Indigenous fathers and father-figures

Craig Hammond, Community Worker at The Family Action Centre, has been a major driving factor in the development of the Indigenous Fathers programs.

In 2001, Craig came to his role with the Engaging Fathers Program (Indigenous) with extensive experience in the Aboriginal community in paid and voluntary positions. For many years previous Craig had worked with young people as a youth worker in Awabakal Aboriginal Newcastle Co-op. In this role he developed programs suited to the youth of today to deal with issues such as suicide awareness, recreation, culture camps, and drug and alcohol use.

Craig liaises with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations to develop support for the young people and to work with them, rather than for or against them.

Over the last three years in his work with the Engaging Fathers Program, Craig has been involved in the development and delivery of many initiatives to support Indigenous dads and display the many positive images and ideas they bring with them in their strengths as men.

The resources and programs include: Skills and Strengths of Indigenous Dads, Uncles, Pops and Brothers DVD; Indigenous Fathers poster set; Young Aboriginal Fathers report; the Indigenous Fathers as Mentors project; and the Brothers Inside program.

Although having seen many positive changes in the way the community thinks about the roles that men play, Craig intends to continue his work in this area to further support and celebrate Indigenous men and dads.

More information on the Brothers Inside and SNAICC programs can be found at the Indigenous Programs pages.

Craig recently completed the DVD project So Now You're A Dad. In the DVD, aimed at first-time Indigenous fathers, men from all walks of life candidly discuss their mixed feelings, from fear for their partner's health to their sense of joy at becoming a father. These dads all embrace fatherhood and demonstrate the strengths and skills that helped them through this emotionally draining but exhilerating moment in their lives.

This collaborative project was coordinated by Craig and funded by UnitingCare Burnside, a member of the UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families Services of UnitingCare NSW/ACT.