Run by Aboriginal Medical Service and in partnership with Oolong House, the group undertakes a number of activities from TAFE classes to retreats and camps.

Jarmbies is an Aboriginal word for ‘brother’.

At Nowra TAFE on Tuesdays a group of around 10 to 12 Aboriginal men gather for a time of theoretical learning, followed by hand-on work.

The group is presently getting an introduction to carpentry, but has also learnt about safe food handling and kitchen skills recently.

Shane Friend from AMS said during carpentry the men had learned many practical skills.

“They have made a few garden beds, which later we will do gardening with, toolboxes and fishing rod holders,” he said.

“We have also been working on literacy and numeracy. It’s designed to be hands on to help with employment.

“The most rewarding part is seeing someone’s finished project.”

The Jarmbies also meet on a Wednesday, at different locations depending on the activity, to do workshops on health, domestic violence, smoking cessation, drugs and alcohol and mental health.

“We also support clients through the courts,” Mr Friend said.

Jarmbies also meets in Batemans Bay on a Thursday to promote health, education and social wellbeing.

TAFE teacher Bob Brown said the routine of the classroom was a positive thing for the group.

“Being in a classroom can seem a bit foreign as a lot of us are hand on people,” he said.

“It’s good though as we are going over a lot of skills that may have been lost or never had in the first place.”

He also said it the most important thing for him was to be a role model.

Student Kerry Longbottom from Nowra said the course had increased their self-assurance.

“It’s giving us confidence,” he said.

TAFE teacher Mark Willers agreed.

“You [the men] are leaders,” he said.

“That’s the beauty of it.”

The men also take part in regular cultural camps and healing camps in partnership with Oolong.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the group can phone Shane Friend on 0422 233 296.