Men get some healthy advice

Mark Spinks, chairman of the Babana Aboriginal Men's Group from Redfern, told The Koori Mail the sad fact confirmed that many Aboriginal men were simply falling through the health-care gaps.

"We had 112 men, and 15 of those admitted they didn't have a Medicare card. It makes you wonder how many more are out there," he said.

"Without a card they don't go to the doctors, then they've got diabetes or prostate cancer and the next thing you know they're under a knife,

"By the time they get into the health system they've already deteriorated which is extra costs for the health system.

"We can alleviate that by dealing with some of these problems early."

On the day, it was a problem easily rectified as a Medicare representative was on hand at the gathering to sign up the men.

Mr Spinks said the Aboriginal Men's Health Information Day held on Rodd Island proved a fantastic opportunity to deal with such issues.

Men from as far away as the NSW North Coast and Yass gathered to hear from health experts and motivational speakers.

Mr Spinks said it also provided a forum for the men to open up – some for the first time – about sensitive issues such as prostate cancer.

And while blokes generally have a reputation for ignoring health matters, he said organisers were pleasantly surprised at just how popular the gathering proved to be.

"We had to get another boat to get them all out to the island because we had more than expected," Mr Spinks said.

He said it was well known that Aboriginal men had 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," he said.

"However, it is also important for Aboriginal men to have a say about the way in which health messages are delivered.

Consultation

"Services and solutions to Aboriginal men's health issues are still being developed by government without input from and consultation with Aboriginal men."

It wasn't the first time the Babana group had met.

They held a domestic violence meeting during the Sorry Day week and are planning another get-together to tackle the issue of homelessness, on 10 April in Redfern.

Mr Spinks said that Babana (which is the Daruk word for brother) was doing some very positive things with very little funding.

"If we had funding we'd be able to do a lot more," he said.

The Men's Health Information Day was hosted by the Babana Aboriginal Men's Group in partnership with the Aboriginal Medical Service and the Tribal Warrior Maritime Training and Aboriginal Cultural Cruises, with assistance provided by South Eastern Sydney NSW Health, Mission Australia, CareConnect and Medicare Australia.