Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers, father-figures, pops and uncles
Craig Hammond, Community Worker at The Family Action Centre, has been a major driving factor in the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 (links at left).
Fathers and Families research at the Family Action Centre covers father-inclusive practice, attachment theory, and the examines the competencies and capacity-building that support fatherhood.