News

Men's healing gives back to community

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 03:24:00

Men who are clients of a Time Out Program at Robinvale, in north west Victoria, have initiated a project that has not only provided healing and recovery – but is also giving back to the community.

Mallee District Aboriginal Services’ Men’s Time Out program has grown remarkably in the past 12 months, going from a handful of participants to regular attendance of up to 20 men.
But it’s not only the number of men attending that’s creating interest, but the quality of the interaction and activity they are initiating.
The Men’s Family Violence Caseworker, Joseph Asirifi, said he was thrilled that the men recently initiated a Healing and Recovery program at the Robinvale Cemetery.
“It was an idea of the group for us to go and clean and tidy the cemetery, with the main aim to help the men to culturally, spiritually and emotionally connect to ancestors at the cemetery,” Joseph said.
“They made the suggestion after talking about the value of maintaining links with ancestors and for healing,” he said.
Seven of the group, aged between 20 and 50, took part in the cemetery cleanup. 
It was the first event of its kind, but Joseph is hoping it will be a regular activity for the Men’s Group, who meet weekly for a yarn and breakfast.
Pictured: One of the main instigators of the Healing and Recovery Program, MDAS client Shaun Blackman (right) with Robinvale Cemetery Trust’s Brian Handreck