The Babana group, an Aboriginal men’s organisation devoted
to improving the lives and futures of Indigenous men, called upon its brothers
in the community to come together and speak freely and honestly about their
personal experiences and doubts in regards to health and health institutions.
The men’s health information day began with a peaceful
cruise out to the island and a heartfelt welcome from the Babana group, Shane
Phillips of the Tribal Warrior declaring,
“This is our day to talk about things, our way”.
Aboriginal health levels lag far behind those of mainstream
society and Aboriginal men have the lowest life expectancy and poorest health
rates of all Australians.
“Increasing men’s awareness of health issues is fundamental
to improving Aboriginal men’s health,” Babana chairman Mark
Spinks said. “However, it is also important for
Aboriginal men to have a say about the way in which health messages are
delivered.”
The testimonies of the men present varied from person to
person, with men from all age groups and walks of life participating in the
discussions.
Despite this, sentiments of being “left out” and “not being
taken seriously” were concurrent with most of the men present as services and
solutions to Aboriginal men’s health issues continue to be developed by
government “without sufficient input from consultation with aboriginal men”.
“Culturally appropriate men’s groups, men’s spaces and
healing centres are an important part of the solution,” Mr Spinks told the
group. “Aboriginal communities need to be supported and the men in those
communities need to be empowered and given opportunities to develop their own
practical solutions to the issues affecting them, their families and their
community.”
Speakers (including league players David Peachey and Albert
Torrens …) addressed important health risks and spoke at length about the need
for men to have primary health screening checks including blood pressure and
blood sugar tests on a regular basis. Stalls also provided information on a
range of health issues including: dietrary health, general health and
wellbeing, prostate and other cancers, drug and alcohol use, sexual health,
relaxation and meditation.
Photo: Jack Carnegie
– Three generations of Aboriginal men on the way to the Men’s Health and
Wellbeing Expo
Source:
South Sydney Herald April 2008 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au