NGIYAMPAA man Anthony Hayward was searching for a way to stay socially connected outside of the pub, having given up drinking 11 months ago.
He also wanted to bring Aboriginal men throughout the Broken Hill community together in a healthy and safe environment so they could catch up outside of sorry business.
“I saw on Facebook a walking group for Aboriginal men in Sydney,” he said “and thought Broken Hill needs something like that. So, I put the feelers out and people were interested.”
Between 10 and 20 men gather at Sturt Park early on Friday mornings to walk laps of the park and share yarns.
Among the regular walkers is Sheldon Hall who helps run the Clontarf Foundation program at the Broken Hill High School.
The aim of Clontarf is to encourage learning, discipline and self esteem in young Aboriginal men and boys. It started 24 years ago in Clontarf, Western Australia and now operates in 168 schools throughout the nation.
Mr Hall said the walking group comprised everyone from school students to working men.
“We’ve got about 10 here today,” he said, “but we’ve had as many as 21 when the schoolboys come along.”
“There’s always a few missing because they’re on the roster at the mine. But it’s good. We all mingle and have a yarn, and the boys get to engage with the community.”
Another keen member of the group is Darren Pedersen, who said he liked to go for a walk every morning.
“It’s good for you,” he said “gets the blood circulating, but Fridays are the best because you get to socialise with boys as well and have a laugh.”
After doing three laps of the park they continue down the street for a cup of coffee before heading off refreshed to work or school.
Mr Hayward said he believes the reason the group sees recurring attendance is that it wasn’t created with any intended agenda, other than to gather and strengthen community.
“It’s a community led initiative; we really want our own community to strengthen itself, and this is a way we can do it,” he said.
“Breaking the cycles of social pressures in small and remote communities can be extremely hard. So something like this that builds community away from partaking in alcohol is great, it’s something to look forward to each week.”
