Men’s business … A group of Brimbank men including Charlie, Lorenzo, Geoff and Peter, meet every week to keep fit and share a few yarns. 58747 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Natalie Gallenti
Geoff Crighton who guides the class said the self-help exercise group was a way to keep men’s minds and bodies active, while also offering them a social outlet.
“We yak a lot,” the St Albans resident laughed.
“Comradeship is very important for men. It’s a social thing.
“There are no restrictions on how much you want to chinwag.”
However the Vietnam veteran said numbers were dwindling as many of the older diggers were literally “dying off”.
Mr Crighton, from St Albans, said in the past two years 15 men had passed away, leaving only a handful of gents gathering and doing the gentle work out.
And he called on more community members to get involved as it would benefit both their physical and mental well-being.
He said had he not joined the group 11 years ago he would almost certainly be in a wheelchair now.
The 63-year-old, who walks between five and eight kilometres a day, said it was imperative that men continued to keep active as they got older.
“If you don’t keep it going in old age, your body will stop.”
But he said if numbers remained low, the group may be forced to close.
“It’s perfect for retirees looking for a hobby. It’s good for older blokes to get out of the house.”
The group meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30am at the Senior Citizens hall on Station Rd in Deer Park.
