“Our day to talk about things, our way” – Babana hosts Men’s Health and Wellbeing Expo

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