AS pubs, community groups and other traditional gathering places disappear, a growing men’s book club says regional communities are searching for new ways to bring people together.
Tough Guy Book Club (TGBC), which describes itself as the world’s largest men’s book club, has seen strong growth across regional Australia as men turn to its monthly meetings for books, conversation and, perhaps most importantly, friendship.
The Ipswich chapter meets at Eden Brewhouse in Redbank Plains at 7pm on the first Wednesday of the month and is a strong example of why groups like this are needed in regional communities to help support growth.
Founder Shay Leighton said conversations about what regional communities needed to thrive often overlooked the importance of places where people could regularly connect.
“We often talk about the infrastructure regional communities need to thrive, but that conversation usually stops at roads, housing and essential services,” Mr Leighton said.
“Communities also need regular places where people know they’ll see familiar faces. Those connections don’t happen by accident. They need somewhere to happen.”
The organisation now has 60 regional chapters, representing about 30 per cent of the club and supporting approximately 1200 members.
Attendance at regional chapters has increased by 30 per cent during the past 18 months, while five new regional chapters have been established this year.
The growth comes as Australian Bureau of Statistics Time Use Survey data shows men are significantly less likely than women to spend time reading on an average day.
Despite the growth of its regional network, the organisation said it continues to receive enquiries from men wanting to know how they can join a chapter closer to home.
TGBC said a lack of funding to recruit, train and support volunteer leaders is preventing it from reaching some communities.
