ME
N’S
BUSH
S P I TR
GOLDFIELDS 2021-2022
Men’s Bush Trips started in March 2021 as a way of connecting with men and yarning about issues that are important to blokes in a relaxed bush environment. Since then, the word has got out that it’s worth going along to Men’s Bush Trips - to light a fire, cook some food, go for a wander, have a laugh, learn helpful things for life and build support for each other. This book shares some photos of the Men’s Bush Trip journey in 2021 and 2022 ... what we got up to, what we talked about, the steps Goldfields men have taken towards wellbeing and health and information about the services provided by Mara Pirni Healing Place, Hope Community Services and other organisations in the Goldfields. Warning, this book may contain images and names of men who have passed away.
Stephen Morrison - Justice & Community Manager Hello my name is Stephen. I’m a Noongar on my Mother’s side (Morrison) with connections to Katanning, Woods from my Father’s side, who raised me, both from the South West of WA, and Gooniyandi (Hawke/Cox) on my Father’s side, with connections to Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek, Kimberley Region WA. My wife and I have been married for 16 years, have 4 children and have been living in and around Kalgoorlie and Esperance for around 21 years. “Family and domestic violence (FDV) brings fear to our families and takes opportunity away from them. Our approach for this Men’s Bush Trip is that we can do the opposite; bring peace to situations of trouble and arguments and create opportunity for our families, all directly from the choices we make and what we say. Not all men that attend our Bush Trips are involved in FDV, but all of them have come together, to build a good support network for men in our community.”
Trevor Johns Men’s Services Support Worker, Goldfields North Hi my name is Trevor Johns. I am a Gubrun man from Kalgoorlie. I have been with HOPE for 5 years now and I enjoy running the bush trips with Steve and Calvin and helping the men of our community. It is always good seeing new faces, meeting new people and hearing different stories. It’s also good to be doing the program out on country, sitting around a fire, having something to eat while offering support and guidance or just pointing them in the right direction to access the support they need in our community. I am looking forward to seeing the Men’s Bush Trip get bigger and better next year.
Calvin Ashwin Peer Support Worker, Leonora Hi my name is Calvin Ashwin. I am employed by HOPE as a Peer Support worker based in Leonora. I am a proud Yamatji / Wongi man Yamatji on my Mother’s side and Wongi on my Father’s side. I have worked in various organizations and roles but this role I hold now is what I like doing - working side by side with my mob, trying to make a difference. We hold bush trips or BBQs on a weekly basis with our men from Leonora and Laverton and some topics we have covered are FDV, alcohol and drugs, family and just life in general. “All of these issues mentioned and many more have a great impact on our men and their families. These trips and gatherings give them the chance to speak freely, without any judgement, about issues affecting them. It also gives us as a service the chance to let them know that we are here to help in any possible way.”
Hope Community Services For over 100 years Hope Community Services has brought hope to thousands of people and communities facing the toughest challenges in Western Australia. From our beginnings pioneering alcohol support, today the challenges we tackle include Alcohol and Drug Support, Mental Health, Family and Domestic Violence, Justice and Bail Services, Youth Accommodation and Suicide Prevention. We have over 150 dedicated staff and 70 volunteers delivering services and supporting marginalised people within communities as far north as Kununurra, as far south as Esperance and as far inland as Kalgoorlie, Leonora and Meekatharra. We believe delivering hope requires a community-led approach, a collaborative mindset, and the dedication to walk with our clients wherever it takes us, for however long we are needed, supporting them to successfully and meaningfully participate in life.
Mara Pirni Mara Pirni Healing Centre is a safe place supporting families to live free from violence. Centrally located, Mara Pirni provides a range of services for women, children, families, friends and victims of Family and Domestic Violence in the Goldfields North Region. If you need help, Mara Pirni are here for you and promise we will listen to you, believe you, and help you get the help you need. Mara Pirni is operated by Hope Community Services alongside specialist service providers Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni Aboriginal Corporation, One Tree Community Services, Wanslea Family Services and Aboriginal Legal Service WA. Mara Pirni brings together a number of leading Family and Domestic Violence services in one place where we can work together to help victims access the services they need. These include: • • • • • • •
Advocacy and safety planning Family support and early childhood services Creche Legal services Men’s healing services Cultural healing service Groups and activities
Our services are culturally safe and welcoming of all backgrounds, ethnicities, religions and sexualities.
Strong Spirit Strong Mind Strong Spirit Strong Mind promotes the uniqueness of Aboriginal culture as a central strength in guiding efforts to manage and reduce alcohol and other drug related harm in Aboriginal communities. Social and emotional wellbeing refers to your physical wellbeing and also the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the whole community. It recognises the importance of connection to land, culture, spirituality, ancestry, family and community. It is really important that we take care of ourselves so we can look after our families and communities. Think about some things that you can do that help you to relax, improve your wellbeing or may help reduce your stress. Yarn about your wellbeing…. If you are thinking about improving your mental health, you might need some further support or information. Sometimes people don’t get help because they feel shame talking about their wellbeing. This can be a difficult time, but your family, friends and other people in your community can help you. You can also speak to your local doctor, a psychologist or counsellor or another health professional. Find out more about Strong Spirit Strong Mind at https://strongspiritstrongmind.com.au/
SUPPORT LINES Mara Pirni Healing Place Hope Community Services Men’s DV Helpline MensLine DV Assist Alcohol & Drug Support Line Parent & Family Drug Support Line Meth Helpline Quitline (Smoking) 13YARN (ATSI Crisis Support) Lifeline RuralLink Beyond Blue Suicide Call Back Crisis Care The Samaritans Crisis Line Bega Freecall Health Direct Kalgoorlie-Boulder For Support Guides in your area please scan the QR code:
Leonora
6001 7037 9021 3069 1800 000 599 1300 789 978 1800 080 083 1800 198 024 1800 653 203 1800 874 878 13 78 48 13 92 76 13 11 14 1800 552 002 1300 224 636 1300 659 467 1800 199 008 1800 198 313 1800 037 037 1800 022 222 Laverton
Esperance
ROWLES LAGOON 26 March 2021 Topic: Family Domestic Violence Goldfields Rehabilitation Service Inc and Yorgum
FOR MORE INFO ... Mara Pirni Healing Place (HOPE) 6001 7037 Yorgum Healing Services 1800 469 371 Goldfields Rehabilitation Service 9021 4732 Men’s DV Helpline 1800 000 599 MensLine 1300 789 978 DV Assist 1800 080 083 (Monday-Friday 10am to 7pm)
BURRA ROCKS & CAVE HILL 16 April 2021 Topic: Suicide Prevention & Intervention ASIST and Safetalk training GRSI
FOR MORE INFO ... Kalgoorlie Health Campus 9080 5888 GF Community Mental Health 9088 6200 Goldfields Rehabilitation Service 9021 4732 13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Crisis Support) 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 RuralLink 1800 552 002 Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 Suicide Call Back 1300 659 467
It’s good to be around other men and to hear that we all go through some of the same things and it’s not just me ...
BOONDI ROCKS 7 May 2021 Topic: Mental Health, Step Up/Step Down Program and relapse prevention Step Up/Step Down & Goldfields Community Alcohol and Drugs Service (GCADS)
FOR MORE INFO ... Kalgoorlie Health Campus GF Community Mental Health Step Up/Step Down Life Without Barriers EPIC Centrecare Bega Social Support Unit HOPE GCADS
9080 5888 9088 6200 6323 8987 9092 2900 9185 0000 9080 0333 9022 5500 9021 3069
LA KE DOUGLAS 28 May 2021 Topic: Legal Advice Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS)
FOR MORE INFO ... Goldfields Community Legal Centre (GCLC) 9021 1888 Aboriginal Legal Service 9021 3666 Aboriginal Family Legal Services 9021 0244 Legal Aid WA (Kalgoorlie Office) 9025 1300
YARRI ROA D FIRE BREA K MEN’S HEA LTH WEEK 18 June 2021 Community Leader Dennis Forrest shared his journey through cancer and encouraged men to have regular health check-ups. Stephen gave out some info on men’s health to take home.
NEWTOWN DA M - NAIDOC WEEK 9 July 2021 Topic: Community Mental Health (CMH) Frank Walsh and Billy Ring spoke about men’s mental health support and accessing CMH. Stephen spoke about NAIDOC theme Heal Country.
YARRI ROA D FIRE BREA K 2 30 July 2021 Topic: Integrated Team Care (ITC) Program Community Elder Michael McGuiness shared his story of the Stolen Generation and the issues he faces being a man, husband, father and grandfather because he was taken away and didn’t know his parents.
KARONI & CARDUNIA SOA K 8 August 2021 GRSI
FOR MORE INFO ... HOPE GCADS 9021 3069 GSRI 9021 4732 Bega Social Support Unit 9022 5500 Bega Tobacco Action Team 9022 5500 Alcohol & Drug Support Line 1800 198 024 Parent & Family Drug Support Line 1800 653 203
The group is very important. We need more men getting together more often to support each other ... men are often left out of the picture.
LA KE DOUGLAS 10 September 2021 WA Police Force Community Relations Officer Frank Martin spoke about his role and a few stories from his work. He educates WA police officers on suitable, culturally appropriate approaches with Aboriginal people.
LAVERTON 19 September 2021 Topic: Risky Alcohol Use Calvin Ashwin spoke about harm minimisation activities to reduce risky alcohol use. Agreement to work towards a men’s camp. ITC Leonora/Laverton
FOR MORE INFO ... HOPE GCADS 9037 7661 GRSI 9021 4732 Bega Tobacco Action Team (Monthly) 9022 5500 Laverton Hospital 9088 2600 HOPE ITC 9037 7661
WENDY GULLY 1 October 2021 GRSI, GLSC Rangers Stephen discussed the importance of the Bush Trips in supporting men. GRSI talked about their role in the community and upcoming employment opportunities with the rangers.
FOR MORE INFO ... GSRI 9021 4732 Goldfields Land and Sea Council Rangers 9022 2339
MA LCOLM DA M 13 October 2021 Topic: Alcohol and Other Drugs Calvin thanked the men for abstaining from any AOD use to attend the Bush Trip and discussed options to help our men reduce their AOD use.
FOR MORE INFO ... HOPE GCADS GSRI Bega Social Support Unit Bega Tobacco Action Team Meth Helpline Quitline (Smoking)
9021 3069 9021 4732 9022 5500 9022 5500 1800 874 878 13 78 48
WA LLAROO ROCK 22 October 2021 Topic: Talking Up Our Strengths
Stephen led discussion about how different things (such as our women, our children, our land, our struggles, our stories, our celebrations, our men etc) are strengths for us as men.
TWIN DA MS 11 November 2021 Topic: Experiences & Choices Discussions on experiences, good and bad, that influenced us to be the men we are today. We discussed how we can love our families better and create better opportunities for them because of the choices we make.
CAVE HILL - 16 DAYS IN WA 3 December 2021
We discussed what 16 Days in WA was about and the importance of stopping violence against women. Wania Taiepa did an activity to demonstrate the importance of men finding healing for their past, in order to move forward.
WENDY GULLY 27 February 2022 Topic: Mental Health We talked about where men could go to get information and support when they are experiencing mental health problems.
JOB SUPPORT HUB MEN’S HEA LTH WEEK 15 June 2022
Frank Martin and Stephen spoke about their own mental health issues and the support they engaged with to help them through, and the external support available in Kalgoorlie.
LA KE DOUGLAS - NAIDOC WEEK 1 July 2022 Topic: Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! We discussed employment and the service Job Support Hub provides to help people find employment. We also looked at expectations of employers and employees and things that hinder employment.
24/7 Alcohol & Drug Helplines are available! We want to do everything we can to prevent FDV, alcohol & drug abuse, and suicide
BOONDI ROCK 26 October 2022 Topic: FDV Prevention
Stephen spoke about how the Men’s Bush Trips and other gatherings can help with the prevention of FDV, alcohol and other drug abuse and suicide.
YARRI ROA D FIREBREA K 9 November 2022 Topic: Movember We discussed the upcoming Red Dust Healing training and encouraged the men to attend. We then discussed Movember, suicide and cancer stats and practical ways men can be a support for other men and our families.
YARRI ROA D GRAVEL PIT 7 December 2022 Topic: Support After Suicide Tim Ayam from StandBy came out and spoke to men about the support available for anyone bereaved or impacted by suicide, including individuals, families, friends, witnesses, first responders and service providers.
Where we go ...
N Locations of the Men’s Bush Trips in the Goldfields.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Cave Hill
Thanks to all the support organisations and contributors to the Men’s Bush Trips.
GOLDFIELDS
Government of Western Australia Mental Health Commission
For more information about Men’s Bush Trips or anything else you’d like to chat about, please call 9021 3069.
STEPHEN MORRISON
stephen.morrison@hopecs.org.au
TREVOR JOHNS
trevor.johns@hopecs.org.au
CALVIN ASHWIN
calvin.ashwin@hopecs.org.au
hopecommunityservices.org.au