HENRY GROSSEK
PRINCIPAL, BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Men's Health about Taking Responsibility
The ball of energy and passion that is legendary VFA hard man
and media commentator, Phil Cleary, swept into Pyramid Hill
on 14 June as the headline act for the men's health night jointly
initiated by Northern District Community Health Service and
Pyramid Hill Football Club.
Cleary, well-known for his exploits as a player and coach
for Coburg and for his dogged campaign to bring an end to the
legal defence of provocation following the murder of his sister,
took the reins at training and the night air rang with his barked
instructions and praise for the efforts of his temporary charges.
The men's health night, held during International Men's Health
Week, attracted an excellent crowd of sixty men to Mitchell
Park to engage with some of the major issues in men's health
and wellbeing.
Cleary also picked up on the night's theme of men taking responsibility
in his address. He regaled the audience with amusing tales of
his days as a VFA player and coach and of his time as an independent
member of federal Parliament. As probably the only MP to have
his campaign accidentally kick-started by the Truth newspaper,
Cleary had the crowd in stitches with anecdotes about his meetings
with then Prime Minister, Paul Keating.
Cleary returned to two key challenges for men. Firstly, he
stressed the need for good men to take responsibility in the
roles of dads and mentors for the raising of fine young men
and women. Cleary's description of his realisation that his
relationship with his kids was the most important thing in his
life really struck a chord with his audience.
Warming to the theme, Cleary described how his sister's murderer
was able to use the defence of provocation to his advantage
and his campaign, not only to change the law, but to urge men
to take a stand when they see something they believe is wrong.
Admitting an on-field 'hard man' reputation, Cleary said that
in fact he didn't like violence and urged men to take responsibility,
not only for their own conduct in their relations with others,
but also not to condone it where they see it happening.
The passion of Cleary's commitment and his courage in taking
a stand against the odds won the respect of his audience and
his views are certain to have made a mark.
Greg Currie
From Jane Ashton:
I have watched Phil Cleary captivate audiences at various speaking
functions over the last year, many different audiences, and
many different topics.
Last Saturday he was the last of six speakers, presenting to
over 100 people in a warm stuffy room. "Well he certainly
woke me up", "I wanted more", "Blew my socks
off", were some of the comments I got from people as they
clamored to shake his hand afterwards.
Hard hitting, but always with a sense of humor, Phil Cleary
comes into his own in front of a room full of people. Pure entertainment,
yet packed with plenty of food for thought. His unique style
captivates people in a way that few people can in these days
of quiet politeness and mediocrity.
He paints pictures of people, situations and circumstances
that draw the audience in. He takes them with him on his journey,
and they always keep up. One woman who has a PhD commented 'That
it was wonderful to be taken on such a great intellectual pursuit
with him and that she couldn't remember feeling so alive and
switched on mentally for a very long time….
He makes people laugh and cry, strive for more and feel brave.
His experiences, as a teacher, a politician and a football coach
allow him to tune into an audience, challenge the mental hurdles
that they have erected and push through them. People emerge
less precious, more aware of how we all interact and have a
role in this world and more prepared to accept responsibility
for their own decisions and actions.
I have never known anyone, after hearing Phil in full flight,
who hasn't taken something new, unique or exciting away with
them, when they left the room.
Jane Ashton
Twin sister of Julie Ramage - strangled by her estranged husband
in 2003 and the subject of Phil's latest book - Getting away
with murder.
