Meetings

AMMA meets on the 1^st and the 3^rd Wednesday of every month at 9 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. (Google Map)

A friendly, safe and relaxed atmosphere where you can listen or discuss relevant issues amongst other like minded attendees. The meetings are confidential and anonymous.

We meet at 7:45 PM for Early Bird tea and coffee and a chance to meet new friends. The meetings commence at 8:00 PM and usually conclude around 9:30 PM with tea and coffee, and the opportunity for one–on–one discussions.

The meetings are facilitated by experienced GAMMA members who have been through the journey and understand the issues involved. Guest speakers are often invited to share their knowledge on such topics as:

Family Law – the issues and suggested approach
Managing the change – with children, families and parenting
Relationships – with former–spouses and Gay men, and support networks for wives and families
Safe Sex – education and awareness
Support Groups – social and professional
Financial Planning – making long term responsible decisions
Managing a Gay lifestyle

GAMMA Meeting Schedule & Activities 2010

he following meetings are planned for 2010, however changes may occur unexpectedly.

GAMMA NSW — Meetings & Activities
January	20 (WED)	Celebrating the Body Electric Bob will talk about his own experience as a gay man who was once married. Bob is also the facilitator of The Body Electric workshops in Australia. For more than 20 years The Body Electric in Australia has been, and continues to be, a unique resource for men who are seeking to be more comfortable in their bodies and for those who are looking to connect on deeper levels with others. The workshops offer opportunities for exploring your path as an erotic and spiritual being. A significant part of this evening will be devoted to listening to men’s stories of how they have coped over the Christmas and New Year period, and offering support.	Bob Moore The Body Electric

February	3 (WED)	GAMMA Café A place for GAMMA members to socialize with friends and other like-minded men in a safe, relaxed environment. Open 8:00–9:30 PM.

	17 (WED)	GAMMA Forum Eric is a Master Clinician with the Australian Association of Relationship Counsellors. A Therapist in private practice and member of the GAMMA community, Eric will facilitate an informed and focused discussion around the relevant issues that arise from out of the men’s stories on the night.	Eric Hudson

March	3 (WED)	Sex before and sex after	Jase (Gary) Hodson

	17 (WED)	Being a Gay Dad and Daddy Dearest John is the gay father of two boys. He writes about his experiences of seeing them grow up in ‘Daddy Dearest,’ a regular column for the Sydney Star Observer. It is the only column of its kind in Australia.	John Mayer Sydney Star Observer

April	7 (WED)	Panel Discussion Representatives from Mature Aged Gays, Harbour City Bears, and Team Sydney will talk about their respective groups and how these may be of benefit to GAMMA men.	Mature Aged Gays (MAG), Harbour City Bears, Team Sydney

	21 (WED)	Surviving and thriving through challenge and change Tony is a practicing counselling psychologist in Newtown, a father of two adult sons, and a member of the GAMMA community. He will lead a discussion on “Surviving and thriving through challenge and change”. We have all been through, are presently experiencing, or currently facing incredible challenges in our lives and to our sense of self. Tonight’s session will be based on Tony’s professional practice and his personal journey. Discussions work well when there is a sharing of stories and experiences during the session and through this we all learn that we are not alone in our journey.	Tony Williams

May	5 (WED)	Women Partners of Gay and Bi-sexual Men Manager of the Leichhardt Women’s Health Centre, Roxanne conducts the only known funded group for women partners of Gay and Bi-Sexual men. Roxanne will help men understand the woman’s experience as men disclose their own sexual identity. These talks are offered without judgement and are always highly valued by the men present.	Roxanne McMurray Leichhardt Women’s Health Centre

	19 (WED)	Family Law	Inner City Legal Centre

June	2 (WED)	GAMMA Forum Eric is a Master Clinician with the Australian Association of Relationship Counsellors. A Therapist in private practice and member of the GAMMA community, Eric will facilitate an informed and focused discussion around the relevant issues that arise from out of the men’s stories on the night.	Eric Hudson

	16 (WED)	Looking after your Sexual Health Matthew is the Western Sydney Community Development and Liaison Officer for ACON and will provide information and education on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Safe Sex practices.	Matthew Vaughan AIDS Council of NSW (ACON)

July	7 (WED)	Mid–Year Dinner and Speaker	TBA

	21 (WED)	GAMMA Café A place for GAMMA members to socialize with friends and other like-minded men in a safe, relaxed environment. Open 8:00–9:30 PM.

August	4 (WED)	Children in Focus Julie is the manager of the Family Relationship Centre in the Sutherland Shire. Julie will talk about the role of the Family Relationship Centres in supporting families who may be considering or in the process of separation, with a particular focus on the needs of children affected by the events surrounding their parents lives.	Julie Dale Family Relationship Centre

	18 (WED)	Panel Discussion

September	1 (WED)	Things were going fine until emotions got in the way! An understanding of Emotional Intelligence is a useful tool in any life situation, particularly where critical cognitive processes (decision making, negotiation, crucial conversations, etc.) need to take place to achieve win/win outcomes. As when emotions go up, logic goes down! John’s session will work through some basic concepts in managing your own emotions and influencing the emotions of others to help you navigate relationship challenges to constructive outcomes. As always, he will offer simple tips that you can put into practice straight away. So, regardless of what relationship you are in, what stage that relationship is at, come along and get some tools that will help to make it better.	John Raymond

	15 (WED)	TBA David is a solicitor and GAMMA member.	David Emery

October	6 (WED)	Annual General Meeting (AGM) GAMMA's Annual General Meeting will be held tonight, followed by GAMMA Café. All are welcome. The meeting begins at 7:45 PM and runs until 8:15 PM. GAMMA Café A place for GAMMA members to socialize with friends and other like-minded men in a safe, relaxed environment. Open 8:15–9:30 PM.

	20 (WED)	GAMMA Forum Eric is a Master Clinician with the Australian Association of Relationship Counsellors. A Therapist in Private Practice and member of the GAMMA community, Eric will facilitate an informed and focused discussion around the relevant issues that arise from out of the men’s stories on the night.	Eric Hudson

November	3 (WED)	GAMMA Café A place for GAMMA members to socialize with friends and other like-minded men in a safe, relaxed environment. Open 8:00–9:30 PM.

	17 (WED)	TBA Tony is a consultant psychologist in private practice.	Tony Williams

December	1 (WED)	Managing the complexities of Christmas Geoff is a consultant psychologist in private practice.	Geoff Ballard

	15 (WED)	GAMMA Christmas Dinner Break-up dinner for GAMMA members.