The History of the YMCA

George Williams, a 22 year old drapery merchant, made up his mind that something had to be done. He gathered together a few friends to form a society that met regularly to support each other and gain renewed strength in body, mind and spirit. The Group called itself the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).  

The idea of a YMCA caught on quickly. Within 10 years, 38 Associations had formed across 8 countries in Europe. 

From its inception, through to the early 1900s, the focus was on the welfare of young men, and related social concerns. The structure was loose and informal, based on small associations of people. All the work was carried out by committed volunteers. There was a strong sense of fellowship and common bond between associations - and this eventually led to the development of the World Alliance of YMCAs in 1855.

Along with the economic boom of the late 1800s, the YMCA began to attract significant philanthropists and leading business people to support its works. Associations began to develop a corporate structure, replacing the informal structures of the past. In the 1890s, the YMCA employed its first professional staff.

In 1851, the Movement arrived in America. Also in 1851, on the back of the gold rush, the YMCA arrived in Adelaide Australia.

The "Adelaide branch of the London YMCA" opened on the 15th March 1851; in 1853 Melbourne and Sydney YMCAs appeared; in 1854 Hobart opened. Brisbane started in 1875. In 1876, the first 'Inter-Association Conference of the Australian YMCA' was conducted and in 1877 the 'Inter-Colonial Convention of the Australian and New Zealand YMCA' was formed. 1908 saw the Y start in Perth.

1920 saw the separation of Australia and New Zealand Associations and the 'National Committee of the YMCAs of Australia' came into being.

From the mid 1930s to the early 1960s, YMCAs were forced by depression and world war to revert to their original foundations of social and community concern, with emphasis on youth work, youth clubs, physical development, leadership training, education and welfare. A more ecumenical flavour began to take over from the evangelistic leanings of the past.

During the war era, the YMCA played an important role in caring for the troops - both prior to departure, and on the battlefields. YMCA staff serviced the digger's needs for recreation, postal services, and small comforts from home.

As Australia moved into the latter part of the 1900s, all levels of Government began to take more responsibility for areas which had traditionally been the domain of organisations such as the Y. Increasingly, YMCAs became more involved in the task of delivery of community services for all sectors of the community, as a valued and trusted partner. At the same time, the 'for profit' sector began to move in on areas traditionally recognised as community services - such as community health and wellbeing, child care and education.

Today, the YMCA has seven core service areas:

• Health & Wellbeing
• Sport & Recreation
• Aquatics
• Youth Services
• Children's Services
• Camping & Outdoor Education
• Accommodation

Information courtesy of www.ymca.org.au

The Festive Season

So I've now written quite a few articles talking about various topics including men’s health, time chunking, and small changes you can make to your everyday life which can have big impacts to your health. I'm now curious to know your feedback and how you have gone implementing some of those changes.

When we have lived our entire lives a certain way, it can be hard to change those habits even if we know our current habits can be detrimental to our health. Life is full of changes, some are small which we don't even notice while others are quite large; which we struggle to get use to, or we fight against making that change. I know it can be hard but you just need to be persistent, stay mentally strong and tell yourself you can do it. The changes I've suggested in previous articles may have been big changes for some of you and you may be having difficulty adapting to those changes, just hang in there and never give up. As humans we need to perform certain tasks numerous times before they become a habit. 

With the festive season fast approaching, making any more changes will be difficult, our normal daily routines are thrown out because some of us are on holidays while others only work a couple of days instead of the full week. Part of that routine they you miss out on is coming to the gym or attending a class. So here are some tips to help keep you working towards your goals while still enjoying yourself over the festive period.

1. Don't over eat - if your family gatherings are anything like mine then there is always plenty of food around so definitely enjoy yourself but try not to over eat.

2. Drink plenty of water - sometimes with all the celebrations we tend not to drink much water and if the weather is quite warm it doesn't take us long to become dehydrated so please make sure you keep yourself well hydrated

3. Maintain some sort of physical activity - there are many of you that will be holidaying somewhere and won't be attending the gym which is ok, we all need some time off. But that doesn't stop us from keeping are bodies moving. Walking along the beach is one example of something you can do. Resistance bands are a fantastic piece of equipment to take and use while on holiday. It's small, lightweight and doesn't take up much room.

4. Enjoy yourselves - having some time off is great for our mental health and gives us time to freshen up so have fun and enjoy – you deserve it!

Tristan Simmons

Healthy Living Director - Mill Park Leisure

   

White Ribbon Day - Monday 25th November 2013

November 25 marks both the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and White Ribbon Day, the first day of the White Ribbon Campaign.

Anywhere from one-quarter to one-third, and even up to one-half, of Australian women will experience physical or sexual violence by a man at some point in their lives, as nationally representative surveys have found.

 

On Monday 25^th November starting at 6pm YMCA Whittlesea is hosting a BBQ at Mill Park Leisure to help raise funds and awareness to show our support for the White Ribbon Foundation. Come along and show your support, all we ask is everyone who attends donates a gold coin and wears something white on the night. If you are unable to make the BBQ but still want to contribute we have White Ribbons and Wrist bands available at reception.  In the week leading up to the BBQ, we’ll have a ‘swear ‘board where you’ll be able to swear your oath to stop violence against women. We hope to see everyone there.

 

For more information on the White Ribbon Foundation please click the link below.

http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/

Gluten - Everyone's Enemy?

The Gut – our second brain

Before I launch into the low down on gluten, I really need to explain a little about the gut. For most of us the gut is a mystery, food goes in one end and comes out the other, but the gut is much more than a nutrient processing station. In fact, our gut health is thought to be associated with almost every health condition including depression, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, autism and the list goes on. The gut is actually a sensitive organ that has more nerves than the rest of the peripheral nervous system. In addition, the gut is part of the immune system and makes more immunological decisions in one day than the rest of the immune system in a lifetime, hard to believe I know. A large proportion of the Australian population suffer from gut and digestive problems and many have been diagnosed with “leaky gut syndrome”.

Leaky gut – what does it really mean?

Leaky gut, is not taught in mainstream medicine and from a scientific perspective is a grey area, but more and more Australians are being diagnosed with this condition based on a number of gut symptoms. These symptoms include bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, and aches and pains. In alternative medicine, the proposed medical condition is caused by substances migrating outwards through the gut wall. Our gut wall is an important barrier that protects our gut and controls what can pass through into our bloodstream. When this barrier is weakened (or “leaky”), things pass through the wall that should not such as break down products from gluten. It is thought that this promotes an immune reaction leading to mild to severe gut symptoms and potentially severe health conditions.

Why is gluten such a big problem?

Gluten is a relatively new protein for humans as it has only been part of our diet since agriculture began 10,000 years ago. This may sound like a long time, but in evolutionary terms it is not. Gluten cannot be completely digested in humans and breaks down to a product called Gliadin. Gliadin aggravates our gut, immune system and can be toxic to our cells.  So, gluten is actually not good for any of us. The difference is some people can tolerate it and others can’t. The immune system is thought to be the factor that allows for this difference in tolerance. For those who experience gut symptoms after eating gluten the answer is simple, avoid gluten. The large increase in gluten free foods in our supermarkets, cafes and health food shops clearly shows that the demand for gluten free products. However, don’t forget to read nutrition labels because many supermarket gluten free foods are packed with sugar, even the supermarket gluten free breads have sugar in them.

 

The good news is that if you have been diagnosed with leaky gut avoiding gluten can help restore your gut health. If you do eliminate gluten from your diet and still experience gut problems you may have other food sensitivities such as dairy or sugar, which I will explain in the next blog.

Dr D J

Dr Denise Furness, PhD BSc RNut REP
Registered Nutritionist & Personal Trainer with Mill Park Leisure

 

Acknowledgment: Much of the gut health information in this blog was obtained during the “Clinical advances in the treatment of digestive disorders” Seminar October-November 2013, Metagenics, Melbourne.

Interview: Krystal Guerra - Personal Trainer at Mill Park Leisure

I was born on the 6^th of November 1991, here in Melbourne. I grew up in Mill Park and still live in Mill Park with my parents Joe, Helen, also my two brothers - Jason (24) and Cameron (19) whom I share the same birthday with but we are three years apart.

When I was just 5 years old I used to snore, it was so loud my parents could hear me from the other end of the house, even with my bedroom door closed. In the end I was in need of an operation to get my tonsils and adenoids out, so that I breathe properly due to my small airways. Post operation I had a few complications leading to me being back in hospital multiple times. At one point my parents were told that they may lose me; thankfully I overcome the situation and slowly recovered.

I went to primary school at St Francis of Assisi and then moved on the high school at St Monica’s College. Through my whole schooling period I was always a tomboy - while all the other girls were off doing cartwheels and handstands, I would be out on the oval with the boys playing footy or soccer. Still to this day, I rather be outside playing sports than doing my hair or my nails. I love watching all footy, but most of all I love my boys down at Carlton. GO BLUES!

I completed my Diploma in Fitness at Victoria University and after finishing my Diploma I went into running a successful Personal Training franchise at Fitness First in Epping. I was there for a year and just before they closed down I left. This now brings me to Mill Park Leisure, where I have learnt so much and worked in most areas of the centre. I have made many lifelong friends and I look forward to helping everyone here at Mill Park Leisure to achieve their goals - no matter how big or small we all work together to get the results that each individual is looking for.

1. What do you do?
I work in a few different areas at Mill Park Leisure - in the Gym as a Gym Instructor and a Personal Trainer, I work  in Customer Service and also in Disability Services. I have also worked previously as a Swim Teacher.

2. What is your definition of success?
Success to me is achieving results, big or small, moving in a forward motion in a happy and healthy manner.

3. I think we can sometimes learn from the mistakes we make. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made along the way? What did you learn from this?
I have made mistakes along the way - I think that everyone makes mistakes, but this is good because you learn from them and then grow with what you have learnt. My biggest mistake so far would have to be that fact that I have trouble saying “NO”, by me trying to please everyone and fit everyone in when it suits them it was taking a toll on my body. By giving them a few different options that worked for me gave them enough of a chance to pick what suited them also. I was working too long of a day and not getting the down time my body needed. I now know only to do what I can handle.

4. What are the top 5 tips you’d give the average person wanting to improve business performance?

• Never give up
• Up-skill all the time
• Check out the competition
• Be organised
• Have goals in place

5. What do you think has enabled you to achieve success with the health and fitness industry?
The main reason for my success would have to be my love for the sport and fitness industry, secondly a great support system from my teachers at school through to work colleagues and most importantly my family and friends at home.

6. Who has the greatest influence on your career and what lessons did they teach you?
The greatest influence for my career would have to be my exercise prescription teacher when I was doing my Diploma. He taught me almost everything I know about the industry, but he also gave me the little tips for my sessions that make the difference. I still think of things that he says to this day in every one of my personal training sessions, it could be for anything about training to building rapport with clients.  

7. After a great result, how do you celebrate?
I would usually celebrate with family and friends with a dinner or a night out.

8. What do you do outside of work to relax and wind down?
Outside of work I catch up with friends, relax with family (having cooking days with my Nonna). I also play soccer so train on Tuesdays and Thursdays and then game day Sundays.

9. Now’s the time for what we call turbo 10. Ten quick questions….
What your favourite song? Pink, so what.

• Favourite athlete? Andrew Walker
• Movie? Step Brothers
• Food? Fairy Floss
• Holiday destination? Europe, I am going in 2014!!!
• Most recently read book? I haven’t read a book since high school, I do read the paper.
• What really annoys you? When people scratch their fork or knife on the plate and make the screeching sound.
• If you could do anything that you wanted; what would it be? I would be a Personal Trainer for a singer or some kind of famous person - that way I could travel around the world while working a job that I love!
• The one thing you would like to change in the world right now? For everyone to pass away old and peacefully in their sleep.
• Where would you like to be in 5 years? All I want is to  be happy and healthy making a living of something I love to do.