On a cold, wintery night, 15 men gathered at the Milestone Hotel for the Dubbo cross table gathering to share a meal and connect with each other.

This was held during Men’s Health Week (9 – 15 June), as a way for the fellas from both Tables to meet each other and share their journey of being part of the two Men’s Tables in the Western NSW town of Dubbo.

Both the Dubbo Men’s Tables are just over two years old, so a couple of men from each table had a quiet word into the ear of Al Stratton, Western NSW Regional Host, and said it is about time we meet the other Dubbo Table. So it was decided that a social gathering over a meal was in order.

Some old friendships were rekindled and new ones made, with each man sharing with the group what keeps them coming back to their Table. The common themes that arose from this sharing were: 

• having a safe and confidential space to share their emotions and feelings,
• not being judged by the men at their table,
•  social connection and, most of all,
• having a bunch of blokes that cared for and supported them.
  
  

Dubbo is the service hub of the Western NSW region, with a population of just over 74,000 according to the 2021 census. It has grown rapidly in the past 10 years with 36,000 men calling Dubbo home. The initial Men’s Table Entree in May 2023 had 16 men show up, which is huge for Entrees in Western NSW. The two Dubbo Tables are healthy with the men enjoying the connection and trust they have built together.