We hold our meetings on the second Thursday of each month (Except January) from 6.00 pm – 8.30pm at the 1st floor of the Mango Hill YMCA Community Centre. Entrance from the car park at 22 Linear Drive, Mango Hill.

Please note!

Building construction has begun in the vicinity of the Y Building where we meet, and the builders’ compound will take most of the usual parking spots.

There are some car parks underneath the Y building, but the Y has asked that only people with limited mobility use those spots. After turning into Halpine Drive from Anzac Avenue, turn next right into Linear Drive. There is plenty of parking on Linear Drive, with a short walk over to the Y building.

There will also be 38 car parks on the left side of Halpine Drive, going towards Anzac Ave. To access that area, either do a u turn in Linear Dve, go left into Halpine, then left into the new car park just beyond the Y building, or from Linear Dve, turn right into the 7 Eleven servo, keep going between the servo and the Y building, then turn left onto Halpine Dve and it’s probably about 100 metres on the left.

Light refreshments provided from 6pm and we have a great mix of speakers featuring prostate, ageing, lifestyle and topical issues plus jokes and videos.

It’s no surprise that men are mentally affected when diagnosed with prostate cancer. So much so that, at the very first news of the diagnosis, they are unable to find the words to ask the right questions of their practitioner. They need help in some form to recover from this initial shock so that they can seek the answers they need and, possibly, get a second opinion.

Why get a second opinion? Well, it might enable a man to see whether there are alternative treatments and it also gives him the chance to ask someone else and get a different point of view. Also, he is usually more prepared to ask the right questions.

Dependent on the degree of cancer ascertained by the diagnosis, a man might have further depressive thoughts. Add to that the fact that it will, more than likely, have a similar effect on the man’s partner.

That’s why this support group goes out of its way to encourage involvement in all social activities. There is even some social activity at the monthly meetings where there is often extensive chats long after the speaker has finished. Men chat about each others treatment journey and that often allays fears that previously caused concern. Member Lindley Deslandes says the group has been good for him with the interaction, social activity and news. Peter Wilson thought he was going to meet a lot of grumpy old men. He was pleasantly surprised and now brings his wife along. Our meetings regularly have in excess of 35 present with many of these being partners. Those who attend meetings are deemed active and this includes partners. Active members and partners are eligible to vote at meetings.

Even our evening meetings have a social atmosphere with plenty of refreshments before the talks. The advent of our morning teas for partner members and a separate one for men members has been very well received. Our picnics are well attended and, because of our fundraising, mainly through Bunnings sausage sizzles, we are often able to provide free food for the picnics to members and their partners.

Added to these, our Social Director, Joy Ham, has her committee developing other events like the river cruises we’ve had previously, picnics, breakfasts, lunches and the monthly morning teas.

We need more patronage of these events. It’s a more pleasant and cheerful way of overcoming depression than through specialist psychological advice. You owe it to yourself to, at least, give it a go.

Our next events are shown in our regular newsletter.

Both men’s and ladies’ morning teas continue to be well attended and are another opportunity to socialise. They will continue throughout 2026. Again, the venues are shown in the newsletter.

We’ve had several picnics at Jamieson Park at Scarborough since it has shade, toilets and a nearby Sea Salt and Vine cafe when needed. We usually get about 35 people there. Whenever our social committee provide all the food, it’s then necessary for members to contact our Social Event Leader, Joy, to reserve a place (see the Contacts Page) since we need to know the numbers for food purchasing. If you don’t book, you will miss out on food. Bring your own drinks and chairs.