Men’s Shed – Redfern NSW
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The term Babana means ‘brother’ in the Dharuk language. A
common form of greeting among Aboriginal men, the term
‘brother’ also conveys a sense of the cooperative effort and
community that underpins Babana
Founded in Redfern in October 2006 (and incorporated in 2007)
Babana brings together Men from all walks of life that are
committed to supporting and empowering each other, their
families and their community.
Babana has been instrumental in running campaigns that help
unite and affirm the positive values of traditional Aboriginal
culture, focusing on healing together to create a safe and hopeful
community
Initially formed with a membership of 10 from Redfern community,
but now covers the Greater Sydney Region and has membership
of over 200 Men
 Babana’s
vision is to be recognised
nationally and internationally as a leader
in achieving a difference for the
Aboriginal communities within Sydney
and Australia.
Babana’s purpose is to enrich Australia culturally and
professionally, and to enhance the capacity of
Aboriginal communities and individuals to engage in
all aspects of Australian society, through:
Building on the membership of both Aboriginal and
Non Aboriginal Members
 Striving for excellence within the event management
field
 Creating a supportive environment that celebrates
Aboriginal heritage, diversity and the achievement
of social justice
 Leading and contributing to community campaigns
to assist the Aboriginal people
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Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group becoming the Aboriginal
Men’s Group of choice for males within the Greater Sydney
who are interested in Aboriginal issues irrespective of their
background;
ensuring that we have an environment that provides an
outstanding experience, with exposure to experts within the
community;
providing opportunities and perspective for members to
contribute to the actions of the group;
setting an agenda that engages the community and has
members who become leaders in Sydney, NSW and Beyond
enhancing the capacities, skills and knowledge of members
to pursue opportunities within employment and volunteer
roles.
Babana Shed is located in the
heart of Redfern – one of the
suburbs in the inner city of
Sydney.
72 Renwick Street
Redfern NSW 2016
Babana is not the typical shed
Reasons:
 Small
Premise
 Lack of trade skilled members
 No funding from Government
 Community Needs
 Help
connect men with their communities
and mainstream society
 Work with the most disadvantaged
Indigenous members
 Run “Cultural” Activities
 Provide a space to reconnect with other
men
 Activity and Networking Based Shed
approach
 Babana
works to provide an
understanding of the cultural interface
In this contested space between the two
knowledge systems, the cultural interface
(Nakata, 1998), things are not clearly black
or white, Indigenous or Western.
Programs and Events are targets so that the
congested space can be navigated by
Indigenous and Non Indigenous
community
 Babana
has an Indigenous Employment
Program
 Health Programs
 Education and Cultural Programs
 Mentoring
 Babana
IEP
 Work with the most disadvantaged
Indigenous members
 Links with Corportate Australia
 Links with All levels of government
 95% Retention Rate
Indigenous Health is one of the key areas
that needs to be addressed:
 Weekly Health Events
 Quit Smoking Partnerships
 Contribution to the AMSA Spanner in
Works booklet
 Strong connection with Aboriginal Health
workers
Only a small percentage of Indigenous
students across the nation receive an ATAR
to get into University.
Babana works with our partners to:
Increase awareness of programs
Engage mature aged into employment
Promote aspirational programs
Conduct Cultural programs and Camps
 Qualified
Mentors
 Links to only Cert IV Indigenous
mentoring training
 Utilising Elders in community
 Connecting with Indigenous and Non
Indigenous organisations to offer
assistance
Babana work in an active manner with many
organisations (including Non Indigenous) to
help address the gap between employment,
education, housing and health. These
include:
 Jawun – Seconde from KPMG and QBE
 Tribal Warrior Association
 Redfern Local Police
 Job Service Australia Providers
 Nura Gili Centre for Indigenous Programs
(UNSW)
 Redfern Foundation
Seeking larger premise
Cultural Training
Mentoring Training
Art workshops
Trades Element
Increased connection with other Sheds