Sense of connection for local dads
Published on 22 February 2024
Council recently partnered with MensLine Australia to offer a program to support dads and help them build connections.
Fifteen families and their babies, aged under 12 months, took part in the pilot ‘DadConnect’ program.
The group was led by a Council maternal and child health nurse and a male facilitator from MensLine. The program provided an opportunity to connect with other dads in the local community, share experiences about parenting, and explore their relationships with their baby and their partner.
Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Kylie Spears, said DadConnect is one of Council’s many services and programs for families in Maroondah.
“Council is pleased to have offered the trial DadConnect program to support local dads and we are looking forward to further exploring this initiative,” Cr Spears said.
“The program complements a range of services and programs that Council provides to support the needs of parents and children in our community, such as day care, immunisation, maternal and child health services, school holiday programs, parenting information sessions and more. You can find out more about these services, and many more, on Council’s website.”
Participant Todd said: “Initially I attended the DadConnect group to meet and connect with other dads in the area, to share and learn together. I took away some valuable ways to better communicate, express opinions and support my wife through what has been the biggest change in our lives so far.
“A special mention to Jane the Maternal Child and Health Nurse who attended all sessions and always provided timely and critical information to each dad about their baby’s development.”
Fellow participant Tim said: “My main focus was to make new connections, hear the opinions and experiences of other dads and gather information to improve my quality time with my son. I found the group met all of these goals.”
With the pilot program now complete, Council is looking forward to supporting this initiative with further programs later this year.
More information
Find out more about Council’s programs and services for children and families.