Rekindling the Spirit

Rekindling the Spirit
Greg Telford
Chris Binge
Anthony Franks

History
! In 1994, Greg Telford worked as a district officer with
the DoCS.
! Support, services and care available to women and
children.
! Greg collaborated with Stuart Anderson the coordinator
of the Anti-Violence Project and pioneered the Koori
MEND Group project in 1995.
! Covers Lismore, Casino and Ballina communities which
are in the Bundjalung country.

Why the name ?
“Rekindling The Spirit”
! When the program began it was commonly known as
Koori MEND group.
! Greg’s belief is we all have a good spirit within and
the aim is to bring it to the forefront.
! Hence the name Rekindling The Spirit.

Main Objectives
! To assist Aboriginal men to find their place in society.
! To receive positive feedback from the participants,
their partners and/or families regarding reform in
behaviours such as family violence and moderation
with alcohol and other drugs.

Primary Focus
Engaging Aboriginal Men and
their families to address
issues such as: -
! Family relationships.
! Individual development.
! Parenting skills.
! Relationship development.
! Child abuse and neglect.
! Family violence.
! Alcohol and other Drugs
abuse.

Voluntary
or
Referred
! The participants either come voluntarily or are
referred by the DoCS and/or Probationary Parole
Board.
! Some referred participants remain after their time
is complete.

Current Program
Activities Includes
! Aboriginal Men’s group.
! Aboriginal AA group.
! Father and Sons Camps.
! High school programs.
! Gym program.

Aboriginal Men’s Group
! Entrenched in the cycle of violent behaviour.
! Speak of their own experiences.
! Support is given where they are not downcast.
! Advice is not given unless it is asked for.
! Handouts are distributed eg:
identifying different violent and non-violent behaviours.
effect violence has on children.
! Time out is emphasised.
! Encourage better husbands, fathers and men.

Traffic Lights
Anger Signals
10 Seeing Red, Shaking,
Tears eyes, Spitting/Hitting,
9 Pointing finger, Cleaning, Glaring, Gloating
8 Voice goes deeper, Hot in head, Clenching fists,
Tachycardia (Heart beating fast), Tension in jaw, Dry
mouth,
7 Butterflies in tummy, Looking for a weapons, Baiting,
Swearing increases, Go silent, Make it safe,
6 Growl, Sweaty palms, Pacing/Defensive,
5 Stirring in guts, Pumping up, Speaking faster, Mouth
quivers
3 Agitated Facial expressions, Hands on hips,
Name calling “thingatying” “objectification”,
2 Fidgety
1 Relaxed, Calm.

Aboriginal AA Group
! Held every Tuesday and Thursday evenings,
averaging 18-24 men and women.
! Some non-Aboriginal people attend.

Father and Sons Camps
! Some Elders attend the camps, sharing their story
and passing on culture such as body parts in
language and dreamtime stories.
! Father and son/s relationship.
! Inspire men to be more responsible as fathers.

Highschool
Programs
! Currently focus is on the boys who are disruptive in
class.
! A variety of set topics are covered over a ten-week
period.

Gym Program
! Men have time on their hands, are unhealthy and
unfit.
! Improvement in health and fitness.
! The gym program assists with emotional stress and
quality time out.
“As they start to feel good about their exterior they are
more inclined to work on their interior” (Telford 1998)

Advisory
Committee
! Yinganeh Aboriginal Women Refuge.
! Independent Community members.
! DoCS.
! Probation and Parole.
! Northern Rivers Area Health Service.
! Management representatives from the core funding
agencies.
! Trying to acquire a Many Rivers ATSIC Councillor.

Evaluation
! Evaluation occurs every 12 months covering topics
such as:
• The clients.
• Measurement of success.
• Issues.
• Description of the service.
• Discussion and recommendations.

Outcomes
! Some men have obtained full-time employment.
! Further funding required for expansion into the
following areas:
❋
❋
❋
Women’s group to run parallel with the men’s group.
Partner’s group.
Training for more facilitators.

Awards
! Silver Award in the 1999 NSW Premier's Public
Sector Award Program in the Category of
Services to Regional/Rural NSW.
! Certificate of Achievement (Semi-Finalist) in the
2000 CAPAM (Commonwealth Association for
Public Administration and Management)
International Innovations Awards Program.
! Certificate of Merit in the 2000 Australian Violence
Prevention Award Program.
! Two ATSIC awards in 2000.

Phascolarctos cinereus
Rekindling the Spirit
Greg Telford
Chris Binge
Anthony Franks