The Better Together project Better Together believes a better, stronger and thriving community is one where our youth and elders share resources and knowledge, solve common issues, generate wealth, socialise and play together e.g local seniors with student are in the process of making wooden surf boards, recording and sharing the process on line and then auctioning some of the finished board to help fund local Mens Sheds. This is happening now on the Mornington Peninsula Victoria

1. The Problem

2. 41,000 RESIDENTS ON THE PENINSULA
ARE OVER 65 YEARS (29% TOTAL RESIDENTS)

3. 25,500 ARE AGED 4 -24.
(25% TOTAL Residents)

4. Approximately 15% of Peninsula seniors
suffer depression raising to around 35 % in
residential aged care facilities*
One of the key drivers of
depression in older age is
loneliness
*http://www.beyondblue.org.au/resources/for-
me/older-people

5. Being lonely
- has the same negative health effects as
smoking 15 cigarettes/ day *
-is worse then obesity *
- you have a 64 per cent increased
chance of developing dementia ***http://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/loneliness-research/ and http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-
politics-24572231
** www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/threat-to-health

6. 20% of Yr 7 Students and
nearly 30% of students on
the Mornington Peninsula
suffer from Depression.
In 2013, almost 1 in 4 young said they
were sad, very sad or not happy
when asked to report how happy they
were with their life as a whole*
*http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/footer/stats-and-facts

7. Unfortunately there is an increasing
disconnect between the
Young and Older generations in our
community

8. The Solution and
Outcomes

9. Better Together believes a better, stronger and thriving
community is one where our youth and elders share
resources and knowledge, solve common issues, generate
wealth, socialise and play together

11. No senior should feel alone…
BETTER TOGETHER WILL
RECONNECT PENINSULA GENERATIONS
VIA 10 NEW INTERGENERATIONAL PROJECTS

12. No senior should feel alone…“ No Peninsula
senior should be
left behind or feel
alone by Dec 2016”

13. No senior should feel alone…“ 5% reduction in
youth depression
on Peninsula by
Dec 2016

14. Example Project
Mornington Men Shed/ Mount Eliza Secondary College Students Wooden
Surf Board making project in conjunction with Tree To Sea
Reconnecting Generations via traditional making skills, commence and
technology
Supported by The Rotary
Club of Mount Eliza
In conjunction with Tree
to Sea, Australia

15. Pilot Project
6 handmade wooden surf boards designed and
crafted in Mount Eliza by Men Shed members and
MESC students

16. Project Details
 16 Mornington Men Shed members have confirmed interest in being part of
project
 6 students from Mount Eliza Secondary Real Time Learning program to apply for
and then pair 1 on 1 with each Men’s Shed member to build wooden surf
boards in ½ day workshop in mid May 2015
 Boards to be crafted by Men Shed members and Students at Tree to Sea
workshop to ensure high quality and support of local board making business.
 Intergenerational Board making progress recorded by Mens Shed members and
shared on Better Together YouTube channel
 Boards painted by students and local aboriginal artists
 Community board wetting event at Mount Martha Surf Club
 5 finished boards sold a local farmers market with all proceeds to fund all
Peninsula Men Shed insurance and rent in 2016

17. Project Outcomes
• Reconnected Generations
• Surfboard making history
learnt
• Board Maker skills learnt by
both students and Men
Shed members
• Making journey shared
online
• Men Shed council fees paid
for 2016