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Men's Shed opens in Jabiru

31 October 2014

One of the driving forces behind the inauguration of the Bininj Bininj Men's Shed in Jabiru, Samson Henry (centre right) with a few of the Men's Shed crew at the opening on Thursday 23 October. One of the driving forces behind the inauguration of the Bininj Bininj Men's Shed in Jabiru, Samson Henry (centre right) with a few of the Men's Shed crew at the opening on Thursday 23 October.

MEN from the Jabiru area are looking to transform an unused building behind the Jabiru Health Clinic into a “Men’s Shed” – a space where they can share life experiences, skills, fix things, and support one another.

Samson “Sammo” Henry, from the Remote Alcohol and Other Drug (A&OD) Team, said he had been pushing for a Men’s Shed facility in Jabiru for a while now.

“Some of us have been talking about what we want for our young ones, and our old ones,” Sammo said. “We were looking for a space where we could learn from each other, and have activities such as art, gardening, and mechanics.”

So when he learned the old Kakadu Health aged care building was available, Sammo got the A&OD Team together with the Jabiru Health Clinic to make it happen.

“The Men’s Shed is about education, about building self-esteem,” Sammo said. “It’s bringing back power and giving fellas an identity, an idea of who they are.”

Men’s Sheds provide a friendly environment for men of all interests, ages and cultures, he said. The Men’s Shed, located behind the Jabiru Health Clinic on Flinders Street, Jabiru was officially opened on Thursday 23 October, with health presentations, a barbecue, and a sit-down chat. After some discussion, the blokes present agreed on the name “Bininj Bininj”for the space, signifying the strong culture of the local Bininj people.

Health and Lifestyle Educator at Jabiru Health Clinic, Brendan O’Brien, said the Bininj Bininj Men’s Shed had the support of the clinic and the local Bininj community.

“Samson went out and asked men if they wanted a men’s space, and the answer was an overwhelming ‘yes’,” Brendan said. “The Men’s Shed is a great opportunity for indigenous men to reconnect, and to talk about things that they might not otherwise talk about. It empowers men to look at themselves and their connection with community. It is a vehicle for maintaining men’s health and promoting healthy ageing.”

Jeremy Coaby from the A&OD Team said the idea was to support social, emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing. “There are a lot of talented artists in this community, so the blokes can get together to make art, furniture, and artefacts,” he said. “We are looking to get a covered outdoor area, and for the blokes to take ownership of the space. It would be great to have artists like Abel Naborlhborlh come and teach the younger blokes painting.”

Sammo said one thing the group agreed on was that gunbang (alcohol) would not be allowed at the men’s space.

“The Bininj Bininj Men’s Shed is open to all men, indigenous and non-indigenous, but if you come here with gunbang we will ask you to take it somewhere else,” Sammo said. “That’s not what this place is about.”