Melton local Trevor A. Boyd-King is foundation secretary of the Melton Men’s Group, dedicated to providing support to Melton and surrounds men. Mr Boyd-King spoke with Jack O’Shea-Ayres about community, home life and forging friendships through the Men’s group.
What’s your connection to the Melton area?
My connection to Melton is that when I moved back to Melbourne with my partner Anne in 2013. My employment took me to the outer eastern area. We re-located to Melton in 2015 and have made Melton our home. We have both become active in the community all the time and we love the feel and the people of the community.
What do you like most about it?
The thing that I like most about Melton is the people, the friendships that I have made since we moved into the area, and the opportunities I have been given since I have lived here. Firstly, I became the foundation Secretary of the Melton Men’s Group which is a group of Graduates from the Sons Of The West Men’s Health Programme formed in 2018. The group is aimed at the cohort of men who are able to get together in a friendly, safe and inclusive atmosphere to forge friendships with other men. Secondly, I was given the opportunity to host a weekly Jazz program on the local Melton Community radio 979fm on a Friday night which gives me the chance to share my love of Jazz with listeners.
What, if anything, would you change about Melton?
The one thing I would change is the way in which the numerous local not for profit organisations exist within the community. I feel that a facility needs to be provided within Melton that enables these groups to have a permanent place to meet, share activities and have the storage facilities for their equipment etc. This would result in them having certainty in their continuing operation and location.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
My favourite place to spend time is at home with my partner and our dog. Apart from that I enjoy my time at Melton Men’s Group and at the Community Radio Station.
What’s it like being involved in the Melton Men’s Group? Do you have any stories?
Being involved with the Melton Men’s Group is hard to describe. Firstly, it gives a real sense of belonging to a group that provides friendship and mateship where there is a feeling that we provide something in the Community that provides support and a sense of wellbeing to our members. Secondly, there is sense of belonging to a group that is highly regarded within the community through the projects that we undertake: firstly the provision of men’s hygiene packs that we provide to men in the Melton Community who are doing it tough in these uncertain times, secondly, there is the provision of boys’ scholarships to boys in year 10 at local government secondary schools who are in danger of not progressing to year 11, and finally, being the presenters of an annual International Men’s Day dinner each year for between 120 and 160 community residents and guests.
