An Aboriginal perspective

John Oates is a Nyampaa Waliwan man and a representative of the Aboriginal community of Copacabana, where he has lived for the past 36 years. He writes:

I acknowledge and give thanks for the love and care our Aboriginal ancestors gave this land, “Tdjudibaring, where the waves beat like heartbeats.”

The concepts of “Men’s Business” and “Women’s Business” are well understood in Indigenous societies as essential to the wellbeing of all, particularly older men and women, who greatly benefit from the company of their peers. Modern societies today are starting to realise that socialisation with like-minded people in groups such as men’s or women’s groups promotes mental, physical and often spiritual health. These groups in traditional societies had their own Safe Place (e.g., “that place over there is for the men/women only”) and this enabled participants to feel secure and to have a sense of belonging. I see the Men’s Shed program as following this age-old tradition of people belonging to their Safe Places.

Our group is therefore in full support of the Copacabana Men’s shed initiative.