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HOPE has hit the ground running with our new Men’s Service.
Koolark Healing Service is for men, 18 years and older, who are committed and willing to engage in the ‘tough’ conversations to raise awareness of family and domestic violence and motivated towards change to build healthier families and a safer community.
Hope Community Services, Yorgum Healing Services and our partners Aboriginal Legal Services of WA; Ngala Parenting Service; Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health and Marmun Mia-Mia join with Koolark Healing Service to provide a trauma informed service and activities that encourage men to reflect on their own behaviours and create awareness of being a safe person.
Koolark Healing Service operate through a range of integrated and evidence based services in one safe, inclusive, culturally responsive and welcoming environment.
Men’s Bush Trip
On Wednesday, 29 January, Koolark Healing Service held its first Men’s Bush Trip at Settlers Common, Bedfordale, with the support of Marmun Mia-Mia Aboriginal Corporation. This Men’s Bush Trip focused on Identity & Connection to Country, exploring the theme of ‘Understanding Who We Are and Where We Come From.’
The men took part in activities, including:
- A guided walk on country, learning about the land’s history and significance.
- Yarning about family lines, stories and the impact of connection to country on well-being, shared through different cultural lenses.
- Created personal identity statements based on family and cultural ties, highlighting what is important to them; and shared their identity in a group setting.
Based on the Men’s Bush Trips by HOPE in Kalgoorlie, Koolark Healing Service Men’s Bush Trips are half day trips for men 18 years and over and will fall on the last Wednesday of every month. The bush trips involve taking men out bush, in a relaxed and culturally safe space for them to yarn about issues affecting them and their families – as a way of connecting with other men and to country, and talking about issues that are important to blokes.
A large theme of these Men’s Bush Trips look at the role of men in community and unpacking the theme of understanding traditional roles and responsibilities of men in Aboriginal Culture and how this looks today in a modern, multicultural society.
