Culture, connection and cooking up a storm – Tim spends the week on Country in the Northern Territory
The Australian Men’s Shed Association is passionate about supporting sheds across Australia. And we really do mean all sheds – no matter how remote.
Tim Kroehn, our Shed Support Officer for South Australia and the Northern Territory, was recently honoured with an official invite from Elders to spend the week on Country with Thamarrurr Men’s Shed.
Based in Wadeye, a six and a half hour drive from Darwin, Thamarrurr is already one of our most isolated Men’s Sheds.
But their Men’s Wellness Camp took them a further hour out to the coast of Fossil Head, and far away from internet and phone reception.
“We were that remote we actually ran off WA time in the Northern Territory,” Tim said.
“I think I once had reception for about 3 minutes. It was great, especially for the young fellas.”
With a large proportion of First Nations peoples, Thamarrurr Men’s Shed organises regular events and workshops that allow men to explore and celebrate their cultural heritage.
But this camp was the first event on this scale, with 45 to 50 men, aged from 16 all the way through to 90, attending across the four days. Three to four different clans were involved, and they had a visit from Daly River Men’s Shed – about two hours away by dirt roads.
The camp provided an opportunity for men of different ages and communities to connect, share experiences, have conversations about mental wellbeing and support one another away from the pressures of everyday life.
Activities included wood carving, painting, crafting traditional fishing spears, playing the guitar and singing. Fishing for catfish, barramundi, salmon and stingray was also a popular activity.
“Lots of exploring was done of the coastline and plenty of good food was eaten together around the fire,” Tim said.
AMSA was glad to support the camp, alongside members of the NT Men’s Shed Association.
They were also joined by CatholicCare NT’s NO MORE program working against domestic and family violence by encouraging ‘upstanders instead of bystanders’, as well as those participating in youth diversion programs aiming to keep at risk young men away from court and prison.
“It was a great example of organisations working together to support men’s wellness,” Tim said.
Tim made sure to make himself useful, ending up as a truck driver and cook.
But it was his first time seeing a stingray cooked, after a successful fishing haul.
“Just seeing it cut up was quite interesting,” he said. “They just cut it up in squares, wrapped it in al foil and put it right inside the fire. It was quite simple actually.”
“I was pretty keen to get a wallaby but nah we couldn’t, they were too fast for us. We tried. Got to have something for next time!”
And indeed, with its great success, plans have already begun for another camp in six months’ time, possibly based closer to Daly River Men’s Shed.
“Young fellas could see that some of their mates could probably enjoy it as well, to just get back to Country and get away from their phones,” Tim said.
The region must have a special place in Tim’s heart, because he keeps being drawn back.
“I’ve been out there a few times now,” he said.
“The previous trip I did out to Wadeye about three months ago, I actually brought some Shedders from Darwin and Palmeston with me. That’s when I received the official invite from the Elders.
Tim’s key takeaway from the camp? “Just getting off the technology and out on Country – that made everyone engage a lot better,” he said.
“One thing they are really trying to rebuild through the Thamarrurr Men’s Shed is the respect for Elders. We started seeing that more with the young people really engaging with their Elders during the camp.”
“We had a really good session on Thursday where we sat down for a good hour or two where we spoke about what’s happening in your community, what’s happening in your home, and what do you think you could do better.”
As always AMSA is thankful for the opportunity support the great work Men’s Sheds are doing across Australia – in all its great variety!