History of Pathways in WA

In early 2000 Rohin Burns heard of Pathways after joining a men's group in Margaret River and being involved in "rite-of-passage" weekends. That same year, Geoff Price invited him to attend the 2000 ANZ Men's Leadership Gathering in Tasmania where he met Dr Arne Rubenstein, Bere, Alan Rudner, Paul Henley, Geoff Price and Ranald Allan, who had the shared vision of making the 'Pathways to Manhood' program available to all boys. He was then invited to participate in the August 2000 Pathways to Manhood camp in Mullumbimby, NSW  which happened to coincide with the Olympics.  Inspired and 'hooked', he returned to WA determined to get Pathways operating in that state. After a lot of work the first Pathways camp was held in July 2001 in Margaret River with Arne Rubenstein and Rohin co-facilitating and Steve Tribbeck and Dave Frost assisting. At the 2001 WA Men's Gathering, Rohin and Dave Frost were inspired to continue offering the Pathways program in WA. For the next few years, Rohin and Dave devoted a major part of their lives to planning and running camps. There was considerable support in a variety of forms from a number of elders in the community who have, for some time, appreciated the importance of a formalised rite-of-passage for boys. In particular, the MensWork Project has played a very important 'mentoring' role and continues to do so.

By mid 2007, nine camps had been held in WA with more than a hundred boys going through the Pathways to Manhood camps. The demand has increased significantly and these camps are full several months ahead.

There have been many men and women involved in a volunteer capacity during this time, with Rohin continuing to be heavily involved. Over the time the position of WA regional coordinator has been filled by Dave Frost, Graeme Grose and Brian Webb. Pathways in WA has continually been supported by the Menswork Project, senior men in the 'men's movement' in WA, and various sponsors.

More people became interested in being involved, many of them fathers and mothers of boys who had gone through the camp and who had experienced first-hand, the real value and importance of them.

The camps have mostly been held at a bush setting in Mundaring. One camp was held in Chidlow near the Somerville Eco Village.

The Pathways Foundation has developed a powerful and rigourous training program for leaders. By 2007 WA had more than 10 male leaders and 5 women leaders.