One for the dads

Graeme and Asher Mawson, with John and Charlotte Smith at Beechworth Bakery - where the next Dads' Group meeting will be held. 156855 Picture: JESSE GRAHAM

By JESSE GRAHAM

HEALESVILLE dads will have the opportunity to enjoy a cuppa with their kids on Saturday, 23 July, with the newly-formed dads’ group meeting each month in town.
The Healesville Dads’ Group will be meeting at Beechworth Bakery from 9.30am on the Saturday, giving fathers the chance to sit down with their kids, enjoy a hot drink and talk to other dads in an informal setting.
Group member Graeme Mawson said the group was the only one of its kind in the Yarra Ranges, and the July meeting would be the group’s second.
He said the first meeting, held on 25 June at Yarra Valley Refreshments, saw five fathers come along with their kids to meet each other.
Mr Mawson said the group would be holding monthly meetings in cafes, and dads of children up to school age were welcome to come along and bring their babies.
He said it would be a chance to “throw a frisbee in the park, hang out in the playground, meet other dads and make those connections”.
“It’s about giving mums a break, and giving a chance for dads to hang out with their children and other dads,” he said.
“It’s really about how do we create networks.”
He said that he hoped the group would inspire those in other areas of the Yarra Ranges to form their own dads’ group.
Dads registering on the Facebook event for the 23 July meet up would receive a voucher for a hot drink on the day.
The Healesville Dads’ Group meet up will run from 9.30am-11am at Beechworth Bakery, 316 Maroondah Highway.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/healesvilledads.