The G-TEAM…

Ken Zulumovski, Director of Gamarada

Ken is a descendent of the Kabi Kabi nation. He is a graduate of the Djurawang Health Sciences (Mental Health) program at Charles Sturt University. He is a lecturer at the Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit of the University of New South Wales School of Public Health and Community Medicine. In this role he is investigating strengths in social and emotional well-being programs for Indigenous youth (though a FaHCSIA funded project which is a collaboration between UNSW and James Cook University, Qld).  

 He is a co-founder and Chair of Gamarada Indigenous Healing and Life Training Ltd based in Redfern, NSW. This organization delivers free healing and life skills programs to Indigenous men and youth; and works to improve access to justice and reduce incarceration rates by creating links between legal, health, and community services. In 2010 Gamarada was recognized by NSW Department of Premiere and Cabinet with an Excellence Award for Building Leadership in Indigenous communities. Ken also developed and manages Gamarada’s Parental and Community Engagement Program, which aims to engage male parents and careers in the schooling of their children aged 0-19.

John Ogden

John was born in South Australia into a big Anglo Irish clan. When his mother died in 2006, John went looking for his grandfather, a man his mother and her 4 siblings had never met. John eventually found out that he has Irish, and possibly Palawa heritage and believes this may in part explain his interest in Aboriginal issues since the 1970’s. With a background in filmmaking, writing and publishing, John has joined Gamarada to help in the Biyanga Naminma (fathers to show) project to help assist Aboriginal fathers engage with their children.

 David Leha  

A little about myself, if I may. In my last prison sentence 10 years ago for Malicious Wounding, I spent 11 months in solitary due to my violent behaviour. 



My journey began to accelerate 3 years ago. First, I completed the Probation and Parole Walking Together program. I then regularly attended the Kirradan Mens’ group at the AMS and formed my own Act, Radical Sun. I joined the Babana Men’s group and recently graduated from a Gamarada Healing Trainer program and am currently enrolled in a Certificate IV in training.

Gratitude and appreciation is the way I best express how I feel for the support I have been given. I would like to share how I have learnt to control my destructive rage and anger, turning negative to positive, using techniques such as Dadirri (Aboriginal Bunjuling language for going inside), breathing and anger release techniques to control my energy and to create a whole new life for myself.

 To see a video of David presenting Gamarada info at the Babana / Walking Together Joint venture daick on the link below …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5CvMmbqmRo  

What others have to say about David:

”David did the Trainer Gamarada program with me and other brothers. His dedication, his humility and his sheer size can have a profound effect on people. When he talks, people listen.

– Shane Phillips, CEO Tribal Warrior Association.

“The session that Dave conducted for Kirradan men’s group was incredible. He has an uncanny ability to connect with people, using his own personal experience and humility, to gain the men’s attention and respect. His passion for serving people, his humility and the profound nature of what he says and how he says it is inspiring. Additionally, he is a talented entertainer with his own solo Act, Radical Son, and has been nominated for 2 deadly Aboriginal Awards”

– Ken Zulumovski, Worker in the field of Aboriginal mental health and social and emotional well being for 10 years. 

“I have seen David develop over time, into a man who has the capacity and ability to make a huge positive impact on people, especially those with drug, alcohol and anger issues, because this is what he has overcome’

– Albert Torrens, Aboriginal Client Liaison Officer, Walking Together program.

‘I’m really really impressed with David’s presentation and the energy he gives to his presentation. What he’s doing has the capacity to make a big difference in the lives of many men in need of help”

– Neil Power, Care Connect.

“David’s presentation imbued the group sitting in the circle with strong power”

– Don Clark, Treasurer Babana.