The Governor of NSW, David Hurley came to Sutherland Shire this week to talk about the importance of mateship.
Mr Hurley spoke to over 120 men at a breakfast hosted by Eastcoast City Church in Caringbah on Saturday, June 25.
He spoke about leadership, mateship and faith, topics he is well versed in having previously held the role as Chief of the Defence Force and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993.
Mr Hurley drew on these stories and others from his 42 years service in the Australian Defence Force as he shared with men from the St George and Sutherland Shire area about the importance of connection, and supporting one another.
“Australian men have a great capacity to come together as one community, to share the burden of adversity, to support each other, in the spirit of friendship and mateship,” Mr Hurley said.
“I want to encourage men to continue to seize every opportunity to reach out to each other,’’ he said.
Organising the breakfast was a labour of love for Miranda local Paul Pinn.
“It’s always been a goal of mine that one day when I retired I would give back to the men in my local community. I’m glad to be helping my church at Eastcoast provide places for men of all ages to form supportive relationships and help them live their best life.
“A 2014 Social Survey released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows people are now less likely, than in 2010, to be involved in social groups such as sporting teams, religious or other hobby groups. According to Mr Pinn this lack of key relationships leaves men at risk.
“Without support and without connection, life can get pretty isolating. That’s why men need to support each other and it’s great to have a leader with so much experience to join us for breakfast to help us do just that,“ Mr Pinn said.
“Also, the same 2014 ABS report found a three per cent drop in weekly face-to-face contact with family and friends since 2010 and suggested this could be due to our increased use of digital communication.
“We want men to know that regardless of whether or not they have walked through the doors of a church before, this breakfast is a chance for them to get together with some mates, have a great feed and become connected,’’ he said.
The event drew a great response from the men in attendance.
“David is a true leader – makes it look easy and effortless – his perspective was inspirational,’’ one attendee said.
Another said, “I loved his message on the “Standard you walk past is the standard you set.” Great leadership example.”
Other similar Men’s events are planned. Anyone interested in being invited to future events should register their email ID or mobile phone number with Paul Pinn by emailing him atpaulpinn27@gmail.com
