Culture and connection create pathways to recovery

Paricipants at the Maranguka Men’s Cultural Day at Mount Gundabook on Wednesday 2 September. Photo: Ian Cole

Story: Kristin Murdock and Ian Cole

Culture, connection and lived experience came together at Gundabooka this week as Bourke men were encouraged to see that there are pathways out of drug and alcohol addiction – and people ready to help them take the first step.

The men’s cultural day was organised by Maranguka’s Brian Smith and brought representatives from ‘The Glen’ drug and alcohol rehabilitation service together with local men for a day combining culture, conversation, and education.

Mr Smith said the idea developed through conversations with Bourke man Shane Knight, whose own journey through The Glen showed what could be achieved.

“I think that reaching out, getting people from The Glen out here to help our mob get professional help is a must, and a benefit to our community,” he said.

Mr Smith stressed the visit was not about replacing services already available in Bourke, but showing men there were additional pathways they could follow.

“Shane’s a good example,” Mr Smith said. “He got clean and sober and now he’s been a part of The Glen for 11 years and he wanted to give a little bit back to Bourke.”

The Glen has particularly strong links to Bourke. It was established on the NSW Central Coast by Cyril Hennessy, a Malyangapa man who grew up in Bourke and worked as a prison and parole officer. The service was created after he saw people with addiction and trauma repeatedly returning to prison without those underlying problems being addressed.

For Mr Knight, bringing The Glen back to his home town carried particular significance.

He spoke about his own experiences with drugs and alcohol and the process of rebuilding his life.

“I lived in Bourke most of my life, and I was a part of the destruction of the community and used drugs and alcohol,” Mr Knight said. “I lost my identity.” […]

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