PROSPECTUS
Good to Great
FATHERING COURSE
SAS Training Programme
The course training programme is modelled on the Australian SAS training programme. Many of the
assignments are easy but there will be some that your participants may find very hard to complete. This
will vary from person to person.
More than Just a Fatherhood Course
You will be required to exert enormous force of heart and soul. Only a strong commitment to the end
goal will carry you through. The end goal is what your children need: an involved, loving, responsible
and committed father. You can always be replaced in your work place, but you can never be replaced as
a father. Every young child believes that his/her father is the best dad in the world. Good to Great is all
about making that a reality.
The Dads4Kids ‘Good to Great’ Fathering Course is primarily a fatherhood course, but it is also a
relationship course, marriage course, self-development for men course, leadership course, how-to-be-agreat-husband course, men's health course, sexual integrity course and a how-to-have-fun-with-yourchildren course.
The Journey of Good to Great
The most critical thing to remember is that the Dads4Kids ‘Good to Great’ Fathering Course is a journey,
not a destination. Whenever we think that we have arrived, that is usually the moment we start to go
backwards. The price of safety is eternal vigilance. Jim Collins, author of 'Built to Last' and 'Good to
Great' says:
‘Good is the enemy of great’ and that is one of the key reasons why so little around us becomes great.
We don't have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don't have great
government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part
because it is just so easy to settle for a good life. The vast majority of companies never become great,
precisely because the vast majority become quite good - and that is their main problem.’
You are reading this prospectus because you realise that being good, is not good enough. You are
considering making an application to do the Dads4Kids Good to Great Fathering Course because you
believe your children deserve the best!
We are here to help you achieve it.
Only apply if you dare!
Warwick Marsh
Dads4Kids
Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation
National Head Quarters, PO Box 542 Unanderra NSW 2526
Web: www.fatherhood.org.au Email: info@fatherhood.org.au
Tel: 02 4272 6677 Mob: 0418 225 212
Good to Great
FATHERING COURSE
WHAT IS GOOD TO GREAT?
The Dads4Kids ‘Good to Great Fathering Course’ is the revolutionary approach to combating the crisis in
Australian fatherhood which is affecting our children. The Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation, based in
Wollongong Australia, is pioneering this innovative advance in fatherhood training. The Dads4Kids Good
to Great Fathering Course was officially launched on a national level during the tour of the ‘Absent’ movie
across Australia. The Australian ‘Bring Back Fatherhood’ Absent National Premier Film Tour, sponsored by
Dads4Kids, took place from 13-30 June 2013. The tour visited Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra,
Hobart, Adelaide, and Perth as well as seven regional centres.
Dads4Kids brought the award winning producer of this documentary, Justin Hunt, to Australia to tour
with the film, in order to create strong media interest about the importance of fathers. The movie
‘Absent’ has won four Best Documentary Awards at various film festivals, numerous other film awards
and has been featured in national news stories in the USA and other parts of the world.
One of the reasons ‘Absent’ has attracted national and international media attention is the fact that one
of the many fathers interviewed in the documentary is James Hetfield, the lead singer of the band
‘Metallica’. James Hetfield well knows the pain of fatherlessness. His dad walked out on him when he was
12 years old.
The film also features the story of former world boxing champion Johnny Tapia along with interviews
with John Eldredge, best selling author of ‘Wild at Heart’ and many others. ‘Absent’ may be purchased
from Koorong Books.
Almost one million Australian children are growing up in a home without their biological father. Time and
research has shown that this is not the optimum environment for children to grow up in. Many children
and indeed adults, carry a father-wound inflicted by careless or uninvolved fathers. Many of the men who
are now fathers still feel the old wounds inflicted by their own father. The challenge is to break this
generational cycle and create a better place for our children. Mothers will also reap the benefits of more
involved and committed fathers. We are talking about education, support, recognition and a mutual
sense of achievement for groups of men who together strive for excellence in the most important task of
their lives. Men partnering together for a fathering breakthrough.
The Dads4Kids Good to Great Fathering Course is all about inspiring and equipping fathers to go to the
next level as a dad. Every young child believes that his or her father is the best dad in the world. The
Dads4Kids Good to Great Fathering Course is about preparing fathers to prove their children right, one
family at a time.
Course Content
Knowledge empowers people to rise above their circumstances. The Dads4Kids Fatherhood Good to
Great Course provides foundational information and skills to assist men in understanding and prioritising
their relationships. This course deals with the core issues of affective fathering. Core topics addressed will
include:
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keys for success
goal setting
love & marriage
building relationships
building values
listening /communicating
conflict resolution
unconditional love
fun & laughter
secret of forgiveness
learning lessons
learning to say sorry
humour & health
exercise & food
key to friendship
spiritual foundations
honour and respect
equality
servant leadership
lifelong mentoring
power of praise
rites of passage
sexual integrity
managing testosterone
mystery of sex
mystery of fatherhood
time management
Course Structure
Structure of the course is as follows: Training is conducted in small groups with a heavy emphasis on
interactive and experiential learning. Fatherhood mentors will provide hands-on practical advice for the
challenge of moving to a greater level of fathering excellence. The course runs for ten weeks. An extra
week is included at the conclusion of the course for the Graduation and Family Celebration Night.
The course will commence at 7.00 pm and conclude at approximately 9.30 pm. The first hour will be
allocated to a video speaker possibly followed by Q & A.
A 15 minute break for tea and coffee will follow.
The final period is allocated to group work, written questions, discussion, field exercises and reporting
sessions.
The training regime is tough and a high level of commitment is expected and required. Entry
requirements likewise are high to help ensure successful completion of the course without missing a
session. Dads4Kids believes that encouraging a sense of camaraderie and mateship between fathers
during the training will aid in dissemination of the benefits of this course to those fathers who are unable
to undertake the training themselves. Personal recommendation is still the best advertisement.
The course is designed around practical components or ‘field exercises’. Activities are designed to
activate positive fathering skills such as strengthening effective communications with your children and
romancing your wife will help build excellence in fathering. Skills and knowledge learned or applied
during exercises, together with strong peer and mentoring support will make this a challenging and
fruitful learning experience.
The Dads4Kids Good to Great Fathering Course is modelled on the training plan of Australia’s elite Special
Forces, the SAS. The SAS is recognised as one of the very best elite military forces in the world. Those
who survive the training regime are the best of the best, proficient, disciplined and committed leaders.
Likewise successful applicants for the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Good to Great training program must be
confident, capable men, passionate for excellence as fathers and able to lead other men in the offensive
against the threats posed to our children by fatherlessness, dysfunction and complacency.
Course Details
Course Information & Promotions
The official Dads4Kids ‘Good to Great’ Fathering Course is usually auspiced under a local church or
community group. The optimum size of the group doing the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Course should be 12
course applicants with three committed mentor trainers. The one to four ratio always applies and it is a
mandatory requirement. Usually each course requires a minimum of three to six committed men who
help facilitate the course as mentors, trainers and helpers. Ideally this can develop into a local chapter of
Dads4Kids or an informal “band of Brothers”. Having a small core team in each locality is critical for each
courses success. At least one of the members of the core team will have done the Dads4Kid Train the
Trainer Summit and be at Minimum a certified Associate Trainer. It is ideal that at least two or three of
the core team members will have completed the Dads4Kid Train the Trainer course but this is not always
possible.
The cost of the Good to Great Fathering Course is $250. This investment is far greater for all concerned
than the fees charged so any help at a local level is greatly appreciated. Many dads have made gift to help
other fathers do the course at a reduced rate. The $250 fee includes the Course workbook and
supporting Course Curriculum on DVD and in written form. It is suggested that any catering is BYO or
allocated on a roster system over the ten nights to help reduce costs. The Course price has been heavily
subsidised by Dads4Kids. In private industry such a high level self-development course would be priced at
approximately $1,500.
Course Author
Warwick Marsh, founder of the Dads4kids Fatherhood Foundation is an accredited workplace trainer and
has put the course together with Certification in workplace training as the model for the course so that
key competencies as a father are identified and attained. Warwick's main goal is to equip course trainers.
The core goal is that the course program will be facilitated by at least one approved Dads4Kids Course
Trainer with a team of enthusiastic and committed assistant facilitators and mentors. The Good to Great
speakers are recorded on Video DVD for ease of portability. Warwick has been married to his wife Alison
since 1975. They have five children between 21 and 33 years of age. Warwick has a solid track record of
credentials in human relations, training and communication. During 24 years working for causes in the
non-profit sector he has received much recognition including the award by the Governor General of the
Centenary Medal for community service. As well as being a recognised international speaker on marriage
and fatherhood, Warwick is the editor of ‘Fathersonline’ a weekly inspirational email for busy fathers. The
success of the inaugural National Strategic Conference on Fatherhood in Parliament House in 2003 was
founded largely on the dreams and efforts of Warwick and Alison Marsh and others who share a vision
for the excellence of Australian fathering. They believe it is time for society, business, church and
government to address the needs of Australian fathers, families and children because “Our future is Our
children”. The ‘Good to Great’ Fathering Course features input from many of Australia’s foremost
authorities and speakers on fatherhood including international input.
Course Requirements
Places in the Good to Great Fathering Course are strictly limited. Most times people are turned away
because of mandatory restrictions on trainer to applicant ratios so we encourage you to be quick with
your application. Priority consideration is given to those who are first to apply, although every application
will be judged on its own merit. The sacrifice of undertaking Good to Great will be considerable and the
benefits immediate. The long term gain to your family and children will be immeasurable and will last for
lifetimes to come.
It is usual practice to hold a Course information barbecue night or dinner with a guest speaker on
fatherhood as a way to explain the course and help people make a decision to attend the ten week
course. It is expected that all course participants will commit to full attendance over the ten week
period. The Celebration Graduation Ceremony is also of critical importance for you and your family. Full
attendance, including participation in the Family Fun Night for dads and their children and the Dad & Kids
Camp Out Fri Night & Saturday day, at suitable camp site or caravan park, will contribute to a high level
distinction gold star pass.
Course commitment by attendees is a critical component for successful completion of the course. Your
attendance will be recorded. Ages of children and family schedules will have to be taken into account
with the additional fun activities. Individual family needs can be catered for, but this must be confirmed
by prior arrangement with course trainer to avoid course disqualification for Good to Great attendees.
Course attendance and completion of weekly field exercises is a vital part of each attendee's success and
graduation.
Basic Requirements for those who commit to the Good to Great Course
1) Commitment to Good to Great Core Values.
2) Commitment to Course Requirements.
3) Commitment to complete all course homework.
4) Commitment to full time course attendance.
5) You must take your wife away for a romantic night getaway.
7) You must turn the TV off and eat dinner together as a family every night where possible.
8) You must have one night / meal per week as a family dinner
For more information, contact the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation
National Head Quarters, PO Box 542 Unanderra NSW 2526
Web: www.fatherhood.org.au Email: info@fatherhood.org.au
Tel: 02 4272 6677 Mob: 0418 225 212
Good to Great
FATHERING COURSE
Sample of Course Dates
7 - 9.30 pm - Wednesdays
Venue – Usually the auspicing church or community organisation:
5 September
12 September
19 September
22 September - Saturday 6pm Family Fun Night
26 September
no session - school holidays - 3 October
no session - school holidays - 10 October
17 October
24 October
26 & 27 October - Dad & Kids Camp Out
31 October
7 November
14 November
21 November
28 November - Graduation
Additional Activities
1) Family Fun Night for Dad and the Kids
Saturday 22 September
Venue – Usually the auspicing church or community organisation:
6 pm BYO Pot Luck Dinner
7.15 pm Fun Night Concert
All family members welcome
2) Dad & Kids Camp Out
Friday night and Saturday day - 26 & 27 October
Venue – Bush Campsite or Caravan Park
Information attached
Pay your own fees / BYO food
3) Graduation Celebration Night
Wednesday 28 November
Good to Great
FATHERING COURSE
Learning Strategy
Adult males prefer learning situations which are:
Practical and problem centred
Promote their positive self esteem
Integrate new ideas with existing knowledge
Show respect for the individual learner
Capitalise on their experience
Allow choice and self direction
Schedule and Session Times
Good to Great is a 21/2hour course held over 10 weeks (usually on a week night). It is designed for
twelve participants with three fatherhood mentors who mentor 4 fathers each over the ten week
period.
Each weekly training session will start at 7.00 pm and finish at 9.30 pm.
On completion of the course an informal graduation celebration night with stories from wives,
family members and fathers will be held for all graduates to attend. Formal awards will be
presented to mark the achievement of the completion of the Good to Great Fathering Excellence
Course. Successful completion will entail attendance at all ten sessions and successful completion
and reporting of all field exercises within the programme.
Session Times
Part One will be from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm and will consist of a guest lecturer in situ or on
widescreen video from Course DVD set. Some examples of the guest lecturers on DVD are
previous Australian Father of the Year Awardees, doctors, ministers, authors, businessmen,
academics and ordinary Aussie dads.
The lecture phase will go for approximately an hour with speakers sharing their own life
experiences, the good the bad, the triumphs and the difficulties, strategies for success with
excellence in fathering development as the end goal. A break of 15 min will follow.
Part Two will go from 8:15PM – 9:30PM and consist of a Key Assignment / Exercise Challenge –
Why & Wherefore, followed by group discussion and reflection with an individual report by each
group member. The emphasis will be on experiential learning with successful completion of key
field exercise components. This will confirm competency.
For more information, contact the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation
National Head Quarters, PO Box 542 Unanderra NSW 2526
Web: www.fatherhood.org.au Email: info@fatherhood.org.au
Tel: 02 4272 6677 Mob: 0418 225 212
Good to Great
FATHERING COURSE
DVD Curriculum Plan and Key Competencies
Week 1
Speaker: Dr Allan Meyer (4 children). CEO Careforce Lifekeys.
Tools for Change & Goals for Life – the road to fatherhood success: the importance of
vision, conviction, discipline, endurance and goal setting.
Week 2
Speaker: Dr Bruce Robinson (4 children). Professor of Medicine, Western Australia and
author of 'Fathering from the Fast Lane' and ‘Daughters and their Dads’.
Friendship & Fun with Your Family - being there, unconditional love and making your
children feel special.
Week 3
Speaker: Rhett Morris (5 children). Founder ‘Bulletproof People’ – management and
communications consultant.
Good to Great Fathers - listening & communication: the art of servant leadership and the
importance of having a sense of humour.
Week 4
Speaker: Dr John Tickell (5 children). Medical Doctor, international speaker, bestselling
author and television personality.
The Stress of Success: living longer, eating right, laughter, health, rest and self
development as a man and father.
Week 5
Speaker: Darren Lewis (4 children). Founder of ‘Fathering Adventures’, 2012 Queensland
Father of the Year.
Honour & Respect – the power of appreciation thanks and praise.
Week 6
Speaker: Brian D. Molitor (4 children). Management consultant USA and founder of
Malachi Global.
Boy's Passage Man's Journey - lifelong mentoring, intentional blessing and rites of passage
for sons and daughters.
Week 7
Speaker: Paul Bartlett (3 children) CEO of Lighthouse Church, former Project Manager in
the building industry.
Love Your Wife - the greatest thing you can do for your children.
Week 8
Speaker: Brigadier Jim Wallace (2 children). Retired Commander in Chief of Australia's SAS,
former MD Australian Christian Lobby.
Leadership Secrets - the importance of values and the need for integrity in leadership.
Week 9
Speaker: Dr Allan Meyer (4 children). CEO Careforce Lifekeys.
Sexual Integrity - managing testosterone in a highly sexualised world, the keys to
becoming a valiant man.
Week 10
Speaker: Warwick Marsh (5 children). Founder of Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation.
The Mystery of Fatherhood - the role of the father in the family and the importance of
spiritual foundations. Secrets for success and the power of love.
Week 11:
Graduation Celebration
7 pm (Date to be advised) – BYO light supper provided.
All wives, children and family welcome.
Please Note: This programme is a guide and is subject to change in the event of unforseen circumstances.
For more information, contact the Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation
National Head Quarters, PO Box 542 Unanderra NSW 2526
Web: www.fatherhood.org.au Email: info@fatherhood.org.au
Tel: 02 4272 6677 Mob: 0418 225 212
Good to Great
FATHERING COURSE
Competency Plans Developed and Completed
Individual / Marriage / Family / Fatherhood
Goal Setting Plan
completed
Fun with Dad times
completed
Children Friendship Strategy
completed
Listening and Communication Field Exercise
completed
Servant Leadership Exercise
completed
Letter of Thanks and Appreciation
completed
Health and Self Development Plan
completed
Romantic Weekend with Wife
completed
Forgiveness Exercise
completed
Sexual Integrity Exercise
completed
Values and Integrity Exercise
completed
Rites of Passage Discussion
completed
Fun Weekend with Children
completed
Consideration of Spiritual Dynamics
completed
Consideration of the Mystery of Fatherhood
completed