GOING to The Men’s Table can be the difference between life and death for some blokes, says host Dan Ball.
Before moving to WA in April, Ball lived in Victoria for several years where he attended The Men’s Table, a pub meal where blokes talk freely about themselves without fear of judgement or ridicule.
Ball says the Table helped him navigate a tricky breakup and a career change.
“When I first joined it was very difficult for me to open up to my current partner and close friends,” he says.
“But because I was able to do that at a Men’s Table, it has helped me improve my relationships outside of it, and we hear that a lot from other men.
“Some have even said the Table meetings have saved their life, because of the support it has given them.”
Ball’s getting ready to host a new Men’s Table at The Wray Hotel in South Fremantle next month.
He says men of any age are welcome to come along – one Table in NSW has a 19-year-old and a 91-year-old – but most attendees are usually in their 30s to 60s.
Typically the monthly dinners have 8-12 blokes and include some general chitchat, a round-the-table on how every is, and a discussion on a specific topic.
• The Men’s Table help blokes connect and get stuff off their chest.
“Some folk might have been through a health scare, a relationship breakdown or retirement,” Ball says.
“It’s a space for them to open up and feel like they are being listened to and supported.
“Or blokes can just sit and listen.
“Everyone takes something different out of it. It’s a welcoming and relaxed space.”
While the Tables are an opportunity to discuss stuff outwith the usual footy chat, Ball says the meals are light-hearted with plenty of good-natured banter and fun.
“There’s lots of laughter about how bonkers life is,” Ball says.
“Sometimes you look at things and think ‘How could that even happen?’ a novelist couldn’t write that.
“It’s nice to have that camaraderie and talk with people who can also see the absurdity in life.”
Ball says there’s often social catch-ups outwith the dinners, including camping trips.
The Men’s Table is a non-profit organisation with about 25 Tables in WA and more than 200 across Australia.
It has about 2000 members and is registered as a charity.
The first Table was established in 2011 by Ben Hughes in Sydney. In September 2023, the first alcohol-free table was formed.
The introductory Men’s Table “entree” dinner is at The Wray Hotel in South Fremantle from 6pm-8:30pm on June 18. To register go to hemenstable.org/entree-wa or email hello@themenstable.org.
For more info see themenstable.org.
by STEPHEN POLLOCK