About Us

Melbourne/The Vintage Men - Matrix Radio Show - Listen to JOY 94.9 - www.joy.org.au - Streaming on the Internet (to check times please click "Our Calendar") .

 VINTAGE MEN is a Social and Support group for Mature Gay and Bisexual Men and their friends. .

The Melbourne Skyline.

As we mature our lifestyles change. Some of these changes are dictated by ourselves and the values we place on ourselves as we refine and reassess our lifestyles. Other changes are focused on us by outside influences - e.g. Society's attitudes, financial status, discrimination and ageism. The problems these changes create are sharply defined in the Gay Community and can result in isolation and alienation. The excessive homophobic influences in our past have left the indelible mark on our psychological make up. Relationships become more complex and we often blame our own eccentricities or imagined inadequacies for this.

Many men in the self evaluation of mid-life seriously address their sexual orientation for the first time. They may suffer from apprehension, confusion, guilt, ignorance, loneliness and no knowledge of where to turn to for understanding.

For all of us the AIDS pandemic has necessitated a need for education and reassessment of our sexual practices. This is particularly hard for the older person after a lifetime of learned behavior; and can be further exacerbated by changes in our sex drive and society's misconception that one becomes nonsexual after a certain age.

We still have a need for acceptance, emotional support, love and closeness. The community is aging generally and the numbers of older people are growing in proportion. We are not to be underestimated. our place in the community doesn't diminish as we get older. If anything we are needed more than ever before.

We have to supply a role model so that younger men can aspire to and motivate them to look forward to their senior years. Our wisdom, experience, friendship and affection for each other makes us attractive and strong. We must maintain a dignified and high profile, thereby combating ageism, fostering respect for ourselves and earning respect from all others. We cannot and must not, settle for less than our self respect tells us.
By passing on our personal survival skills we can benefit others.

Vintage Men at a BBQ on the banks of the Yarra River

VINTAGE MEN is a social, support and education group whose philosophy incorporates the foregoing. If you feel you would like to be part of the group, then contact us via email or phone. Come along to one of our meetings, you will find we will make you welcome and at ease - soon you will be part of the group.

And here is some of our history...

Vintage Men was originally formed in 1992 through the auspices of the Victorian Aids Council and Mr. David Samson who believed that older gay men needed to be made aware of the dangers of unsafe sex just as much as the younger generation.

Through hard work, a small group was formed who over the next years helped to foster an organization that grew from a small group to one that now has members across Australia as well as throughout the world.

Vintage Men is affiliated with Prime Timers World Wide Inc. and has special links with the City of Port Phillip.

The City of Port Phillip has become a major sponsor for Vintage Men providing it with a yearly grant as well as a home for meetings at the Betty Day Centre in St Kilda.

Vintage Men in return not only advertises the City of Port Phillip as its major sponsor but also takes an active part in the many events that occur throughout the calendar year, as well as having members of its board sit on committees for the City of Port Phillip's Seniors programs.

Vintage Men is an active member of Pride Victoria and also the Council on the Ageing.

Vintage Men's yearly calendar endeavors to foster ideas that allow members the chance to partake of many and varied activities.

Vintage Men has always had a very active board of management and believes that by moving into the world wide web with its own web site can only improve its ability to reach all aged gay and bi-sexual men and look at ways to be of assistance and hope for this group.

Vintage men also has affiliations with several groups throughout Australia through their public relations data base.

SPONSORS.