BABANA
Aboriginal Men's Group Incorporated

The Babana Aboriginal Mens Group first met in March 2006.

Babana members are motivated by the need in the community for a broad-based non-aligned community group which can be a focal point for community support and development activities and provide positive networking opportunities for local Aboriginal men. More...

Babana Projects in 2008/2009

Babana Chairperson Mark Spinks and Lyal Munro leading the march

A large crowd attended the Service including various dignitaries such as Aboriginal Elders, Govenor of NSW, Lord and Deputy Mayor, Federal and State Ministers

1. 2009 Aboriginal Diggers Anzac Day March was an outstanding success Babana members worked tirelessly to support this event. Many thanks to organiser Uncle Ray Minnecon and Mark Spinks and all those who marched and attended the Service to respect our Aboriginal diggers (Click for previous 2007 report)
2. International Women's Day - Babana was honoured to join with Mudgin-gal Women's Centre, among others, to celebrate International Women's Day. It was about honouring and thanking the women of our community, youngand old.
3. Family Day on the Block - inspired by Shane Phillips (CEO Tribal Warrior) Babana men were fully behind Shane's idea of creating a Family Day on the Block that highlights an anti drug and anti violence position.
4. Senior's Week- Babana in conjunction with Tribal Warrior,set out for Clarke Island. Lyall and Ray Munro gave their skills on the BBQ, Artie Beetson joined in going round to all our guests. A great day was had by all.
5. Christmas for kids on the Block. Babana was also heavily involved in supporting Christmas for the kids on the Block.
6. Carer's week
   Babana helped celebrate and promote the importance of Carer's week the with an event at Sydney Town Hall . Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore; Sydney Deputy Lord Mayor, Marcelle Hoff attended Babana’s Monday event. Marcelle, on behalf of Clover Moore gave a speech that reflected the partnership and good work that the City and Babana have accomplished together. Then later in the week we held a celebration and a series of focus groups on Clarke Island.
7. Joint Project with Aboriginal Medical Service, Babana and University of NSW for Aboriginal researcher positions
   This program is an international research project which includes communities in Canada and New Zealand. The outcome of the program is to increase the capacity of Aboriginal people to conduct social research and to examine the role of resilience. It is well under way with Babana men being mentors for participants in the program. Special thanks to Hector Tarare and John Williams of the AMS for your hard work to get this off the ground. 3 men from the Walking Together program are on this project. Graduation night to acknowledge the men was on Friday 22/8/08.
8. 2008 Aboriginal Diggers Anzac Day March on Friday 25/4/08 A most successful march through Redfern and then a moving service in recognition of Aboriginal Diggers was held at St Saviours Church, Redfern, in support and recognition of Aboriginal Diggers. Many people attended including NSW Governor General Marie Bashir, Mayor SydneyTown Hall Clover Moore and other politicians, diggers, community leaders and Aboriginal elders. Babana men were thanked for their contribution to the success of the day by Clover Moore.

   Click for Flier

   Click for 2007 report

9. Men's Health and Well being day Rodd Island
   An informative and entertaining day was held on National parks Rodd island on thurs 20/3/08 with 110 men attending. There was preventative health info, general health stalls, healing, nutrition to name a few. Thanks to major sponsors South East Sydney and Illawarra Area Health, Care Connect and and Mission Australia. Appreciation Awards were made to Simon Dirs from Souths Care and Mark Carroll from Parole for support to Babana and the community. Information stalls were held from Medicare and the Aboriginal Medical Service who also were responsible for an evaluation of the day. A report of he day is planned to be forwarded to Federal and State Ministers. There were also various workshops held including David Leha on Gamarada healing and David Peachey from Souths Cares and Roly Frail representing men from the Blue mountains. One of the best days so far.
10. Family Violence Forum
    A most successful family violence forum was held Tues-Wed 12th and 13th February 2008, bringing community leaders, officials and local residents together to work proactively together for positive solutions. The key points to arise from this meeting will be released to various media outlets. .
11. Joint Babana Walking Together working together day . A joint Babana and Walking Together outing was held on 4/3/08 with Babana elders and members working with Walking together clients. A great day was held by all and David Leha did an incredible healing session with the men, jason from walking together talked of his new job on the tribal warrior and the views were incredibe www.youtube. com/watch?v=q5CvMmbqmRo
12. Bark Canoe project for Invasion Day 26 January, 2008- Babana fully supported the initiative to enable youth to be trained and to build canoes to lead the Tall Ships on Invasion Day. For more info contact Shane Phillips (ph 96993491) or Hilton Donovan (ph 96981967)
13. A cultural tour involving Aboriginal elders around the Rocks area at Sydney.
14. A cultural trip and ideas gathering involving Babana members and elders travelling down the South Coast, to liaise with other men's groups.

Babana Projects in 2007 included:

1. Another successful gathering of over 100 men at Shark Island from Katoomba, Western Sydney, Campbelltown and Illawarra mens groups.
2. A NAIDOC event at Yamma Dhinawal centre
3. The Second World Indigenous Day at Sydney Town Hall
4. Ongoing representation and consultaltancy with Police regarding community relations
5. Assisting with the Anzac Koori diggers march
6. Encouraging partnerships with the private sector to bring Certificate II training courses into Redfern working with Aliwelch Training, the Walking Together program and the Crossroads.
7. Holding monthly meetings to build community support and encourage networking and support
8. Supporting Probation and parole clients of the Walking Together program to gain work experience via the Tribal Warrior association.
9. Christmas for the kids
   Babana provided the manpower to help run Christmas and Master MC Mr Spinks on the Block on the 5/12 at Redfern Community Centre and Christmas for the kids at Wooloomooloo on 19/12.
   

For info on upcoming 2008 activities check out the righthand side column.

To read about 2006 projects, go to the Achievements page

For more information please contact Mark Spinks on 9243 3546 or 0411282917.

2006-2007 - Other Activities:

Certificate II in Tourism

Aliwelch training with the Assistance of Babana, the 'Crossroads' and the Walking Together program have worked together to create the inaugural Certificate II in Tourism course - see photo gallery - see u tube video clip www.youtube.com

World Indigenous Day

****Babana will host a most successful 2nd World Indigenous Day at the Sydney Town hall on Tuesday 14/8/07 -
see Photo Gallery. We are also on U tube. you will need to copy and paste the following address. www.youtube.com/profile?user=babanagroup

We are now Incorporated

On 27/4/07 we became incorporated through the Dept off Fair Trading, Incorporation number INC9887390

Interim Steering Committee

Has been elected on 10/5/07
Chair - Mark Spinks
Deputy Chair - Hector TarareSecretary - Bobby Perry with support from Don Stewart
Treasurer - Don Clarke

Other committee members Eric Robinson, George Long and Hilton Donovan

Associated non Aboriginal committee members (by invitation and with no voting rights)

Don Stewart and Mark Carroll

Reconciliation Week cruise to Rodd Island Friday 29/5/09

2 Boats will depart the Fishmarkets at 10am (return 3.30). Males and females welcome with a special invite to 18-24 year old youth to come and join us. A great day is planned.

New meeting place and day. We are now meeting at ground floor of the Redfern Community Centre, corner Lous and Hugo Sts, Redfern, last friday of each month

Babana AGM

A most successful AGM was held recently, reflecting how Babana has grown and moved beyond expectations of us all

Testimonial for Babana Elder Eric Robinson
A testimonial fund raiser for our beloved Babana elder Eric Robinson on (tba), We believe it is better to run such an event when the person is still alive so they can enjoy the proceeds rather than waiting until they have passed on. We need volunteers, Please contact Mark Spinks for more info.

Australian of the Year nomination
Babana Chairperson Mark Spinks has been nominated for Australian of the Year for the past 2 years as well as Shane Phillip (CEO Tribal Warrior) last year. Good on you men. Mark was also a nomimee for the 2007 Australia Justice Awards at Parliament House and Shane was a member of Kevin Rudd's 2020 conference at Parliament House. This also reflects strongly on the group.

Gamarada Men's Self Healing and life skills development program
The original graduates, all Babana members (Shane Phillips, Ken Zulumovski, David Leha, David Beaumont and Mark Carroll) are about to conduct the 4th program. Pastor Ray Minnecon, Yabun Person of the year 2008, is the honourary patron of this program. Men can attend any monday night whenprogram is running from 5.30 to 8.30 at the Redfern community centre and have a meal as well. www.gamarada.org.au

Volunteer work for disadvantaged persons on the Tribal Warrior
We are currently organising a way for people on Probation and Parole and associated with the Walking Together program to gain some positive experience and some volunteer work on the Tribal Warrior.

Sponsorship - If you would like to sponsor us for various community related functions we can add you to our web page sponsor section.

Others sponsors - Please click on the sponsors section on the left hand side for other sponsors to whom we are most grateful.

Including Babana in your Will - Please feel free to contact Mark Spinks 9243 3546 or 0411282917 to see how you could leave a donation in your last will and testament to Babana