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Brothers, where art thou?

For some, it is difficult to imagine a distinct and perpetual disempowerment within one’s own community. Yet according to 62-year-old Donald Clark, a Darlington-born man who has dedicated the majority of his adult life to issues of social justice, many Aboriginal men are plagued by feelings of non-involvement and isolation. The SSH spoke to Mr Clark about social exclusion and what the Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group is doing to combat it reports Laura Bannister in the South Sydney Herald of March 2010.

Since its first meeting in March 2006, the community-run assemblage, Babana (a word meaning “brother” in the Dharuk language), has sought to provide positive networking opportunities and development activities for local Aboriginal men. These have included a two-day forum on men’s domestic violence, an ongoing breakfast club and an upcoming computer literacy program.

Having felt “a little worn out and jaded” after over 30 years of involvement in volunteer organisations (mainly centring around drug and alcohol addiction, gay rights and HIV/AIDS), Mr Clark admits he was reluctant to attend his first Babana meeting.

“[At the time] it seemed that the more you tried, the less things changed, particularly in Aboriginal social justice work,” Mr Clark says. Yet it wasn’t long before he understood Babana’s vision was worth more than just his dutiful role of seat filler at a single meeting. “I realised that Babana … did not want to just look at men and men’s issues,” Mr Clark says. “Although still in its infancy, Babana [hoped] that any changes men made in themselves would also be reflected in their community.”

At the group’s monthly meetings there are approximately 40-50 members in attendance. The criteria for involvement is simple. “It is enough that people want to be with us, that people want to learn [and get a] better perspective on life and what it has to offer,” Mr Clark says. “Babana never discriminates on the basis of alcohol or drug use, nor in any other areas.”

It is this unanimously agreed-upon attitude of inclusivity that has seen Babana become a well-respected part of the Redfern/Waterloo area. Their Walking Breakfast Club, funded by the Sydney South West Area Health Service, meets at 7.30 each Sunday morning at Redfern Park or the Waterloo PCYC and embarks upon a walk together around the local area, followed by a free healthy breakfast. Originally the walk catered to men alone, however it has now been opened up to anyone who wants to come along. Participants who have completed a certain number of walks are bought new shoes to enable their continued involvement. Not only does this group encourage Babana members and their families to adopt healthy lifestyles, but as Mr Clark says, “it allows isolated people who may be living alone a chance to be with others on a Sunday morning … Many single men live in small bed-sitters or one bedroom flats. The Breakfast Club encourages those people to come out and be with each other.”

Despite a constant struggle to maintain funding for projects, as well as the so-far unsuccessful search for a central venue from which Babana can operate, Don is certain they are making positive steps. “Babana is regularly approached by local schools, the local area command and other organisations in our community to provide support and assistance. We rarely say no to these approaches because our men now feel a part of the community.”

Contact Mark Spinks on 9243 3546.

Source: South Sydney Herald March 2010 www.southsydneyherald.com.au