of people and organisations in our local community and across the nation trying their hardest to prevent men taking their own lives, but we need to ask ourselves what can we do ourselves? It is as easy as having a yarn to your mate.
We need to talk, ask, listen, encourage action and check in. Going fishing provides a great opportunity to create the right environment to ask a mate are they going OK. We need to reach out, take action, and look after each other and ourselves.
Do not put off a vital conversation with a family member or friend, have it now. It is not always easy, but it is important. If a mate needs to speak with someone immediately about their mental health, get them to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If life is in danger, do not hesitate in calling 000 or directly seeking the assistance of emergency services.
This month is the annual Movember Foundation’s fund-raising campaign for men’s health. So, I’m calling out all the lads in the local area to become a Mo Bro and grow a mo to raise money to help stop our sons, partners, brothers, fathers and friends from dying too young. You can register for Movember by going to https://au.movember.com/get-involved/moustaches
Here is the challenge to the men of the Shoalhaven: register for Movember, grow a marvellous mo, raise money for men’s health and take a mate for a fish on Sunday, November 26, to enjoy each other’s company and Australia’s most popular activity, recreational fishing. What a sight it would be to have many men with mos making a difference by taking another Mo Bro for a fish on that day.
Although there is no real evidence to support this, I reckon sporting a hairy lip just might improve your fishing. At the very least, it will make you look more dashing on the water and impress the Mo Sistas out there. Yes, ladies you can support your Mo Bro by registering as a Mo Sista as part of Movember, because behind every Mo Bro is a good Mo Sista.