“I thought this sort of
stuff was not for me and was sceptical at first. However, I enjoyed the
program, learnt lots and realise how what we are trying to create together has
the ability to assist people with a lot of their own self-healing and to take
control back of their lives and emotions,” says Shane Phillips, CEO Tribal
Warrior Association and Gamarada graduate.
The idea was inspired by
Shane’s passion for doing something new and positive in the community. Shane,
Ken Zulumovski, David Beaumont and Mark Carroll decided that it was important
to attempt to use ancient holistic principles and Aboriginal culture and
spiritual values to create a strong men’s self-healing space. David Leha joined
with Nathan Leslie and camera-man Mark Taylor. The training program was
completed in December 2007.
The program is currently
running each Monday night at the Community Centre Redfern, from 5.30 to 8.30pm.
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men are welcome to join any time, after they
agree to abide by the men’s group agreement and complete a nomination form.
“I have been interested in
looking at different ways that we can work on building emotional and inner
strength. We as a community have created this program and everyone who attends
takes an ownership of it and can join in the great feeling that we all receive
as a result of attending,” says Ken Zulumovski, worker in the field of
Aboriginal mental health and social and emotional well-being for 10 years.
Principles and techniques
such as breathing and relaxation, anger management and cultural healing
techniques are used. Compassion, honour, community service and increased
awareness are explored. This is being constantly enhanced by a strong
Aboriginal perspective, influence and now ownership of the program.
“Inspired by Shane, we
thought it was time to try and bring some men together, to share ownership and
wisdom and to create a healing space focusing more on the here and now and
where people want to go, to help begin a detoxification process not only of the
body and mind but perhaps even the spirit,” says Mark Carroll.
David Leha who performs as Radical
Son and conducts Gamarada anger management and healing sessions is paid for his
healing skills by the Government. He says, “For many years now, from a
background of anger, prison, violence and my own pain, I have learnt to open my
mind and to take in things which can help me with my own healing. Gamarada has
inspired and given me many new skills which I am now using to support others in
their own healing.”
There are various Aboriginal
men’s groups and programs in the community now. Some of these are Walking
Together Aboriginal program for people on probation or parole, Babana (www.treocom.net/babana/) which provides a powerhouse of men’s and community
events and is chaired by Mark Spinks
(note: all current Gamarada leaders are Babana members) and now Gamarada. All
of these programs are complementary and have their own distinctive way of
supporting Aboriginal men.
We are open to the community supporting Gamarada. You
can email us on gamarada07@yahoo.com. Or you can
email Ken on kenzulumovski@yahoo.com.au or David
on dbeaumont@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
for some more info about the program or look at our web page www.treocom.net/gamarada/.
Source:
South Sydney Herald June 2008 www.southsydneyherald.com.au