Oral Presentation (max 20 mins including Q&A) National Men's Health Gathering 2025

On-Country Excursions: Strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males’ Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Very Remote Australia (129074)

Cameron Stokes 1 , Bryce Brickley 1 , Celina Gaweda 1 , John Bonson 2 , Karla Canuto 1 , Alex Brown 3 , Michael Wright 4 , Graham Gee 5 , Mark Wenitong 6 , Gary Wittert 7 , James A. Smith 1 , Andrew Vincent 8 , Stephen Harfield 9 , Jacob Prehn 10 , Kootsy Canuto 1
  1. College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Casuarina, NT, Australia
  2. Mamulbak, Nauiyu, NT, Australia
  3. Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
  4. Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
  5. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  6. Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Bungalow, QLD, Australia
  7. University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  8. Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  9. University of Queensland Poche Centre & School of Public Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  10. University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia

Background and objectives: In Nauiyu, a remote community of ~350 people, a men’s group was formed to support Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) under the Enough Talk, Time for Action (ETTA) Research Program. This presentation explores the men’s group’s implementation, on-Country excursions, and their impacts on SEWB.

Methods: This co-designed study followed Aboriginal Participatory Action Research (APAR) principles, with a continuous quality improvement approach. Co-designers were Nauiyu males, Green River Aboriginal Corporation, Mamulbak, Daly River Buffaloes Football Club, Top End Regional Health Service and Flinders University. A weekly men’s group was facilitated by Mamulbak (local Indigenous organisation) and guided by a local men's research Governance Group. Men's SEWB narratives were explored via semi-structured interviews in 2023 and 2024, with questions aligned to SEWB model components (Gee et al., 2013). Synthesised interview data underwent thematic network analysis.

Results: Over three years, strong relationships and partnerships were formed with local men, health, sporting and community-controlled organisations. In 2024, the men’s group held its first on-Country excursion with support from community organisations and service providers. Participants valued on-Country excursions for reflection, bonding, and cultural connection, whilst fostering intergenerational learning, strengthening connections to culture, community, and kin, and providing a positive outlet to escape community conflict. Interview data indicated that participating in the men's group and on-Country excursions resulted in improvements in SEWB via strengthened connections to Country, community and culture.

Discussion: This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led approach focused on building strong relationships with community members and organisations through closeness, visibility, and deep consultation. There were high engagement costs due to the community’s remoteness, seasonal flooding and periods of community unrest, although the impact of this work was significant. This approach offers insights for health promotion in similar Indigenous and remote contexts worldwide.