Dubbo Men's Shed has been tagged an "exemplar shed" in promoting reconciliation in the world of Men's Sheds within Australia.
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Dr Jillian Cavanagh visited the Dubbo Men's Shed this week to speak with members to include comments in an independent report she is compiling.
The report will be delivered to Minister for Indigenous Health Warren Snowdon by the middle of December on the topic of Men's Sheds and other men's groups around the country.
The researcher said the black and white hand shake symbol at the Dubbo Men's Shed inspired the researcher to travel to the city as part of her study.
Dr Cavanagh met Dubbo Men's Shed members Frank Doolan and Phil Knight at a recent Indigenous Men's Shed gathering in Canberra.
After hearing them speak at the gathering she was keen to see the reconciliation work they were doing in Dubbo first-hand.
"I think there's a lot other sheds that can learn from the Dubbo Men's Shed," she said.
Dr Cavanagh said she was hoping to find out more about the views of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous members and why they participate.
"I'm looking to find out what they believe are the cultural benefits, the social benefits and the economic benefits as well as the health outcomes," she said.
"It's critical we find out what health benefits there are because of this."
She said she was surprised to find the majority of Indigenous Australians, at 2 per cent, were mostly based in NSW.
As part of her research Dr Cavanagh had already travelled to Redfern, Mt Druitt and Fitzroy Crossing before arriving in Dubbo.
She said she aimed to get a cross-section of different types of Men's Sheds - urban, rural and outback.
"I'm here to include what these men have to say in my report," she said.
"I hope to take away lots of Dubbo stories to share with the minister when I meet with him on Friday."
Dr Cavanagh's research team includes Professor Timothy Bartram and Dr Nicola McNeil who are also working on the project.
Dubbo Men's Shed's Frank Doolan said their members felt honoured to be visited by Dr Cavanagh.
"As I understand it Jillian has come here because of our reconciliation slant," he said.
"It's good to have her here and it's good for Dubbo."
lisa.minner@ruralpress.com