A RECENT visit to the Dubbo Men’s Shed provided an opportunity for an indigenous community group from Wilcannia to share ideas and establish new friendships.
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Dubbo Men’s shed member Frank Doolan said he was pleased the group of men had shown an interest in the way the Dubbo Shed was run.
“These men come from a town in Australia with the lowest Aboriginal life expectancy and I see this as an attempt by these guys to do something positive,” he said.
Steve Ross co-ordinates the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) in the outback township.
He said while the CDEP was not a men’s shed, it aspired to the same values and goals as the men’s shed.
Mr Ross said, like the men’s shed, the CDEP’s aim was inclusively.
“We are all red blooded, we all bleed the same colour; red,” he said. “We are all the same people.”
Mr Ross said the black and white handshake linked to the Dubbo Men’s Shed stood out to him as a symbol of humanity, encouraging unity and belonging.
He said building up relationships and empowering indigenous men was the secret to improving the functioning of communities like Wilcannia.
“A strong man makes a strong family and a strong community, a weak man doesn’t.”
He said it was about giving men a stronger position in Aboriginal communities.
“In a lot of predominantly indigenous communities men have been diminished and depression comes as a result of that.”
Both Lloyd Ross and Richard Smith are involved in the work for the dole scheme as well as being employed doing contract work in the town, to build both skills and confidence.
“Lloyd is currently going on to 13 weeks work to build a fence for our new market garden which will supply fresh vegetables.”
“Richard is already involved in contract work with cleaning and yard maintenance and other building projects we do.
The inspirational stuff Frank’s been talking about is what’s happening in Wilcannia with these men as well, it’s a bit like two worlds joining together in two different places,” he said.
Mr Ross said a men’s shed was also in the developmental stages in Wilcannia and he encouraged the members to explore the Dubbo shed as a model for their own.
He said talking about men’s health, mens depression and having a place for men to come and to avoid boredom was a key to lifting the men up.
“We’ve invited the men from Dubbo to come and have a look at our CDEP shed and to encourage friendships and sharing skills in line with that black and white handshake.”
lisa.minner@ruralpress.com
