Received: from evaki.its.uow.edu.au ([130.130.68.32]) by anubis.ad.uow.edu.au with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959); Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:08:24 +1100 Received: from febris-nat.its.uow.edu.au ([130.130.68.210] helo=febris.its.uow.edu.au) by evaki.its.uow.edu.au with esmtp (Exim 4.63) (envelope-from ) id 1ItVpw-0003da-CX for blane@uow.edu.au; Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:08:24 +1100 Received: from servervs1.bosweb.local (eth3951.nsw.adsl.internode.on.net [150.101.126.110]) by febris.its.uow.edu.au (MOS 3.8.5-GA) with ESMTP id GNG04156; Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:08:21 +1100 (EST) Received: from servervs1 ([127.0.0.1]) by servervs1.bosweb.local with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959); Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:07:32 +1100 Thread-Topic: Make a Difference Reply-To: Message-ID: <67BE559B9FE649768030D1DEF6DACF7C@bosweb.local> thread-index: AcgpZkCzs3oNy8j4SNWjwcmakGP54g== From: To: Subject: Make a Difference Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:07:32 +1100 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_2413_01C829C2.74275C70" X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.3790.4133 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 17 Nov 2007 22:07:32.0949 (UTC) FILETIME=[40BB7850:01C82966] X-Junkmail-Status: score=10/49, host=febris.its.uow.edu.au X-Junkmail-SD-Raw: score=unknown, refid=str=0001.0A090205.473F649A.00BD,ss=1,fgs=0, ip=150.101.126.110, so=2007-07-31 18:51:00, dmn=5.4.3/2007-10-18 Return-Path: info@fathersonline.org This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_2413_01C829C2.74275C70 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Unable to read this email? Please click here Issue 274 - 19th November, 2007 Go to our website Here * Hello & Welcome Brian * Grandads * Laughter * Single Dads * Special Feature * Thought of the Week * All You Need is Love * News & Info * Dad's Prayer * Help Us Hello & Welcome Brian Just in case you have not noticed, Australia is having a Federal Election. It seems to me that a lot of people have not connected with that fact and they would prefer to ignore it. Maybe they are all suffering a bad case of 11 month election fatigue. Mark Latham adroitly said that this election is a 'Seinfeld' election - a show about nothing', in a reference to a long running comedy show which deliberately had no plot or purpose. One of the bad features of democracy is that successive governments try to buy votes. The sad reality is that it is the middle class voters in the swinging seats who will decide this next election. One could be forgiven for agreeing with Mark Latham's comment that 'the dominant ethos is greed, not generosity'. It is no doubt true that middle class greed has become so all-consuming that both major parties must design their policies to appeal to avarice at the expense of 'social justice or redistribution strategies'. For me, the greatest need is for social justice for the soul. Mother Teresa said that in the third world the greatest need is for food and clothing whilst in the west the greatest problem is loneliness. Last night at a Focus on the Family function one of the speakers talked about 'relational poverty'. Healing relational poverty is social justice for the soul. Surely that is the greatest need in Australia today? But how and why? Selfishness has overtaken us. Bishop Al Stewart (Wollongong) has said, 'We live in a society that talks about peace and contentment, and yet we seem to grow further and further from both. We get richer, but relationally poorer. Our weddings get bigger and our marriages get shorter. Our houses get bigger and our families get smaller. We communicate across the world without difficulty and can't talk across the dinner table. We live in a society that does not have peace with God. In fact the richer we become, the more we ignore Him and walk away." In the recent Strategic Summit on Marriage, Family and Fatherhood, convened at Parliament House by the Fatherhood Foundation, I quoted from a book called, 'Crowded Lives' by Lindsay Tanner MP. 'The days of crude materialism are over. In the new era, politics will be more about relationships, recognition and human dignity . . . The role of social capital and the strength of relationships within a community are now recognized as fundamental factors in the economic and social wellbeing of that community. Although material wellbeing has improved dramatically in recent decades, overall levels of happiness have not." There is a desperate need for our major political parties to address social justice for the soul. We have rights at work, why don't we have rights for single fathers to have equal access to their children after divorce. Better still, why not work at reducing the divorce rate. Why don't we have intelligent policies to affirm, support and build up Australian marriages. Prevention is always better than cure. Unless Australia pulls itself out of the divorce spiral, fatherlessness and motherlessness will become a permanent feature of the Australian landscape with disastrous consequences for our whole society. No government on earth can continue to fund a fatherless or motherless society. It will require national leaders of calibre, who are statesmen first and politicians second. As Aboriginal leader Ps Ronnie Williams once said, "Where are those leaders?" It is important for each Australian father to think carefully about who he will vote for next Saturday, 24th November, 2007. The Fatherhood Foundation has teamed up with Lone Fathers Association, Men of Integrity, Fairness in Child Support, National Marriage Coalition and about twenty other key men and family friendly groups to put together the 'Fatherhood Family Values Checklist'. This checklist asks a lot of hard questions pertaining to families and fundamental values but it doesn't get a lot of good answers from the major parties. Check it out for yourself at: www.fatherhoodcoalition.org.au If you really want to tackle the values debate head on, check out the Christian Values Checklist at: www.christianvalues.org.au There is a saying, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything". We have minority groups running this country because men won't take a stand for something they believe in. It's time for us to encourage our politicians to stand up for the truth. Together we can make a difference. Lovework Think about your vote and talk about it with your children. Your children need to know why, how and who. Children always learn best by example. They need to know that their father will stand up for what he believes in. Voting wisely and getting involved in the political process is one of the best ways to make a stand for what you believe in. Together we can make a difference. Yours for making a difference Warwick Marsh PS Please check out Ash Patil's Single Dads article. Also make use of the Fathers4Equality parliamentary megaphone to let your parliamentarians know the issues you are concerned about in our society. They will be listening pretty hard all the way to Saturday 24th. Another thing, don't forget to pray for the coming election. Check out www.pnn.org.au for a list of resources and prayer strategies. Prayer changes things! ___________________________________________________________ Warwick Marsh has been married to Alison for 32 years. He is the father of five children, four boys and one girl, ranging in age from 26 years to 14 years. Warwick is a musician, songwriter, producer and public speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at himself. back to top Grandads The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King Jnr back to top Laughter Two elderly men had been friends for many decades. Over the years, they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, their activities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards. One day, they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said, "Now don't get mad at me .. I know we've been friends for a long time, but I just can't think of your name! I've thought and thought, but I can't remember it. Please tell me what your name is." His friend glared at him. For at least three minutes he just stared and glared at him. Finally he said, "How soon do you need to know?" back to top Single Dads Family Law Reform Dismantling awaits Fathers after Election: Warns Fathers4Equality With the coming federal election in sight, it may be timely to start considering the implications to non-resident parents of the coming election result. However with only a portion of the total non-resident parents in Australia recently signing up to the Fathers4Equality campaign on voter education (on the fatherhood & family policies of the major parties), many would argue that a lack of interest pervades the otherwise boisterous non-resident parent community in Australia (which exceeds 750,000 in total). Maybe most Australians see the coming election result as a foregone conclusion, and with family law reform barely raising a blimp on the campaign radar, one could easily conclude that most non-resident parents believe that no positive family law reform would result, no matter who wins. Considering that neither of the three likely to be Prime Minister in the next term have ever had the experience of being denied contact with their child, some could argue that whatever the result, non-resident parents will simply get more of the same, which for most means very little genuine change in practice. But what most non-resident parents may not realise is that their apathy and lack of rigorous engagement in this coming election may in fact be a strong signal to previously contained anti-father feminist groups, which could be the spore to ignite an explosion of new anti-father policy demands after this election is done and dusted. Only time will tell, but credible sources are saying that the likely election result will herald in significant wind-back to the recently enacted family law (shared parenting) amendment act and child support act, and enact new draconian anti-domestic violence provisions, providing even further opportunities to abuse whatever shared parenting remnants remain in the existing family law act. In short, fathers have nothing to gain in this election, but possibly everything to lose. Although as matters stand, the coming election will be determined by factors beyond the issue of family and our children, we still have an obligation as non-resident parents, and more specifically as fathers, to educate and inform ourselves on the respective family law, fatherhood and family policies of the parties vying for our vote this election. Many Australian men have given their lives so that we could have the privilege of making an informed democratic vote. Let's not waste our vote by not being informed on where each party stands on the policies that matter to our family. To find out more about the policies of each major party contesting this election, review the National Fatherhood Coalition's 'Fatherhood Family Values Checklist 2007 Federal Election' of all major parties, or otherwise join the Fathers4Equality 'Strength in Numbers' campaign, and make an informed choice. Ash Patil fathers4equality - australia http://www.fathers4equality-australia.org email: president@fathers4equality-australia.org The Fathers4Equality Megaphone is back in time for Election 2007.......and ready for your use. The Megaphone is easy to use, and you can send over 400 personlised emails in minutes. To start, please click the below link (or copy and paste it into your web browser). http://www.fathers4equality-australia.org/mailsend/election2007megaphone .nsf/frmsendmail back to top Special Feature A CALL TO THE GOVERNMENT, OPPOSITION AND ALL POLITICAL PARTIES FROM THE FATHERS & MEN OF AUSTRALIA The massive increase in fatherlessness in Australia over the last three decades has gone hand in hand with spiralling family breakdown. Traditional morals and family values have been abandoned in favour of the 'if it feels good, do it' moral relativism. Current research is showing that 68.9% of Australians believe that the fundamental values of our society are under serious threat (Roy Morgan Research, 12 months to the end of Dec 2002). We have sown a wind and reaped a whirlwind. Our children continue to pay the price for our selfishness. The time to act has come, but this will involve a change of heart and a change of mind on our part. The federal election has been called, and we celebrated Father's Day in September. We must make use of this next week to initiate Operation Tidal Wave and make a call to the political parties of our nation to prioritise mothers, fathers, families and bring justice to our children. We must focus on three specific issues in the last week of this important federal election campaign to address the 'fatherhood crisis'. We call upon the men's and father's groups of the nation to unite and speak with one voice to all political parties, politicians and the media. We must send a tidal wave of emails, letters, faxes, make phone calls and issue press releases to all media and politicians. Let the men and fatherhood vote decide this election. Let us work together for the good of our children and the future of our nation. 1. National Fatherhood Summit - to address the fatherhood crisis We call for a National Summit on Fatherhood to be held, as a matter of urgency, to turn the tide of fatherlessness in Australia and to strengthen and support fathers for the sake of the greater good of all Australians, men, women and children. 2. Family & Father-Friendly Men's Policy We call for the development of family and father-friendly policies, and pro-active marriage and family policies to support men as fathers and to address the crisis in men's suicide and health. We put forward The 12pt Plan to strengthen and support Australian fathers and turn the tide of fatherlessness in Australia as the foundational document for equitable and inclusive fatherhood and manhood policy development in Australia. 3. Enact the Marriage Manifesto - A Call for Renewal of Marriage and a Restoration for Equitable Family Law -Presumption of Equal Shared Parenting We call for the renewal and restoration of marriage in Australia along with the reform of family law. We demand presumption of equal parenting in family law as per point 6 of The 12pt Plan and a total rewrite of the Family Law Act as per the Marriage Manifesto. For further enquiries call: National Fatherhood Coalition 217 Nolan St BERKELEY NSW 2506 Warwick Marsh: 041 822 5212 or 02 4272 9100 Barry Williams: 0417 668 802 or 02 6258 4216 back to top Thought of the Week Men are alike in their promises. It is only in their deeds that they differ. Thomas Edison back to top All You Need is Love SECOND CHANCE SENIORITY: After 31 years of divorce, man and woman reunite The Herald Bulletin Sept 29, 2008 by Neal McNamara According to June and Keith Minnick, marriage is not a 50-50 deal. It's more like 75-75, or 150-150. And if anyone is the authority on the pitfalls and joys of marriage, it's the Minnicks. After being divorced for 31 years, the newlyweds re-discovered their love for each other and tied the knot Aug. 4 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. "(The wedding) was outside in a beautiful garden in a gazebo," said June Minnick. "There was no one else there." The two first met in 1965, set up on a date by Keith's brother and sister-in-law. On their first date, they said, they ate pizza and watched classic war movies. They were married one year later, and two years into the marriage they had a son. They welcomed a daughter two years after that. But after 10 years, the marriage began to deteriorate. Keith, now a retired police detective, admitted that his 'running around' was probably the main factor in the marriage's downfall. June kept living in their Columbus Avenue home, the one that Keith had bought years prior to meeting her, and continued raising their children. Keith re-married after their divorce, but 10 years into that he was divorced again. But five years after Keith's second divorce, he and June again began seeing each other. They would go to Las Vegas several times a year, and would have dinner as much as 'five to six' times a week. June and Keith were officially dating, but Keith wanted to take it a step further. He had been considering asking June to marry him again for several years, but didn't work up the courage until June 2007. Sadly, that was around the same time June was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not wanting June to think he was asking her to marry him out of pity, Keith, who had already bought an engagement ring, put off asking her. Finally, on the last day of July, Keith asked her. They wanted to get married as soon as possible, but with June undergoing radiation treatment every weekday, they had only the weekends. They drove to Tennessee on a Friday after June's treatment and were married the next day. There was no family present, but their kids threw them a reception Sept. 22. "I said I was given a second chance," said June, 66, a retired day care worker. "I came through the cancer, and I got him back." And after 'running around' and divorces, and living together, what have the Minnicks learned about love and marriage? "It takes a lot of work,' said Keith, 71. 'Communication. Give and take. Talking things through. And if you can't talk it through on your own, get help." back to top News & Info Public Announcement Dear Friends We enclose a copy of the Fatherhood Family Values Checklist http://www.fatherhoodcoalition.org.au/downloads/fathercheck-colour.pdf that has been independently produced by the National Fatherhood Coalition to help Australians make an informed vote in the Federal Election on the Saturday the 24th of November 2007. The National Fatherhood Coalition is made up of over 24 Fatherhood Groups, Family Law Reform groups, Mens groups and pro Family and pro Marriage organisations and non profit charities. Our goal is to present our research in a bipartisan and unbiased manner, WE encourage you to do your own research and talk to your own local candidate and make your vote count in the upcoming Federal Election. Please feel free to pass on the enclosed Fatherhood Family Values Check list to your friends and those who are interested in supporting Australian Families. Kind Regards Warwick Marsh National Fatherhood Coalition www.fatherhoodcoalition.org.au Australia has 90,986 registrations this year with a total so far of $4,755,068 raised for Male health. If you can't grow anything just donate to the cause. Longer life means you have more time to make a difference. http://www.movember.com/au/donate/ The Weekend Australian Mens Issues. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/lifestyle/weekendm/ The Daddy Track Rise of Super Dads! http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22729991-5012694,00.h tml ______________________________________________ Letters Hi - During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I'm growin' a Mo. That's right I'm bringing the Mo back because I'm passionate about changing men's health and the fight against male depression and prostate cancer and I want you on my team. My Mo Team is called Fatherhood Foundation. To join my Movember team go to http://www.movember.com/au/register , and simply follow the steps. Once you have completed your registration you'll be sent all the info you need to get growing and sponsored as part of my Movember team. You will need these details to complete your online registration: Captain's Rego: 186637 Captain's Email Address: info@fatherhood.org.au Men's health is a major issue. Did you know: Depression affects 1 in 6 men...Most don't seek help. Untreated depression is a leading risk factor for suicide. Last year in Australia 18,700 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2,900 died of prostate cancer - equivalent to the number of women who die from breast cancer annually. Men are far less healthy than women. The average life expectancy of males is 5 years less than females. The money raised by Movember is donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative, which will use the funds to create awareness, fund research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from prostate cancer and male depression. Cheers Warwick More info is available at www.movember.com . Movember is proudly grown by Commonwealth Bank, Holden, Schick and VB. Movember is proud partners with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative. back to top Dad's Prayer Dear God Help me teach my children and grandchildren how to vote wisely. They need to know the values that made our nation great and how best to keep those values. Help me teach them what is important by living what is important. If my offspring can see it, they can live it too. If they can tell the difference between Those who say it and those who live it then they can vote wisely. And another thing: Don't give us the government we deserve Please give us the government we need. 'Mercy always triumphs over judgement'. back to top Help Us Click here for more information about us Help Us! The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Prevention Charity. Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been proven to be a source of harm. The Fatherhood Foundation helps children by promoting excellence in fathering. Excellent fathers are in word and deed: responsible, involved, protective, loving and committed to the well-being of their children and their children's mother. If you would like to give financially to the Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund and receive tax deductibility: Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund (Name, address and amount details must be emailed for a receipt for tax deductibility) Westpac Branch Wollongong BSB: 032 695 A/C: 25-5558 Or mail cheque and address details to: PO Box 440 WOLLONGONG NSW 2520 AUSTRALIA The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund is a public fund listed on the Register of Harm Prevention Charities under Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. You have received the fathersonline.org newsletter because you have subscribed, or you have been subscribed by a friend. If you do not wish to receive future emails, please click the UNSUBSCRIBE button below or send an email to info@fathersonline.org with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject heading. back to top Click Here to Unsubscribe ------=_NextPart_000_2413_01C829C2.74275C70 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Fatherhood Foundation
Unable to read this email? Please click here
Issue 274 - 19th November, 2007 Go to our website Here


Hello & Welcome Brian

Just in case you have not noticed, Australia is having a Federal Election. It seems to me that a lot of people have not connected with that fact and they would prefer to ignore it. Maybe they are all suffering a bad case of 11 month election fatigue. Mark Latham adroitly said that this election is a 'Seinfeld' election - a show about nothing', in a reference to a long running comedy show which deliberately had no plot or purpose.

 

One of the bad features of democracy is that successive governments try to buy votes. The sad reality is that it is the middle class voters in the swinging seats who will decide this next election. One could be forgiven for agreeing with Mark Latham's comment that 'the dominant ethos is greed, not generosity'. It is no doubt true that middle class greed has become so all-consuming that both major parties must design their policies to appeal to avarice at the expense of 'social justice or redistribution strategies'.

 

For me, the greatest need is for social justice for the soul. Mother Teresa said that in the third world the greatest need is for food and clothing whilst in the west the greatest problem is loneliness.

 

Last night at a Focus on the Family function one of the speakers talked about 'relational poverty'. Healing relational poverty is social justice for the soul. Surely that is the greatest need in Australia today? But how and why?

 

Selfishness has overtaken us. Bishop Al Stewart (Wollongong) has said, 'We live in a society that talks about peace and contentment, and yet we seem to grow further and further from both. We get richer, but relationally poorer. Our weddings get bigger and our marriages get shorter. Our houses get bigger and our families get smaller. We communicate across the world without difficulty and can't talk across the dinner table. We live in a society that does not have peace with God. In fact the richer we become, the more we ignore Him and walk away."

 

In the recent Strategic Summit on Marriage, Family and Fatherhood, convened at Parliament House by the Fatherhood Foundation, I quoted from a book called, 'Crowded Lives' by Lindsay Tanner MP.

 

'The days of crude materialism are over. In the new era, politics will be more about relationships, recognition and human dignity . . .  The role of social capital and the strength of relationships within a community are now recognized as fundamental factors in the economic and social wellbeing of that community. Although material wellbeing has improved dramatically in recent decades, overall levels of happiness have not."

 

There is a desperate need for our major political parties to address social justice for the soul. We have rights at work, why don't we have rights for single fathers to have equal access to their children after divorce. Better still, why not work at reducing the divorce rate. Why don't we have intelligent policies to affirm, support and build up Australian marriages. Prevention is always better than cure. Unless Australia pulls itself out of the divorce spiral, fatherlessness and motherlessness will become a permanent feature of the Australian landscape with disastrous consequences for our whole society. No government on earth can continue to fund a fatherless or motherless society.

 

It will require national leaders of calibre, who are statesmen first and politicians second. As Aboriginal leader Ps Ronnie Williams once said, "Where are those leaders?"

 

It is important for each Australian father to think carefully about who he will vote for next Saturday, 24th November, 2007. The Fatherhood Foundation has teamed up with Lone Fathers Association, Men of Integrity, Fairness in Child Support, National Marriage Coalition and about twenty other key men and family friendly groups to put together the 'Fatherhood Family Values Checklist'.

 

This checklist asks a lot of hard questions pertaining to families and fundamental values but it doesn't get a lot of good answers from the major parties.

 

Check it out for yourself at: www.fatherhoodcoalition.org.au

 

If you really want to tackle the values debate head on, check out the Christian Values Checklist at:

www.christianvalues.org.au

 

There is a saying, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything". We have minority groups running this country because men won't take a stand for something they believe in. It's time for us to encourage our politicians to stand up for the truth. Together we can make a difference.

 

Lovework

 

Think about your vote and talk about it with your children. Your children need to know why, how and who. Children always learn best by example. They need to know that their father will stand up for what he believes in. Voting wisely and getting involved in the political process is one of the best ways to make a stand for what you believe in. Together we can make a difference.

 

Yours for making a difference

Warwick Marsh

 

PS Please check out Ash Patil's Single Dads article. Also make use of the Fathers4Equality parliamentary megaphone  to let your parliamentarians know the issues you are concerned about in our society. They will be listening pretty hard all the way to Saturday 24th.

 

Another thing, don't forget to pray for the coming election.

Check out www.pnn.org.au  for a list of resources and prayer strategies. Prayer changes things!

___________________________________________________________

Warwick Marsh  has been married to Alison for 32 years. He is the father of five children, four boys and one girl, ranging in age from 26 years to 14 years.  Warwick is a musician, songwriter, producer and public speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at himself.

back to top

Grandads

 

The ultimate measure of a man

is not where he stands

in moments of comfort and convenience,

but where he stands

at times of challenge and controversy.

 

Martin Luther King Jnr

 

back to top

Laughter

 

Two elderly men had been friends for many decades.

Over the years, they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures.

Lately, their activities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards.

One day, they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said,

"Now don't get mad at me .. I know we've been friends for a long time, but I just can't think of your name!

I've thought and thought, but I can't remember it. Please tell me what your name is."

His friend glared at him. For at least three minutes he just stared and glared at him.

Finally he said, "How soon do you need to know?"

back to top

Single Dads

 

Family Law Reform Dismantling awaits Fathers after Election:

Warns Fathers4Equality

 

With the coming federal election in sight, it may be timely to start considering the implications to non-resident parents of the coming election result.

 

However with only a portion of the total non-resident parents in Australia recently signing up to the Fathers4Equality campaign on voter education (on the fatherhood & family policies of the major parties), many would argue that a lack of interest pervades the otherwise boisterous non-resident parent community in Australia (which exceeds 750,000 in total).

 

Maybe most Australians see the coming election result as a foregone conclusion, and with family law reform barely raising a blimp on the campaign radar, one could easily conclude that most non-resident parents believe that no positive family law reform would result, no matter who wins.

 

Considering that neither of the three likely to be Prime Minister in the next term have ever had the experience of being denied contact with their child, some could argue that whatever the result, non-resident parents will simply get more of the same, which for most means very little genuine change in practice.

 

But what most non-resident parents may not realise is that their apathy and lack of rigorous engagement in this coming election may in fact be a strong signal to previously contained anti-father feminist groups, which could be the spore to ignite an explosion of new anti-father policy demands after this election is done and dusted.

 

Only time will tell, but credible sources are saying that the likely election result will herald in significant wind-back to the recently enacted family law (shared parenting) amendment act and child support act, and enact new draconian anti-domestic violence provisions, providing even further opportunities to abuse whatever shared parenting remnants remain in the existing family law act. In short, fathers have nothing to gain in this election, but possibly everything to lose.

 

Although as matters stand, the coming election will be determined by factors beyond the issue of family and our children, we still have an obligation as non-resident parents, and more specifically as fathers, to educate and inform ourselves on the respective family law, fatherhood and family policies of the parties vying for our vote this election. Many Australian men have given their lives so that we could have the privilege of making an informed democratic vote. Let's not waste our vote by not being informed on where each party stands on the policies that matter to our family.

 

To find out more about the policies of each major party contesting this election, review the National Fatherhood Coalition's 'Fatherhood Family Values Checklist 2007 Federal Election' of all major parties, or otherwise join the Fathers4Equality 'Strength in Numbers' campaign, and make an informed choice.

 

Ash Patil

fathers4equality - australia

http://www.fathers4equality-australia.org

email: president@fathers4equality-australia.org

The Fathers4Equality Megaphone is back in time for Election 2007.......and ready for your use.

 

The Megaphone is easy to use, and you can send over 400 personlised emails in minutes. To start, please click the below link (or copy and paste it into your web browser).

http://www.fathers4equality-australia.org/mailsend/election2007megaphone.nsf/frmsendmail

back to top

Special Feature

 

A CALL TO THE GOVERNMENT, OPPOSITION AND ALL POLITICAL PARTIES

FROM THE FATHERS & MEN OF AUSTRALIA

The massive increase in fatherlessness in Australia over the last three decades has gone hand in hand with spiralling family breakdown.  Traditional morals and family values have been abandoned in favour of the 'if it feels good, do it' moral relativism.  Current research is showing that 68.9% of Australians believe that the fundamental values of our society are under serious threat (Roy Morgan Research, 12 months to the end of Dec 2002).  We have sown a wind and reaped a whirlwind.  Our children contin! ue to pay the price for our selfishness.  The time to act has come, but this will involve a change of heart and a change of mind on our part. 

The federal election has been called, and we celebrated Father's Day in September.  We must make use of this next week to initiate Operation Tidal Wave and make a call to the political parties of our nation to prioritise mothers, fathers, families and bring justice to our children.  We must focus on three specific issues in the last week  of this important federal election campaign to address the 'fatherhood crisis'.

We call upon the men's and father's groups of the nation to unite and speak with one voice to all political parties, politicians and the media.  We must send a tidal wave of emails, letters, faxes, make phone calls and issue press releases to all media and politicians. Let the men and fatherhood vote decide this election. Let us work together for the good of our children and the future of our nation.

 

1.  National Fatherhood Summit - to address the fatherhood crisis

We call for a National Summit on Fatherhood to be held, as a matter of urgency, to turn the tide of fatherlessness in Australia and to strengthen and support fathers for the sake of the greater good of all Australians, men, women and children.

 

2.  Family & Father-Friendly Men's Policy

We call for the development of family and father-friendly policies, and pro-active marriage and family policies to support men as fathers and to address the crisis in men's suicide and health.  We put forward The 12pt Plan to strengthen and support Australian fathers and turn the tide of fatherlessness in Australia as the foundational document for equitable and inclusive fatherhood and manhood policy development in Australia.

 

3.  Enact the Marriage Manifesto - A Call for Renewal of Marriage and a Restoration for Equitable Family Law -Presumption of Equal Shared Parenting

 

We call for the renewal and restoration of marriage in Australia along with the reform of family law. We demand presumption of equal parenting in family law as per point 6 of The 12pt Plan and a total rewrite of the Family Law Act as per the Marriage Manifesto.

For further enquiries call:

National Fatherhood Coalition

217 Nolan St

BERKELEY  NSW  2506

 

Warwick Marsh: 041 822 5212 or 02 4272 9100  

Barry Williams: 0417 668 802 or 02 6258 4216  

 

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Thought of the Week

 

 
 
Men are alike in their promises.
It is only in their deeds that they differ.
 
Thomas Edison
  

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All You Need is Love

SECOND CHANCE SENIORITY:

After 31 years of divorce, man and woman reunite

The Herald Bulletin Sept 29, 2008

by Neal McNamara

 

According to June and Keith Minnick, marriage is not a 50-50 deal. It's more like 75-75, or 150-150.

 

And if anyone is the authority on the pitfalls and joys of marriage, it's the Minnicks. After being divorced for 31 years, the newlyweds re-discovered their love for each other and tied the knot Aug. 4 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

 

"(The wedding) was outside in a beautiful garden in a gazebo," said June Minnick. "There was no one else there."

 

The two first met in 1965, set up on a date by Keith's brother and sister-in-law. On their first date, they said, they ate pizza and watched classic war movies. They were married one year later, and two years into the marriage they had a son. They welcomed a daughter two years after that.

 

But after 10 years, the marriage began to deteriorate. Keith, now a retired police detective, admitted that his 'running around' was probably the main factor in the marriage's downfall.

 

June kept living in their Columbus Avenue home, the one that Keith had bought years prior to meeting her, and continued raising their children. Keith re-married after their divorce, but 10 years into that he was divorced again.

 

But five years after Keith's second divorce, he and June again began seeing each other. They would go to Las Vegas several times a year, and would have dinner as much as 'five to six' times a week.

 

June and Keith were officially dating, but Keith wanted to take it a step further. He had been considering asking June to marry him again for several years, but didn't work up the courage until June 2007.

 

Sadly, that was around the same time June was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not wanting June to think he was asking her to marry him out of pity, Keith, who had already bought an engagement ring, put off asking her. Finally, on the last day of July, Keith asked her.

 

They wanted to get married as soon as possible, but with June undergoing radiation treatment every weekday, they had only the weekends. They drove to Tennessee on a Friday after June's treatment and were married the next day.

 

There was no family present, but their kids threw them a reception Sept. 22.

 

"I said I was given a second chance," said June, 66, a retired day care worker. "I came through the cancer, and I got him back."

 

And after 'running around' and divorces, and living together, what have the Minnicks learned about love and marriage?

 

"It takes a lot of work,' said Keith, 71. 'Communication. Give and take. Talking things through. And if you can't talk it through on your own, get help."

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News & Info

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Announcement
 

Dear Friends

We enclose a copy of the Fatherhood Family Values Checklist
http://www.fatherhoodcoalition.org.au/downloads/fathercheck-colour.pdf that has been independently produced by the National Fatherhood Coalition to help Australians make an informed vote in the Federal Election on the Saturday the 24th of November 2007. The National Fatherhood Coalition is made up of  over 24 Fatherhood Groups, Family Law Reform groups, Mens groups and pro Family and pro Marriage organisations and non profit charities. Our goal is to present our research in a bipartisan and unbiased manner, WE encourage you to do your own research and talk to your own local candidate and make your vote count in the upcoming Federal Election. Please feel free to! pass on the enclosed Fatherhood Family Values Check list to your friends and those who are interested in supporting Australian Families.

Kind Regards

Warwick Marsh

National Fatherhood Coalition

www.fatherhoodcoalition.org.au

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia has 90,986 registrations this year with a total so far of $4,755,068 raised for Male health.

If you can't grow anything just donate to the cause.

 

Longer life means you have more time to make a difference.

 

http://www.movember.com/au/donate/

 

 

The Weekend Australian

Mens Issues.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/lifestyle/weekendm/

 

The Daddy Track

Rise of Super Dads!

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22729991-5012694,00.html

 

______________________________________________

 

Letters

 

Hi - During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I'm growin' a Mo.

That's right I'm bringing the Mo back because I'm passionate about changing men's health and the fight against male depression and prostate cancer and I want you on my team.

My Mo Team is called Fatherhood Foundation.

 

To join my Movember team go to http://www.movember.com/au/register , and simply follow the steps. Once you have completed your registration you'll be sent all the info you need to get growing and sponsored as part of my Movember team.

 

You will need these details to complete your online registration:

Captain's Rego: 186637

Captain's Email Address: info@fatherhood.org.au

Men's health is a major issue.

 

Did you know:

Depression affects 1 in 6 men...Most don't seek help. Untreated depression is a leading risk factor for suicide.

Last year in Australia 18,700 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2,900 died of prostate cancer - equivalent to the number of women who die from breast cancer annually.

Men are far less healthy than women. The average life expectancy of males is 5 years less than females.

 

The money raised by Movember is donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative, which will use the funds to create awareness, fund research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from prostate cancer and male depression.

 

Cheers

Warwick

 

More info is available at www.movember.com.  

Movember is proudly grown by Commonwealth Bank, Holden, Schick and VB.

Movember is proud partners with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative.

 

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Dad's Prayer

Dear God

 

Help me teach my children and grandchildren

how to vote wisely.

They need to know the values that
made our nation great

and how best to keep those values.

Help me teach them what is important

by living what is important.

If my offspring can see it, they can live it too.

If they can tell the difference between

Those who say it and those who live it

then they can vote wisely.

And another thing:

Don't give us the government we deserve

Please give us the government we need.

'Mercy always triumphs over judgement'.

 

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Help Us

Click here for more information about us

Help Us!

The Fatherhood Foundation is a Harm Prevention Charity.
Fatherlessness and inadequate fathering has been proven to be a source of harm.

The Fatherhood Foundation helps children by promoting excellence  in fathering. Excellent fathers are in word and deed: responsible, involved, protective, loving and committed to the well-being of their children and their children's mother.

If you would like to give financially to the Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund and receive tax deductibility:

Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund
(Name, address and amount details must be emailed for a receipt for tax deductibility)
Westpac Branch Wollongong
BSB: 032 695
A/C: 25-5558

Or mail cheque and address details to:
PO Box 440
WOLLONGONG  NSW  2520
AUSTRALIA

The Fatherhood Foundation Public Fund  is a public fund listed on the Register of Harm Prevention Charities under Subdivision 30_EA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

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