More than 60 men from across Northern Australia gathered in Kununurra this week for two days of conversations about healing, culture, leadership and the future they want to create for themselves, their families and their communities.

The Stronger In Our Way Men's Forum, held at the Waringarri Men's Space on November 10 and 11, brought together men, Elders, community leaders and service providers to explore men's strengths, aspirations and pathways forward.

Organised by Kununurra Waringarri Aboriginal Corporation (KWAC) and Gawooleng Yawoodeng Aboriginal Corporation (GY), and co-facilitated by Darryl Gardiner from Rolling with the Punches, the forum aimed to create a safe and respectful space for men to share experiences, build connections and access support.

Acting Waringarri Programs Manager Kirsten Hunter said the gathering was an opportunity to connect men with services available in their community, particularly those who might otherwise struggle to access support.

The program encouraged men to hear from others who had made positive changes in their lives, helping participants recognise they were not alone and creating an environment free from judgement.

Gardiner, a Wiradjuri man from southwestern New South Wales, has worked alongside Waringarri and GY over the past two years on initiatives supporting men and addressing domestic and family violence.

He said Kununurra had significant challenges but also a strong appetite for change, with local men increasingly taking leadership roles in their community.

"There are some incredibly strong and powerful men here in the community," Mr Gardiner said.

Mr Gardiner said it was important that conversations about men's behaviour were balanced with discussions about identity, achievement and positive opportunities.

He said many other programs focused heavily on disadvantage and what was going wrong, rather than recognising the strengths already within communities.

"You come away from that just feeling like you've been flogged and you just think, 'Oh man, it's exhausting to be an Aboriginal person these days'," Mr Gardiner said.

Instead, the forum incorporated discussions around employment, education, industry, financial management and health services, alongside opportunities to hear from successful local men, including a Kununurra man who represented Australia as an Olympic weightlifter.

"We've brought in men to talk about achievement rather than bringing people in just to talk about deficit," Mr Gardiner said.

Mr Gardiner said one of the most encouraging aspects of the ongoing forums was seeing men return and put what they had learned into practice.

Having facilitated three Waringarri forums this year, he said there was a growing appetite for opportunities, knowledge and connection.

"By the third forum, not only are you familiar with them and they're comfortable in your presence, but they're talking about things that happened at the last forum or the one before and things that they've now implemented at home," Mr Gardiner said.

"And that's the work."

Mr Gardiner encouraged men who might feel hesitant about attending to recognise the potential of simply coming along.

"Opportunities that are created through forums like that are, without overselling it, can be life-changing," he said.

"It's an opportunity to change your future, to change the future of your children, to come along and connect with people that can give you a leg up."

The forum also provided opportunities to connect with employment and training providers through a pathways and employment expo.

Tuesday evening's free community celebration welcomed families, children, Elders and friends to the Waringarri Grounds and Men's Space.

The event featured a community feed provided by Black Hawk Tours, traditional Waringarri dancers from Waringarri Aboriginal Arts and a live performance by Peter Brandy.

Mr Gardiner said opening the celebration to the wider community was an opportunity to recognise the region's rich cultural identity.

"It's about bringing community together and celebrating the rich and vibrant culture that's so alive with the Mirriwong people here in the East Kimberley," he said.

Mr Gardiner also highlighted the importance of supporting younger generations through initiatives such as Waringarri's interim Kununurra Youth Night Space, which provides a safe place for young people between 10pm and 4am.

He said the positive conversations and relationships developed through the men's forum could also benefit younger people through early intervention and positive role modelling.

Ms Hunter said the night space had received encouraging community feedback since beginning operations three months ago, with work continuing towards establishing a permanent facility.

Mr Gardiner credited Waringarri and GY for their commitment to creating opportunities for men and bringing the community together.

"The opportunities like this are only made possible through the coordination and planning and diligence and determination of the organisations to put them together," he said.

"You can't grow an apple tree without putting some water on it."