Men's Bush Trips

120+ Years we’ve been around

10,000+ People we’ve helped

A safe place supporting families to live free from violence.

Men’s Bush Trips began in 2021 with the establishment of Mara Pirni Healing Place, the family and domestic violence (FDV) hub in Kalgoorlie.

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. We light a fire, cook some food, go for a wander, have a yarn and a laugh, learn helpful things for life and build support for each other.

The bush trips began as part of the intervention and prevention stream of activities designed to support and educate perpetrators and potential perpetrators of FDV, and ultimately enable them to change their behaviour. Many of the men who attend these trips also experience problems around their AOD use.

To ensure the men have all the support they need, partnerships have been formed with key service providers in the region such as the Goldfields Rehabilitation Services, Yorgum Healing Services, HOPE’s Goldfields Community Alcohol and Drugs Services, Aboriginal Legal Services, Community Mental Health, Integrated Team Care, WA Police Force (Goldfields), Goldfields Land & Sea Council Rangers and the Step Up/Step Down AOD Program. Representatives from all of these services regularly attend the bush trips, answer questions and offer support and information as needed.

Since their commencement, the Men’s Bush Trip Program has led to increased engagement and connection for local men. Those who attend the bush trips have self-reported lowered rates of AOD relapse and a reduction in FDV instances. Participants have expressed appreciation at being able to yarn, unpack their concerns, share experiences and support one another in a safe environment, free of judgement and free of stigma.

Importantly the partnership between HOPE and other service providers attending the bush trips has led to ‘soft entry’ points for participants into other support services.

If you want to come along on our next trip

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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 at Strong Spirit Strong Mind Website.

The Good Way Program

The Good Way Program is a culturally responsive and trauma-informed alcohol and other drug (AOD) yarning program designed for pre-release inmates at Eastern Goldfields Prison.

The goal is to slow or prevent inmates having an AOD relapse on their release. The program supports participants to develop physical, mental and emotional wellbeing so they can build healthy relationships with kin and community on their release.

The program has also been inspired by local First Nations peoples, who often speak of working towards and doing things “the good way”. In Wongutha, the “good way” means being respectful of individuals, families and the community.

Award winning trips.

The Men’s Bush Trips was named the winner of the Partnership Award at the 2023 Strong Spirit, Strong Mind Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Awards at the WANADA Conference (WA Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies) in May this year. Our ‘Good Way’ program was also nominated for the Innovative and Culturally Responsive Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drugs Program Award.

Men's Bush Trips 2023

Men's Bush Trips 2022

Hope Community Services acknowledges and respects the traditional First Nations owners of the lands on which we work, the first people of this country. We pay our respects to them, their culture, and their Elders, past, present and future.

Hope Community Services acknowledges and welcomes diversity in all its forms amongst staff and clients, including culture, language, race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex variations, religion, and socio‑economic and relationship status.

Hope Community Services acknowledge the individual and collective experiences of those with a living or lived experience. We recognise their wise contribution at all levels throughout the business and value the courage of those who share their experiences for the purpose of creating safe spaces that improve mental health outcomes.