Didgeri: Local Collective Response by Anthony Newcastle

 

This Friday afternoon video describes the work around Didgeri which began as a regular opportunity for Aboriginal men and young men to learn to play the didgeridoo, yet grew into a local collective initiative to help give voice in support of men who had experienced sexual abuse in their youth.

This video describes how Didgeri became involved in the No More Campaign and what has been made possible among participants of Didgeri as a result of their involvement in such a collective action initiative.

 

 

Anthony Newcastle is the owner and principle facilitator of Natjul Indigenous Performing Arts, an Aboriginal owned and managed facilitation company that uses Theatre for Change as an engagement method incorporating theatre, drama and story-telling elements to Engage, Explore and Express around the challenges in our lives.

An Aboriginal man originally from the Northern Territory, Anthony has lived in five states and worked with Aboriginal groups or communities in regional, urban and remote Australia.

Anthony has a background in community development strongly influenced by two experiential learning visits to India as part of Community Aid Abroad exchange tours.

A didgeridoo player, actor, playwright and cross-cultural awareness programme facilitator, Anthony has worked with government, the community and corporate sectors to develop and deliver cultural competency training and team building.

Having graduated from the Masters in Narrative Therapy and Community Work, Anthony is an accredited counsellor and conflict resolution facilitator who continues to work across community, among families, men and young men.

Anthony’s philosophy when engaging with groups around challenging issues in their lives is “those who have to live with the outcomes should be the ones making the decisions”.

Published September 29, 2017

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. David George

    Thanks Anthony… we use this practise as trauma victims… as an international group. We create music from you-tube and just pass it around… the healing power of notes, mates, and first learning to trust is priceless… our issues and concerns are universal. My grand-dad was an aboriginal of Great Britain and spoke our language as a first language. Five of his grand-kids moved into the sex trade, four of them boys. Their father saw battle at sea at the age of 16.

    We have a lot of cleaning up to do. It all helps to share… to learn, to grow. Diolch yn fawr… thanks you so much, deeply…

  2. Kylie Dowse

    Dear Anthony,

    Thank you for providing insight into the sparkling work of ‘Didgeri’ and the ‘No More’ campaign. I really appreciate the careful construction of the group, and the way you highlighted your own mindfulness around men attending ‘freely’.

    It stood out as important that your approach highlights the ongoing implementation and effects of colonising practices. As a saltwater Aboriginal woman I am similarly interested in redressing the past tense of various abuses often used, and the resistance our people continue to demonstrate.

    The possibilities created through ‘men engaging differently’ in ‘counselling for non-counsellors’ provides great hope, as our communities respond to the status to which non-Indigenous Australian policies and practices have served to relegate our mob. It sparks thoughts about my own community, and the ‘non-counsellors’ who live here, often tasked with the duty of being a ‘go-to’ person. How might your approach be transported and adopted here? You’ve given me much to think about.

    This is profound practice, rich with strong stories shared across countries. So much can be drawn from your sharing of this particular yarn, please accept and pass on my gratitude to the men of Didgeri.

    Warmly,
    Kylie Dowse

    1. Carolynanha Johnson

      HI Anthony,
      Thanks for sharing this with us. A topic which still seems taboo in our community. You have created space for conversations that invite men to talk about the effects of the trauma. I love the idea of counselling ways for non counsellors. You have highlighted language being important and with what you have created here, that has been one of your focuses. Getting people in community to talk differently to each other in a language that is uplifting and encouraging, but still acknowledging of the struggles. Are you able to give me the name of that person you quoted for the domestic violence of women. I also appreciated that for my work. Keep up the good work Anthony. We are building an enormous Aboriginal Narrative Therapy empire which has tremendous opportunities and outcomes for healing for our people across this country.

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