Barran Men’s Yarn Up

Guided by lived experience and grounded in cultural strength, ‘Barran’ supports men to lead from a place of respect and resilience, balancing leadership, responsibility, and wellness.

Our workshop offers a space where all men can share and learn from ancient ways of being. Ways that centre respect, responsibility, discipline, justice, and most importantly connection to self, land, and each other.

What to expect:

• Welcome and Guided Site Tour
• Yarning circles and cleansing ceremony
• Story mapping on kangaroo skins
• Sharing lived experiences to empower each other
• Traditional song and dance
• Cultural practices that strengthen identity and belonging
• Practical coping skills for life’s challenges
• Linking ancient songlines to modern ways of learning, linked to the Bonyi Bonyi (Bunya nountains pathways)

What you’ll gain:

• Stronger relationships to self and culture
• A long lasting brotherhood and shared responsibilities
• Tools to navigate challenging moment’s and build resilience
• Renewal of spirit through land and Country
• Planned catch ups at significant cultural sites for learning and growth opportunities

Our WHAT, WHY and HOW

Building Strong Men, Strong Families, Strong Communities.

The “Barran” (boomerang) symbolises “Respect” in Gamilaraay. For thousands of generations, our old people looked to Yarraan-dhu (the Southern Cross) as a guiding constellation, using its position to navigate landscapes, travel to important destinations, and maintain balance with Country.

Today, we carry that same wisdom inward using respect as our compass to navigate relationships, choices, and wellness. Just as Yarraan-dhu guided our ancestors across land and sky, Barran guides how we walk in the world - grounded in culture, connected to purpose, and moving with intention toward a strong and balanced life.

The Barran Men’s Healing and Wellness Workshop empowers men to reflect, heal, and grow. Guided by The BLOCK Model and 4 Pillars of Empowerment, it strengthens identity, relationships, and leadership. Through culture, connection, and practical tools, men build resilience and purpose creating positive ripple effects for families and communities.

1. Self-Awareness and Emotional Mastery

BLOCK: Belonging, Love

4 Pillars: Responsibility, Discipline

Benefit: Understanding our emotions, triggers, and behaviours builds inner strength and guides better choices.

Daily Use: Reflect daily on how you’re feeling, name your emotions, and choose thoughtful responses over reactions.

2. Stronger Family and Relationship Bonds

BLOCK: Kinship, Love

4 Pillars: Respect, Responsibility

Benefit: Developing communication skills and emotional openness deepens trust and strengthens family connections.

Daily Use: Listen actively, speak honestly, and show up consistently for your loved ones.

3. Cultural and Spiritual Grounding

BLOCK: Culture/Community/Connection, Belonging

4 Pillars: Respect, Justice

Benefit: Reconnecting with ancestral knowledge, land, and story provides a strong sense of identity and belonging.

Daily Use: Spend time on Country, practise language, and share cultural teachings with younger generations.

4. Healing and Healthy Coping Tools

BLOCK: Opportunity, Belonging

4 Pillars: Discipline, Responsibility

Benefit: Learning strategies to manage stress, trauma, and pressure builds resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Daily Use: Use grounding practices, movement, journaling, or yarns to process challenges instead of internalising them.

5. Purpose and Direction in Life

BLOCK: Opportunity, Belonging

4 Pillars: Responsibility, Discipline

Benefit: The workshop helps men identify their strengths, values, and goals — creating a clearer path forward.

Daily Use: Set small, achievable goals, align daily actions with your values, and reflect on what gives your life meaning.

6. Positive Role Modelling and Leadership

BLOCK: Kinship, Opportunity

4 Pillars: Justice, Discipline

Benefit: Living with integrity and consistency inspires youth, peers, and community to walk their own healing journeys.

Daily Use: Lead by example, share your experiences, and actively support the growth of others.

7. Collective Strength and Community Empowerment

BLOCK: Culture/Community/Connection, Belonging

4 Pillars: Respect, Responsibility

Benefit: Strong men strengthen communities — creating safer, more supportive, and united environments for all.

Daily Use: Engage in community projects, check in on your brothers, and contribute to spaces that support collective growth.

Barran reminds us that growth continues beyond the workshop. By living BLOCK Model values and the 4 Pillars, men build stronger families and communities. Daily actions grounded in culture, respect, and responsibility deepen relationships, inspire others, and create lasting change - shaping a future led with strength, integrity, and purpose.

Also check out other Workshops in Cawdor, Health & Wellness events in Cawdor.