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Victorian Seniors Festival
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Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups

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In this section:

  • Living Longer Living Stronger
  • Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups
  • Employment Support
  • Victorian Seniors Festival
  • COTA Cycling

Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups

Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups

Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups are a place for all men aged 50 and over to meet each other in an informal, social environment to share their knowledge and experiences. OM:NI men’s discussion groups have been running in Victoria since 2004, and are now found across Melbourne and in some regional areas.

How OM:NI groups work

Most local OM:NI men’s discussion groups meet monthly or fortnightly. A facilitator helps to lead the group in an informal discussion. Participants are expected to listen to each other and follow the OM:NI Group Guidelines of confidentiality, acceptance and respect. Sessions are always interesting, fun and informative.

Join your local OM:NI group

Find out if there is an OM:NI men’s discussion group in your local area by checking the OMNI group contacts. There are no formal membership requirements – to participate, simply contact the listed contact person for your local group.

For more information contact COTA Victoria on 1300 13 50 90 or by email to omni@cotavic.org.au.

Start a new OM:NI group

If there is no OM:NI group currently in your area, COTA Victoria can support you to start a new group. We have developed a number of guidance resources explaining the process:

  • checklist of steps for setting up and promoting a new group
  • detailed information about how to lead a group and facilitate discussion
  • a complete OM:NI information and resource manual.

To discuss starting a new group in your area, please contact COTA Victoria on 1300 13 50 90 or by email at omni@cotavic.org.au

Watch an OM:NI group in action

Evaluation of OM:NI

In 2021, La Trobe University was contracted by COTA Victoria to conduct an evaluation of the Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) program. The research was supported by John T Reid Charitable Trusts.

As part of this evaluation, the researchers from La Trobe University:

  1. Reviewed background information about OM:NI, including documents about its history and the OM:NI manual.
  2. Conducted a desktop review using the Google Scholar database to search for literature about “best practice” ways of engaging men in group-based social activities and programs.
  3. Conducted a focus group and interviews with 6 members of the OM:NI Advisory Committee (OAC).
  4. Conducted interviews with 14 OM:NI Group Contacts (GCs)
  5. Conducted a survey with 80 OM:NI participants (present and past)

The research aimed to find out about what was currently working well within OM:NI (Strengths), what needed improving or changing (Weaknesses), what ideas the men had about helping OM:NI thrive in the future (Opportunities), and things the men thought might threaten the sustainability of OM:NI (Threats). For the outcomes of the evaluation, read the brief OM:NI Evaluation Summary or the full OM:NI Evaluation Report.

Men’s health and wellbeing

Here are some links to other information and resources about men’s health and wellbeing:

  • Learn about the surprising predictors of a long, healthy life in the TED talk ‘The secret to living longer may be your social life’.
  • Read about men’s health topics on the Healthy Male (previously Andrology Australia) website.
  • Find tips on living longer and healthier in every decade on the Foundation 49 website.

Related resources

Coronavirus – Checking in on the older people’s experience
22 December 2020, COTA Publication
Age-friendly Cities and Communities Information Kit
1 April 2019, COTA Publication
An Agenda for Ageing
1 April 2019, COTA Publication
See more resources

Related submissions

Pre-budget Submission November 2021 Investing in Senior Victorians
15 November 2021, COTA Submissions
Budget Submission February 2021 on public oral health services
19 February 2021, COTA Submissions
Inquiry into the increase in Victoria’s road toll and the adequacy of road safety approaches
10 February 2020, COTA Submissions
See more submissions

Related news

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1 February 2023
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