Babana Aboriginal Steering Committee
incorporating
BABANA Aboriginal Men's Group

Background Information

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.

Adopted in October 2006, the term Babana means “brother” in the Dharuk language. As well as being a common term of greeting among Aboriginal men, the term “brother” also conveys a sense of cooperative effort and community. More recently, Babana members agreed to use the above letterhead designed by one of the men.

Since its formation in March 2006, Babana has usually on a fortnightly basis. Average attendance at each meeting is about 20 men. Over that time, Babana membership has grown to the point where about 70 men are on the email and surface mail contact list and receive the minutes of the regular monthly meetings. All meetings are alcohol free.

Babana Projects in 2008 included:

1. 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.
2. Christmas for kids on the Block. Babana was also heavily involved in supporting Christmas for the kids on the Block.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

6. 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.
7. 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. .
8. 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
9. 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)
10. A cultural tour involving Aboriginal elders around the Rocks area at Sydney.
11. 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. Providing support and personnel to conduct 'Christmas for the kids' on the Block and at Wooloomooloo.

Babana Projects in 2006 included:

1. A NAIDOC Week harbour trip boat trip involving about 80 local men and in Mt Druitt and Campbelltown mens groups. Elders and young sons attended this community-building event.
2. Representations to City of Sydney and Leichhardt Councils including on including an appropriate acknowledgement to Aboriginal people in the Hyde Park upgrade.
3. Volunteering at the NEON Employment Expo (Dec) , and Yabun (Jan. 2007).
4. A No Drugs on the Block campaign which involved creating awareness about negative impacts of the highly visible use of drugs on the community and especially on children in the area - 3 walk-arounds conducted.
5. Delegations to mens health / healing meetings – 6 men recently attended a Western Sydney Area Health Service Aboriginal mens health meeting.
6. Talking with Redfern Police about improving Aboriginal community / Police relations.

Being newly formed, Babana has operated in a relatively informal capacity in 2006. However Babana is now taking steps to become an incorporated legal body and doing other things to ensure it is properly equipped to be sustainable in the long term.

At the first 2007 meeting on 15 February, Babana will discuss priorities and strategic directions for the coming year.

For more information please contact Mark Spinks on 9243 3546.