Mr Perfect Echuca member Adam Leviston and host Peter Heywood at Apex Park where the Mr Perfect monthly barbecues are held. Photo: Supplied
Echuca-Moama is a thriving community that is only growing. One of the many reasons people love the region is the multitude of groups they can be a part of. To help you find the right group, check out our ‘Why not join ...’ series each week, where we focus on a community group.
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In today’s edition, Emily Donohoe speaks to Mr Perfect.
A long-time holidayer in the region, when Peter Heywood moved to Echuca for good, he wanted to find a place to build meaningful connections.
After stumbling across Mr Perfect, a men’s support group offering ‘more than a bbq’, he now hosts the events, inviting men in the community for a coffee, a snag and a chat.
Mr Perfect was founded by Sydneysider Terry Cornick in 2016, who was experiencing mental health issues, but on the surface he appeared to be ‘Mr Perfect’.
Finding that other men in his life were suffering in silence, he saw a gap for a space for men to connect with one another and open up if they wish.
There, Mr Perfect was born, a monthly barbecue to foster friendships and provide support now with a presence in more than 30 locations nationwide.
Former host Andy Rogers brought the initiative to Echuca-Moama around five years ago, setting up the barbecues at the Apex Park in Echuca along with monthly coffee at Beechworth Bakery.
Upon moving to Echuca, Mr Heywood caught wind of the Mr Perfect initiative and decided to head along.
“I saw a poster in a cafe for Mr Perfect,” he said.
“I went along and met Andy, the host at the time, and a couple of the other Mr Perfect members.
‘’It was a great way for me to start getting involved with the community.
“I had been coming to Echuca for a long time, but I never had to connect because it was always on holidays.
“When I decided to move here, I had to find interests and I didn’t know how to go about it. Mr Perfect was a perfect way for me to connect with the community.”
The Mr Perfect crew meet twice a month, with a free barbecue on the first Sunday of each month at Apex Park, and a free coffee on the third Friday at Beechworth Bakery.
Each catch-up looks different, with numbers changing from meeting-to-meeting, attracting around 15 to 40 people. There is also a core group who come consistently.
Conversations also change, from small group discussions about the football or everyone pitching in about the weather, to more open one-on-one chats.
“Somebody might turn up as a new person, and they just want to talk to somebody about issues they’re having,” Mr Heywood said.
“It could be addiction, family issues, going through divorce, personal injury, being retrenched at work.
“We’re not trained counsellors, but if they need help we offer counselling services.
“We can just be an ear. Generally people just sit around and chat at the barbecue.”
Mr Heywood has found roots in town through his time being involved in Mr Perfect.
He also found friendships, with the group often connecting outside the regular sessions, heading to movie screenings, dinners and lunches.
“I personally meet with a few of the Mr Perfect people out of Mr Perfect because we’ve formed a bond and a natural friendship,” he said.
Every coffee, sausage and can of soft drink is free, with funding provided by the national Mr Perfect team.
Tobin Brothers also made a donation in July to the group as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations, and Beechworth Bakery continues to support the group.
To learn more about Mr Perfect and get involved, reach out to host Peter Heywood on 0419 897 416 or email pcheywood@icloud.com
Alternatively, head along to their monthly barbecue at Apex Park, 318 High St, Echuca from 10.30am to 12.30pm on the first Sunday of each month, or their monthly coffee catch-up at Beechworth Bakery, 513 High St, Echuca, at 1pm on the third Friday of each month. Partners or friends of any gender are welcome as support.
