Our Story
Since 2007, Mibbinbah has been bringing communities together to create safe spaces for healing, empowerment, celebration, education and training.
We were originally founded as a health promotion charity, delivering programs to support the health and wellbeing of First Nation males - a group that continues to face stark inequalities when compared to non-Indigenous Australians.
Today, our programs have evolved to include a ‘whole of community’ audience.
We welcome First Nations and non-Indigenous people from all walks of life, right across Australia. This approach is a reflection of the First Nations view on health; that it is holistic and inclusive not just of physical wellbeing, but social and cultural determinants.
Across many of our First Nations cultures, the idea of ‘good health’ isn’t just about individuals - it is collective. The community’s health is inseparable from the wellbeing of every person in it. At Mibbinbah, we believe that if we are to achieve genuine healing and equality for First Nations people and their communities, everyone must come together to play a part.
The meaning of Mibbinbah
Our name, Mibbinbah, comes from the Eastern Yugambeh language, meaning “Men’s Place” or “Eagle’s Place.” Just as the eagle soars high with a clear vision of the land below, Mibbinbah strives to elevate our communities, enabling them to rise above their challenges and reclaim their rightful place in society.
Our Values
Culture
We honour the wisdom and traditions of our ancestors, embedding cultural understanding in everything we do.
Respect
We approach every community and individual with the utmost respect for their identity, journey, and unique contributions.
Gratitude
We celebrate the strength and resilience of our people and are grateful for the opportunity to walk with them on their path to healing.
The Proper Way
The “Proper Way” is at the heart of Mibbinbah’s programs. It is a methodology rooted in First Nations knowledge and practices that ensures our programs are delivered in culturally sensitive and respectful ways. Our approach is holistic, recognising that healing does not happen in isolation—it requires the collective support of families, communities, and allies. We create spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can connect, reflect, and grow together. Our workshops and gatherings are designed to empower participants, celebrate culture, and facilitate healing through shared stories, experiences, and knowledge.
Our Mob
Jack Bulman
Co-founder & CEO
Since co-founding Mibbinbah as a cooperative research project in 2008, Jack has dedicated his career to advancing the health, wellbeing, and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Under his leadership, Mibbinbah has grown into a nationally recognised powerhouse for First Nations healing and representation. As a sought-after speaker and facilitator, Jack supports communities in strengthening cultural connections, fostering leadership, and creating a stronger, more united future.
Lisa Bulman
Lead Facilitator
A Gunditjmara woman who loves working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia to strengthen health, social, and emotional wellbeing. Lisa partners with communities and organisations to address pressing issues such as depression, anxiety, and local health challenges. She is a strong advocate for culturally grounded solutions that reflect the strengths and needs of First Nations peoples.
Christina Grant
Partnerships Manager
Christina Grant is a marketing and communications strategist with experience across both commercial and not-for-profit sectors. She is passionate about creating opportunities that enable creative and social enterprises to thrive and achieve commercial success. At Mibbinbah, Christina helps to find partners and opportunities that amplify our impact and share Mibbinbah’s story with a wider audience.
Advisory Group
Professor Kerry Arabena
Advisor
A Meriam Celtic woman, Professor Kerry Arabena trained as a social worker and holds a Doctorate in Environmental Science. She has held senior national leadership roles including Chair of Indigenous Health at the University of Melbourne, Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, and Chief Executive Officer of the Lowitja Institute. Kerry is Managing Director of Karabena Consulting, Ilan Style and First 1000 Days Australia. Her work advances Indigenous self-determination, economic participation and intergenerational wellbeing through culturally grounded leadership and enterprise development. A wife, mother and grandmother, Kerry values time with family and friends and enjoys life on her farm in country Victoria
Dr Rick Hayes
Founding Member
and First Chair
Rick acknowledges his family’s heritage with the Brothertown Indian Tribe of New York and Wisconsin. With his research and practice partner, Jack Bulman, he has been engaged in research relating to Indigenous men, men’s sheds/spaces and health for a number of years. He is a leading researcher on non-pathologising approaches to men’s health in Australia. Rick’s work has repeatedly shown that men, in safe and well-facilitated groups associated with their networks, can and will talk about and engage their health related concerns.
Professor Megan Williams
Advisor
Professor Williams is a Wiradjuri descendent with qualifications in human services, social science and public health, with 20 years’ experience combining service delivery with research. She is the Principal and Founder of Yulang Indigenous Evaluation, an Aboriginal led consultancy. Megan has mixed-methods research experience among Aboriginal service providers, and people with multiple health and wellbeing issues. Megan is also experienced in research translation, drawing out insights from research for educators, health planners and policy makers. Megan is a research partner of First Peoples’ Disability Network and Mibbinbah health promotion charity, and is active in the #JustJustice social journalism for health project publishing examples of Aboriginal-led solutions to over-incarceration.
Dr Mark Wenitong
Medical Advisor
Dr Mark Wenitong is from the Kabi Kabi tribal group of south Queensland. He is currently working as a Medical Advisor at the Apunipima Cape York Health Council in Cairns. As Medical Advisor, Mark’s role is to provide strategic leadership, research translation into practice, support and advice to the Board, CEO and senior management team. Mark completed his degree in medicine at the Newcastle University Medical School in 1995 and was the third Aboriginal male to become a doctor. After his basic clinical training in Newcastle, Mark began his medical career working in community development with World Vision and also spent time working in Central Australia. Mark has worked as Senior Medical Officer at Wuchopperen Health Services in Cairns for nine years; acting CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation in primary health care on Oekusi during the East Timor conflict; and as Medical Advisor for the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in Canberra. Dr Wenitong is a past President and founder of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association and is a member of several state and national advisory committees. Mark is committed to improving the health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia through community control. He is interested in primordial prevention, social and emotional well-being, early childhood, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander chronic disease, microbiome, epigenetics, refugee health and prison health.