Meeting Minutes: Friday 8 November 2024
Meeting Minutes: Men's Consultation Group
Date: Friday 8th November 2024
Time: 3:30PM
Location: Wagga Wagga Council Chambers
Chairperson: Johanna Elms – Wagga Women’s Health Centre
Attendees: Dr. Joe McGirr, Joshua Pearson, Uncle Hewitt, Richard Foley, Rhys Cummings, Penny Stanbury, Johanna Elms, Craig Mansour, Dallas Tout, Michael McCormack, Tim Kurylowicz
Agenda
Next Steps Post-Forum
Advocacy by Men
Early Intervention Initiatives
Community Engagement Strategies
Cultural and Regional Considerations
Key Discussion Points
1. Advocacy by Men
Dr. Joe: Advocacy by men is crucial to shift the narrative from being a "women’s problem" to a men’s issue. Men must take responsibility to influence public debate and change attitudes and behaviours.
Emphasized the need for a dedicated group of men to discuss and address these issues, with potential contributions from military, sporting, and CLONTARF organizations.
2. Early Intervention Initiatives
Josh: New pilot project inspired by UK-based violence reduction models, focusing on earlier intervention for youth aged 6-18 years, including primary school students.
Reframing narratives and re-engaging youth in education.
Government’s direct involvement in data sharing and coordinated responses to youth violence.
Dallas Tout: Highlighted the importance of addressing early warning signs like educational disengagement and poor attendance, starting from early childhood.
3. Community Engagement Strategies
Richard Foley: Proposed the inclusion of a prison reform group and establishing a male health center. Suggested holding public speaking events to inspire action among men.
Rhys Cummings: Praised the forum for its impactful discussions and expressed interest in being part of a working group to broaden outreach.
Tim: Noted the importance of understanding men's behaviors when feeling disempowered and the need to engage them effectively where they are.
4. Cultural and Regional Considerations
Uncle Hewitt: Emphasized cultural grounding and the role of Aboriginal leaders. Suggested creating a culturally safe model for addressing these issues.
Dr. Joe: Advocated for focusing on Wagga Wagga specifically, with a culturally respectful approach to men’s and women’s business.
Craig Mansour: Highlighted opportunities to engage youth through schools and regional networks, leveraging TRAC’s extensive reach.
5. Public Discussion and Media Engagement
Michael McCormack: Addressed the societal nature of domestic violence, emphasizing the need for community-driven solutions. Recognized the forum as a groundbreaking step.
Proposed media partnerships to drive campaigns and change public discussions.
Subcommittee Proposal: Establish a media and communications subcommittee to work on public relations and campaign strategies.
Purpose and Outcomes
Purpose: Improving the safety and community well-being of Wagga Wagga through collaborative and culturally respectful initiatives.
Outcomes:
Develop a model for violence prevention specific to Wagga Wagga and its district.
Integrate the initiative into RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) with strong Aboriginal leadership.
Establish culturally safe practices, acknowledging traditional custodians.
Next Steps
Establish Subcommittee: Form a working group to engage media and partners.
Implementation Plan: Develop short-, medium-, and long-term strategies tailored to different age groups and community needs.
Resource Sharing: Use a collaborative platform (e.g., Google Docs or a wiki) for transparency and coordination.
Follow-Up Meeting: Schedule a Christmas meeting to review progress and set milestones for 2025 activities.
Meeting Adjourned: 4:29 PM.